Words: Matt Dorman, Olympic FC
Image: Alannah Pearson, Olympic FC

Reigning NPL Queensland MVP Tim Smits fired Olympic FC to a 2-1 win over league-leaders Redlands United on Saturday night to move the Champions into the top three.

Smits struck twice in two second-half minutes at Goodwin Park to hand the hosts a vital victory despite conceding a Graham Fyfe penalty in stoppage time.

Following last weekend’s 4-4 draw away to Moreton Bay United and the absences of key pair Terry Hughes and Reuben Way, Olympic sought greater solidity in their eleven as Darren Gray and Luke Howell formed a midfield partnership while George Barbarouses also started against his former side.

The home side almost had an ideal start when, in the 7th minute, Danny Byrne smashed a shot into the underside of the crossbar, however the assistant referee ruled it had not crossed the line.

Despite the close call, it was Redlands who should have grabbed the lead 10 minutes later.

Young Olympic ‘keeper Brandon Cuminao had made a confident claim early in proceedings but a high United cross to the back post this time evaded him, where it was nodded backwards by Russell Woodruffe. Midfielder Michael Lee was first to the knock-down but drilled his half-volley over with the entire goal his aim.

While the visitors looked the more dangerous in the opening 25 minutes, Olympic wrestled back the majority of possession for the remainder of the half but only produced one true test, in the 39th minute, for Redlands ‘keeper Andrew Ralph.

A ball only half-cleared was met first-time by Byrne, but the captain’s side-footed effort was tipped full-stretch by Ralph around the post to keep the fixture scoreless at the break.

The next chance for either side came just two minutes after the restart and was almost a carbon copy of that which preceded it.

Smits spread a pass wide to Byrne on the left who again curled a low shot toward the far post, but Ralph conjured an even better save to continue a frustrating night for the scorer of 20 NPL Queensland goals last term.

In the 69th minute, though, the deadlock was finally broken.

A pass was again sprayed to Byrne occupying good space on the left and this time the attacker opted to cross for Smits, whose artfully opened his body and side-foot volleyed a finish past Ralph to make it 1-0.

Within two minutes it was 2-0.

Smits this time did the bulk of the work on his own, shrugging off Redlands defenders Cam Draper and Scott after bringing the ball down. Ralph came out to block the striker’s first attempt but Smits wouldn’t be denied, continuing to scrap inside the penalty area and eventually seizing on the loose ball to completely change the complexion of the game in a matter of moments.

Neither time really threatened for the remaining 15 minutes of normal time outside of a Fyfe header striking the outside of the upright, though the veteran did get his name on to the scoresheet deep into stoppage time.

Redlands pushed numbers forward and won a penalty after fullback Adam Chandler drew contact from Cuminao inside the penalty area, allowing Fyfe to stroke home in the third minute of added time.

The goal failed to affect where the points were headed though as Smits’ star turn was enough for Olympic FC to inflict a second defeat on the Cleveland-based outfit, meaning Matt Chandler’s side slipped to second at the conclusion of Saturday night.

Dual trophy holders Olympic meanwhile could finish the round in third depending on Moreton Bay’s result away to Northern Fury on Sunday.

Olympic FC 2 (Tim SMITS 69′ 71′)
Redlands United 1 (Graham FYFE 90+3′)