Strikers Impress Against Olympic
Words: Michael Flynn
Rhys Meredith delivered a double against his former club as Brisbane Strikers stormed to a 6-0 win over Olympic FC in the BLK Silver Boot on Tuesday.
Meredith scored either side of half-time for Strikers, adding to further goals from Jesse Weimers, Alistair Davis, Jake Marshall and Greig Henslee.
Olympic finished the match with ten men after Robert Irving was dismissed in the second half.
Strikers dominated for extended periods but it was Olympic that saw the first chance when veteran striker Tim Smits saw an early trademark header saved by Striker's goalkeeper Michael Weier.
Meredith was denied by a pair of telling saves from Olympic shot-stopper Brandon Cuminao before Weimers delivered the opener as the half approached it's close – the recently announced re-signing turning the ball in on the counter attack after being found by Shelford Dais.
Strikers doubled their advantage only minutes later when Michael Angus won possession in midfield and released Meredith who delivered a clinical low finish to open his account.
Olympic threatened after the restart but were unable to take advantage as Mark Fisk saw his shot skim the crossbar from close range.
Meredith responded by securing his brace midway through the half after delivering a cultured finish to a cross from exciting Strikers’ youth prospect Tom Ross.
Two minutes later substitute Alistair Davis effectively secured the win with a sliding finish at the back post to a byline cross from Fraser Hills.
Another goal beckoned for Strikers only minutes later, however Shelford Dais was brought down by last defender Irving as he closed in on goal to receive his marching orders.
Strikers took advantage of the extra man from set pieces in the final ten minutes – Marshall and Henslee both heading home to round out the result.
The win is the third straight for Strikers in their pre-season preparations and marks a second straight pre-season loss for their opponents.
Olympic will look improve when they line-up against another PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues opponent, Gold Coast City, on Saturday in the Macron Cup pre-season tournament.
Strikers return next Tuesday in the BLK Silver Boot against Brisbane Premier League club Logan Lightning.
BLK Silver Boot (Group A)
Tuesday, January 19
Lions Stadium, Brisbane
Olympic FC 0
Brisbane Strikers FC 6 (Jesse WEIMERS 36’, Rhys MEREDITH 40’ 72’, Alistair DAVIS 74’, Jake MARSHALL 83’, Greig HENSLEE 85’)
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