Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Sam Flanagan
Images: Patrick Kearney

Three second half goals have seen Olympic FC end their five match losing streak – defeating SWQ Thunder 3-2 at Goodwin Park.

The visitors held a single goal lead at half-time with Mustafa Jafari opening accounts against his former club, however the hosts fought back to level terms via defender Liam O’Bryan midway through the second half – his second goal in as many weeks.

Two goals in the final ten minutes sealed the win as Matthew Heath edged the hosts ahead before Ramone Close delivered his first goal for his new club to effectively seal the win.

Jafari found late consolation by converting from the penalty spot to round out his brace – his first multiple goal haul in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues.

The win ends a club record losing streak for Olympic in the national second tier and moves them six points clear of bottom of the table Northern Fury.

For Thunder, the result sees them still searching for their first ever away win in the league.

Key Moments

27’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Thomas Fanning floats in a free kick from wide on the left that Mustafa Jafari has no problem heading home

30’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Danny Byrne chips a pass over the top for Ramone Close, but the striker can only head over the bar from nine yards

37’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Lachlan Munn wriggles around his defender in the box to create space for a rushed shot, but it deflects into the side netting

44’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – The home side try trick play from a set piece just outside the area, but Byrnes’ shot goes straight down the throat of Thunder goalkeeper Luke Borean

48’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Kevin Doyle runs down a long through ball and notices Olympic goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney well off his line, but his shot from distance can only find the side netting

50’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Scott Bow pulls the trigger from 25 yards out and forces Borean into a solid diving save to his right

68’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – The ball flies through a mountain of bodies inside the box, before falling at the feet of Liam O’Bryan who tucks it home on the back post

82’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Close puts Matthew Heath through on goal and the super sub burns all comers down the left before heading in and slotting his shot under Borean from close range

86’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Sam Cronin’s effort from a free kick is palmed by Borean straight into the path of Close, who has no trouble finishing from close range

89’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Mooney is deemed to have infringed the Thunder attackers while claiming a lofted ball inside the area enabling Jafari to pull a goal back from the ensuing penalty spot

What They Said

“It was deserved I think. We worked hard, kept pressing them and kept moving the ball and trying to break them apart at the break and eventually we came through. At half time we knew it was going to come. We just had to be patient.“ – Liam O’Bryan, Olympic FC defender

“To be honest it was a close game. They had opportunities to score goals and we had opportunities. If we could’ve finished our chances in the first half the game would’ve been finished and it wouldn’t have been like it was in the second half.” – Mustafa Jafari, SWQ Thunder FC striker

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 8

Sunday, April 24
Goodwin Park, Brisbane

Olympic FC – 3 (Liam O’BRYAN 69’, Matthew HEATH 83’, Ramone CLOSE 86’)
SWQ Thunder FC – 2 (Mustafa JAFARI 29’, 89’pen)

Further details in the official Match Centre

Referee – Andrew LINDSAY
Assistant – Brad BURTON
Assistant – March AUSTIN
Fourth – Ben ENGLISH