Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Patrick Kearney/Olympic FC

Olympic FC Women have surged back to winning ways with a 4-0 win over Peninsula Power Women at Goodwin Park on Saturday.

All four goals were scored in the second half after Power had Brianna Best sent off for two yellow cards in the space of ten minutes.

In a hard-fought first half it was Olympic ‘keeper Katie Ronan who was first called upon to make a sharp reflex save and keep out Samantha Harrington from close range in the 14^th minute.

Lizzie Doherty, playing in a withdrawn role, soon smashed a shot over the crossbar while Toni Brescianini sliced wide for Power with the final chance of the half.

Scoreless at the break, the match was swung in the hosts’ favour prior to the hour as Best dismissed, first picking up a yellow for fouling Leah Miles and then bringing down Miho Sugisawa.

Olmpic quickly capitalised, opening through scoring almost instantly thanks to Sugisawa’s classy finish before Nat Tathem made it 2-0 minutes later by coolly slotting away a through ball.

Substitute Ai Matsuzaki nearly extended the home side’s advantage when she volleyed over the bar but the midfielder didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoresheet by punishing a Power turnover in the 79^th minute.

Ronan did well to push wide Brieanna Watt’s effort around the post in what was the visitors’ last chance of the match, allowing Olympic to record a clean sheet and 4-0 victory when Allira Toby came off the bench to complete the scoring.

Speaking after the match, Power coach Allen Waller felt the red card changed the match.

“It was anybody’s game before that but it gave them the extra player,” Waller said.

Listen to the full post-match interview below.

Olympic FC Women 4 (Miho SUGISAWA 63’ Nat TATHEM 70’ Ai MATSUZAKI 79’ Allira TOBY 82’)
Peninsula Power Women 0