Late drama seals Summer Cup for Warriors

NPL TAS Summer Cup winners Olympia FC Warriors

Olympia Warriors have won the NPL TAS Summer Cup in a classic encounter. You would of thought Olympia’s Jack Ryan’s first half hat-trick would spell game over. South Hobart came back from 3 goals down to make the game 3-3 but it was Warrior’s Jackson Khasif that was the hero with his late stoppage time 4-3 winner in front of a rocking crowd at KGV.

Ned Clarke was South Hobart’s Coach due to Ken Morton not being fully recovered from his hip operation this week. South’s team was very youthful so their backs were already against the wall in this match.

Warrior’s Callum Brown eased past two of South’s defenders and played in Ryan. Ryan one-on-one with South Keeper Chase Webert calmly finished into the bottom left corner for the opening goal in the 19th minute.

“Can’t hear you over my hat-trick heroics” Jack Ryan celebration
*Credit Tanner Coad*

Lachlan O’ Connor played a cross into the waiting Ryan for his second in the 27th minute with his shot going into the right corner of the net.

South Hobart’s keeper Chase Webert had a tough first half
*Credit Tanner Coad*

After a poor defensive clearance from South, Ryan completed his hat-trick with a fantastic finish into the bottom right of the goals.

3-0 and we had only played half an hour of football.

South’s Kobe Kemp won a spot kick before half time after colliding with Warriors keeper Davis Smith. Kemp sent Smith the wrong way and we had life from the youthful South Hobart.

Smith was replaced by Darby Randall in the second half. A reliable source told me it was injury related but it was more likely a precaution.

Warrior’s Warren Wadawu was the sole recipient of bookings today when he received a yellow card in the 56th minute.

Shortly after that South’s Kasper Hallam scored a fantastic solo goal in the 60th minute when he ran through the middle of the field and smashed it into the top left corner.

South were really beginning to put on the pressure so Olympia’s Coach Andrew Brown replaced Nicholas Mearns for Khasif.

Three emotions in one photo.
From(l)South’s backup keeper Mark Moncur pleased with the play.
(m)South’s Ned Clarke looks on with interest.
(r) And Nick Morton who can’t bare to watch the final minutes.
*Credit Tanner Coad*

Hallam completed his brace when he eased past Olympia’s Captain Lucas Hill and placed it home for the 3-3 equaliser!

How good is football. Seriously.. This is only pre-season but wow!

We looked like we were going to go to extra-time but Olympia had one final trick up their sleeve.

Ryan flicked a header in the middle of the field over to Khasif. Khasif charged down the wing and despite pressure from Patrick Kibler he finished his efforts past Webert to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead!

“How’s my hangtime?”
*Credit Tanner Coad*

South can be very proud of their efforts and their comeback. If they keep up that heart and determination they will be one of the teams to watch for in 2020.