Olympia held off South Hobart in a 1-0 victory in the WSL TAS at Warrior Park. Bonnie Davies scored the lone goal in the game. But this wasn’t a matchup where you would expect that scoreline.
Warriors were WSL runners up last year. South on the other hand finished with the wooden spoon in 6th position.
We didn’t see a last placed team today. We saw some real grit from South.
The game started in the home sides favour with Olympia having the majority of the ball and chances.
Olympia’s Olivia Bomford went down in the penalty box after a tackle from Souths’ Eleni Moutsatsos made the referee point to the spot. Bonnie Davies calmly finished her penalty into the bottom right corner past Georgia McMullen to give the Warriors the lead.
Olympias’s Inocent Michael went down after a tackle from a South defender caused her to hit hard on the deck. Club Manager Sarah Black ran out to access the damage with what looked to be a neck related injury. Thankfully there was no major injury and Michael was able to continue on.
Half time and the Warriors had a 1-0 lead.
Olympia’s GK Jenna Farrow was called to action when she kept out Souths’ Pishon Chois’ efforts.
South’s Misty Olsen launched a shot from long range which bounced off the cross bar. Olsen tried to follow up with a closer angled shot but Farrow was able to protect her net.
South’s Ruby Batchelor had a great effort at Farrows’ near post but was able to clear away for a corner.
Full time sounded and the Warriors had held on for their first three points of the season.They were made to work for it though and South should be commended for their efforts.
I spoke to Warrior’s coach Alastair Russell after the match. “I was very happy with the first half and I was very unhappy with the second,” Russell said.
“I’m looking forward to watching that back on replay because i’m not really sure what went wrong. Full credit to South for coming back but we were in cruise control in the first half. We should of gone into the 2nd half a few more up.”
Olympia’s Madi Chambers made her comeback from injury coming off the bench. Chambers replaced Davies who went down with what appears to be a hamstring injury. may not of been 100 % yet but she looked very sharp and dangerous when she had possession.
“Losing Bonnie upset our balance a little bit,” he said. We worked very hard in that first half and we seemed to drop our intensity off.
“The combinations for passing just didn’t come off today but that happens. At the end of the day we got 3 points and we are very happy.”
South coach Craig Westwood also gave his thoughts after the match.
“I’m very happy with the girls,” Westwood said.
“Going into the match we gave ourselves a chance and we want to win every game we can this year. We have got a squad that can do that for us.
“We have developed some young players but it is going to take some time and rebuilding. We want to give our youth those opportunities in big games.
“I thought we were a bit stiff to not get something out of it.”
Around the grounds Clarence Zebras stormed home to a 8-0 victory over UTAS Soccer Club at Wentworth Park.
Apologies for not being able to get to this one.
Clarence Zebras 8 (28′ Caitlin Stalker, 32′ 72′ 87’ Zoe Nichols, 49′ Louisa Marmion, 63′ 75′ Stacie Burdack, 68′ Louisa Marmion, 72′ Zoe Nichols D UTAS Soccer Club 0
