(NPL Tasmania, Empire Couriers Park, Friday, 3 June 2022)
Olympia Warriors 0
Clarence Zebras 1 (R Dillon 24)
HT: 0-1 Att: 120 Ref: N Coad
Olympia Warriors: Stalker - Allan, Sloan, Holmes, Houston - Vivarelli, Simaan (Schwarz 73), Pickup (Amani 82) - Mamic (Turner 70), Barrett, Cummins [Subs not used: King, McGuiness (GK)]
Clarence Zebras: Dyson - Ebini (Hatcher 58), Baumgartner, Burgess (Buzzard 86), Cook - Ackerley, Hills, Miley - Tooze, Walsh (Pace 70), Dillon [Subs not used: Burt, Featherstone]
Clarence Zebras earned the narrowest of victories when they visited Empire Couriers Park on a cold but still Friday night.
In the 24th minute, a shot from range by Sam Tooze was parried wide by keeper Mitch Stalker, but the alert Riley Dillon was onto the ball like a flash and powered it into the roof of the net from an acute angle on the left.
Zebras had the better of the remainder of the half, but a stubborn Olympia managed to keep them out with timely interceptions and blocks.
Tooze went close seconds before the interval with another long-range effort, but Stalker, who was almost caught by surprise, managed to tip it over the bar.
Olympia seemed revitalised in the second half and piled on the pressure, but their shots were constantly and effectively blocked by a hard-working Clarence Zebras defence superbly marshalled by centre-back Daniel Baumgartner.
Clarence Zebras managed some dangerous counter-attacks, but poor finishing meant they came to nothing.
On the hour, Dwayne Walsh threatened to break through but he was bravely thwarted by Stalker.
In the 69th minute, Stalker did well to turn a Tooze shot wide for a corner.
With 13 minutes remaining, Dillon attacked down the right and did very well to send over a cross that found Tooze, but he blazed over the bar.
James Ackerley did a lot of running and dribbling down the right flank for Clarence Zebras, but he usually ended up in dead-end streets or misplaced his final pass.
Clarence Zebras can be pleased with the 3 points, but the home side were worth a point at least.
Photo: Riley Dillon (No.7) is congratulated by team-mates after scoring. [PlessPix]
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1 comment:
Totally agree with your take on the game Walter I too thought Olympia were worthy of a point. Not sure what was different but the second half defence of the Zebras was a giant improvement on recent weeks with a bit more urgency. They need to Learn to finish off a lot better up front though as they did manage some good football to get to within range. Olympia created a lot of chances as well In the second half but as you said they were hitting a brick wall in defence for a change. Overall not a bad game to watch on a cold Friday night
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