Olympia make a game of it after being thrashed by University on the weekend

Photo:  Shelley Cook (out of the picture) nets for Olympia to give them the lead against University. [PlessPix] 

University beat Olympia Warriors 2-1 away at Empire Couriers Park this evening in the first round of the Women’s State-wide Cup.

It was a vastly different game to when the side’s met last weekend, University winning that game 9-0.

Personnel changes and a 4-4-2 formation saw Olympia take the game to University and almost force extra-time.

And, it was only an unfortunate own goal by Olympia’s Chloe Wilton in the 72^nd minute that gave University victory.

Photo:  University's Mikalha George (right) in a race for the ball. [PlessPix] 

Olympia took a shock lead through Shelley Cook midway through the first half, her long-range volley plummeting into the net,

University were level a minute later, however, when Anna Wade scored a similar goal from range.

University were the superior team, although they had to fight hard.

They struck the woodwork three times and squandered numerous other openings through inaccurate shooting.

Photo:  A fight for possession between Olympia's Abbey Clark (left) and University's Mariam Refaei. [PlessPix] 

“The team was much more composed,” said Olympia coach, John Fiotakis.

“I changed the formation from last week and we started off with a 4-4-2.

“Last week’s game was a little bit different because we lost the keeper and Allie Berry in the first 15 minutes.

‘We had to make a couple of changes from last week and it was a different game last week.  It was more a case of patching up areas where we had injuries.

Photo:  Olympia's Shelley Cook about to shoot for goal. [PlessPix] 

“This week, the girls went out there and they played their hearts out.

“I was very confident at the beginning of the game and I thought they played to the game plan we had and kept possession, and when they lost possession they tried to get it back.  They did really well.

“We were not told before the game that it was substitutions and not interchange and if it had gone to extra-time we would have had quite a few tired girls out there.

“The last goal just skimmed off the top of our player’s head and went in.

“A solid performance.”

Photo:  University coach Amey Abhay. [PlessPix]

University coach Amey Abhay said:  “It was  a really good game.  “Olympia came out firing and hats off to them.

“My girls responded pretty well and we hit a few posts, but it was a really good game.  I enjoyed that.”

Photo:  University's Mikalha George (white shirt) gets a pass away. [PlessPix]