City Strike Early and Hold on

Launceston City won their first game at Warrior Park this afternoon as they scored early and defended resolutely from that point forward against the Olympia FC Warriors.

Olympia started the better of the two teams as Gavin Hoy managed to rattle off a shot inside the first minute that required saving by David Smith. They continued to control the tempo for the opening five or so minutes before Rossi tested Mitchell Stalker in the Olympia goals in the 9th minute.

The goal came in the 13th minute as Rossi was again the architect as he spread the ball from midfield to Jarrod Linger on the right wing who then played a ball towards Aaron Campbell. Campbell made no mistake with his chance, lashing a shot past Stalker to make it 1-0.

Hoy missed a golden chance in the 30th minute as Smith’s pass out of the goals was intercepted by the diminutive midfielder and he spotted Smith off his line. His lofted effort looked for a second like it might go in but then it floated over the top of the bar much to the relief of Smith.

In the 79th minute, Rossi went on one of his runs, bursting through three opponents and turning a 4v4 into a 4v1. Unfortunately from that point forward Rossi decided to go it alone instead of spreading it to one of his teammates who were in a better position.

In the 87th minute it looked like Olympia would equalise as a cross from Jacob Leamann was sent flying across the 6 yard box. Jake Vandermay had pushed into the strikers position for the last few minutes of the game and was there waiting for the ball, but he somehow conspired to not make any connection the ball and the chance went begging.

In the fourth minute of added time, Rossi again went on a long dribbling run, beating numerous opponents with pace and then hitting a shot that Stalker got something on. The rebound was spinning into the back of the net before Mark Ortmann somehow defied all odds to smash a volley into the crossbar and away to safety!

The Warriors threw everything they could muster at Launceston but their indecisiveness in front of goals as well as some scrappy passing at times really let them down in amongst some great defensive work. The real star of the game was Dom Rossi, his influence from midfield and his ability to open up the game with lung bursting runs with the ball at his feet set the tone for his team.

Launceston City assistant coach Ben Brookfield was pleased after the game, “Really really happy. We really did well off the ball today.”

“The breaks that we did have were really good.”

“I’m just happy that we’re getting them (on the break) chances”.

“I thought he was probably our standout on the ground today (Rossi).”

“We’ve got a real solid (defensive) unit.”

Olympia coach Glenn McNeill was a bit disappointed after the game, “Yeah really frustrating not being able to convert the amount of possession into shots and goals.”

“At times we play good football but that isn’t enough.”

“It’s been a frustration of ours all year (the lack of shooting).”

“I think the effort and endeavour was there, but at certain times giving the ball away in the middle of the park was a frustration as well.”




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