Wollongong Olympic have slipped to yet another disappointing result after a 2-2 draw with last-placed Fernhill on Saturday.

Since putting together an impressive three game win streak, including an emphatic 5-0 win over Port Kembla, Olympic have struggled to find form; managing one point from their last three games.

Worse still for the Wollongong side is that they looked second-best for the majority of a contest that saw Fernhill dominate possession.

The result, however, was a step in the right direction for Fernhill who picked up their first points in the league since round 4.

The draw lifts the Foxes out of last place on the ladder, giving them a one point advantage over fellow relegation candidates, Bellambi.

A positive start to the game saw Olympic go ahead just 10 minutes in through striker Nathan Minutillo.

Jarryd Vinton hit a speculative shot from outside the area that looked to be drifting wide until Minutillo moved in front of the ball and deflected it into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Fernhill were able to work their way into the match after conceding early and with Tobin Zoomers pulling the strings in midfield the Foxes found an equaliser through winger Andy Keep in the 32^nd minute.

Daniel Swinton was able to manoeuvre his way into the Olympic box before pulling the ball back across goal to Keep who hit a powerful, bending strike over keeper Hayden Durose and in.

The sides wouldn’t remain tied for long, however, as just two minutes later Olympic forced their way back into the lead.

Kyle Hazebroek found Javier Ovando’s smart run into the box as he moved the ball past one defender before lashing the ball across Josh Timpano’s goal and into the bottom corner.

The second half saw Olympic content to sit deep and protect their lead; doing their best to catch Fernhill on the counter.

It proved to be their undoing as the Foxes were afforded the lion’s share of possession as they pressed hard on the Olympic goal.

The breakthrough finally came for Fernhill in the 85^th minute with a deserved goal for Tobin Zoomers.

The gangly central midfielder hit a hopeful strike from 25 yards out that dipped wildly in front of Durose, bouncing over the keeper’s dive and in for the equaliser.

The Foxes will take heart from this performance as they go into their match against South Coast United next weekend.

Olympic face an uphill task next round; taking on the undefeated Dapto-Dandaloo Fury as they continue to search for their identity as a team this season.

Fernhill 2 (A. Keep; T. Zoomers) - Wollongong Olympic 2 (N. Minutillo; J. Ovando)

Yellow Cards: J. Cesta-Incani; D. Krstevski                             S. Gordon

Referee: Chris Munn

 

Julian Keith
FSC Reporter