Home Semi-Final Eludes Olympic
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Alannah Pearson/Olympic FC
Defending NPL Queensland Champions Olympic FC face a tough away semi-final after being held 1-1 by Northern Fury at Goodwin Park on Sunday.
Olympic required three points to stay in the hunt for second place, however Braedyn Crowley’s 25th minute put paid to the host’s ambitions, cancelling out Matt Mundy’s early opener.
Olympic started brightly when defender Mundy reeled in Danny Byrne’s through-pass to before deftly looping the bouncing ball over Fury goalkeeper David Schonberger for the opener on seven minutes.
Despite their early setback the visitors fought their way back into the contest.
Jake Perry came close to levelling terms when he drew Shannon Lancini into a low block, while at the other end Jake McLean saw his shot deflect across the face of goal.
The equaliser came prior to the half hour when Crowley headed home at the back post from Caleb Hobson’s swinging cross.
An arm-wrestle eventuated for the remainder of the first half, with Byrne seeing his shot blocked by the determined Perry just prior to half time.
The first chance of the second half arrived on the hour when Reuben Way raced away from the Fury defence, however his left-footed toe-poke was denied by the legs of Schonberger.
Olympic continued to search desperately for a goal, however the winner remained elusive.
Ari Isman was needed to get a crucial touch ahead of Tim Smits from James Cuminao’s square pass, while the home side was unable to force home a goalmouth scramble following a Way set-piece.
A pair of late free-kicks promised a grandstand finish to the match as Crowley went closest to stealing it for Fury as he drew an athletic save from Lancini, while Way’s driven effort in stoppage time was halted by the wall.
The draw did little for either side with Fury rounding out their season in 11th, while second is now beyond Olympic.
The Brisbane club’s semi-final opponents will be determined by the result of their Wednesday night catch-up clash away to premiers Palm Beach.
Olympic FC 1 (Matt MUNDY 7')
Northern Fury 1 (Braedyn CROWLEY 25')
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