Spartans thwarted by Olympic
Sydney Olympic made it two wins from two starts as they defeated the Blacktown Spartans 1-0 in a hot and steamy round 2 ‘Match of the Round’ National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s fixture at Blacktown Football Park on Sunday.
The only goal of the game came midway through the first half as Ash Irwin rose to head home from a Teresa Polias corner.
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The first half was a reflection of the scorching conditions on Sunday afternoon with chances few and far between.
Sarah Yatim and Georgia Koutzoumis both had tame efforts comfortably saved by Makayla Kent in the Spartans goal.
Olympic hit the front in the 34th minute. Veteran midfielder Polias delivered a flat, driven corner to the near post that Irwin got to first, heading well into the back of the net for her first ever goal in Olympic colours.
There were no chances of note after that opener as the visitors went into the break leading by one-goal.
The second half started well for the Spartans, earning a foul on the edge of the area and in a good position for a strike on goal. Captain Annabelle Daczko stepped up to the set piece but sent her effort over the bar.
Polias then had an opportunity from a free kick of her own, rattling the post with another trademark driven shot.
Not long after and Olympic hit the post again. Yatim created some space on the left before surprising everyone with a shot from more than 20 metres that smacked against the woodwork.
Eden Holmes came off the bench and should have settled the result shortly after, getting onto the end of a corner but sending her effort over the bar.
The missed opportunities by Olympic almost came back to haunt them in the final moments.
First a free kick from Daczko found Isobel Grech in the box, only for the striker to not connect properly with her header.
The pressure continued with successive corners in the final minute but Olympic held on for a valuable three points.
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 0
Sydney Olympic 1 (Irwin 34’)
Sunday 19 March, 2023
Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans 41. Kent, 3. Daczko, 4. Frilles, 7. Oliva (11. Sullivan), 9. Panayi, 10. Madarang, 13. Buccini, 15. Mkali, 16. Caronna, 20. Grech, 23. Owen.
Subs Not Used: 8. Smyth, 12. Fressard, 24. Mohammadi, 35. Graiche, 43. Stewart.
Sydney Olympic: 1. Newbon, 2. Polias (20. Grew), 4. Irwin, 6. Bowling, 7. Yatim, 9. De Domizio, 10. Toby, 12. Koutoumis, 17. Fernandez, 18. Hampson, 19. McCue-Shore.
Subs Not Used: 27. Woosnam, 31. Rozman.
By Nikola Pozder
