Sydney Olympic confirm top flight status once more

Sydney Olympic leapt to National Premier League NSW Women’s safety on Sunday night with a 3-2 victory over the Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park.

Things didn’t get off to the best start for the visitors as Mt Druitt took the lead through Erin Tavares with just over a minute on the board.

But Olympic hit back, first Tiana Fuller, then Baxter Thew and finally Alyssa Whinham on the stroke of half time.

Rosie Galea got Mt Druitt back into the game in the second half but Olympic held on to take an important three points to Belmore Sports Ground.

The home side started on the front foot and put Olympic under immediate pressure.

It was no surprise then when after 70 seconds the score board already read 1-0 to Mt Druitt.

Roukaya Al Fararjeh was released down the right, her well struck effort rebounded off the post and fell into the path of Tavares who made no mistake with the finish.

Olympic reacted well though after the shock early goal and almost equalised minutes later.

Alyssa Whinham was growing into the game and found space to fire toward goal, what seemed a routine catch was spilled by Renee Krstanovska, only for the keeper to react well and tip the goal bound ball out.

Mt Druitt went close next, veteran striker Leena Khamis unable to lift the ball over Annalee Grove on the volley.

On 12 minutes though, Olympic were level.

Tiana Fuller picked up the ball on the right side of the box, took one touch in and let fly, catching Krstanovska out who was not expecting the shot and finding the back of the net.

Moments later Sarah Yatim almost had Olympic in front from similar range where the equaliser came from, this time the winger’s effort crashing against the post and bouncing out.

On the half hour mark Olympic turned the game on it’s head.

A delivery into the box by Whinham wasn’t dealt with by Krstanovska, the loose ball headed home by Olympic central defender Baxter Thew who had the awareness to put the ball into the back of the net.

With half time approaching, the home side was almost level, Khamis with an ideal opportunity, rushing her effort and slicing the ball over the bar from just outside the six-yard box.

With half time literally seconds away, Olympic extended their lead.

Olivia Price was afforded to much space just outside the area, laying the ball left to Whinham who herself was given space, beating her defender and curling the ball into the back of the net.

Mt Druitt came out for the second half with fire in the belly and had some early opportunities.

Al Fararjeh delivering consecutive crosses across the face of goal with no one able to get on the end of them.

Mt Druitt’s best opportunity came on the hour mark, Khamis  again in the thick of the action, receiving the ball on the edge of the area, doing everything right but foiled by Grove who made an excellent save.

With 20 minutes to go, Khamis burst into the box but again, but once more Grove made another fine save.

Khamis was quickest to react, got to the ball ahead of Jaya Bowman who brought the veteran down, handing Mt Druitt a lifeline.

Galea stepped up to the spot and blasted her penalty home into the top corner.

Olivia Price had the chance to end all Mt Druitt hopes but sliced her effort wide of the goal with 10 minutes to go.

George Beltsos’ team held on though and managed the closing stages of the game well, securing all three points.

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Tavares 2’, Galea 20’)

Sydney Olympic 3 (Fuller 12’, Thew 31’, Whinham 45+1’)

Sunday, 24 August

Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 88. Krstanovska, 3. K. Buchanan, 8. Casha (7. Jabour), 15. Galea, 17. Sloan (31. E. Buchanan), 18. Tavares, 19. Khamis, 27. Hill (24. Robinson), 28. Tanaka, 30 Al Fararjeh, 32. Harada.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Treddinick, 16. McCutcheon, 23. Flavin.

Yellow Cards: Casha, Buchanan.

Red Cards: Nil.

Sydney Olympic: 31. Grove, 4. Thew, 8. Whinham, 9. Fuller, 10. Fernandez, 11. Borromeo (12. Lysiak), 14. Yatim, 23. Gordon, 26. Bowman, 39. Trimis, 40. Price.

Substitutes Not Used: 13. Baudana, 24. Giannakos, 27. Arena, 32. Vasilliadis, 41. Phillpot.

Yellow Cards: Bowman, Yatim.

Red Cards: Nil.

-By Nikola Pozder