Familiar foe returns to haunt Central Coast
A professional performance from Sydney Olympic FC has seen them continue their hot form with a 2-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon, their third on the trot.
Two goals in the first half to Olympic were the difference in this round nine National Premier League Men’s NSW fixture, with the listed away side dominating their younger opponents across all areas of the match in front of their home fans.
Having most of the running and pressure through the fixtures’ opening minutes, Sydney Olympic where the first to pounce on their opponent’s misfortune.
Central Coast’s Cher Deng was unable to secure Michael Vaki’s cut-back across the face, putting it in the back of his own net.
The hosts struggled to hold out their opponents as the Mariners were forced into scramble defence on their goal line to prevent falling further ahead.
Capable of pulling off the spectacular, Olympic’s Roy O Donovan sent further warning signs as the skipper bounced the ball off his chest before soaring the half volley over the crossbar.
However, whether at A-Leagues or NPL level, O Donovan never fails to score against the Central Coast Mariners.
He did just that in the 39th minute, tapping home his fifth of the season from a perfect low-cross from Adam Parkhouse.
Central Coast came close to drawing one back to end the half through their main man Luke Smyth.
His shifty footwork drew a corner kick before a snapshot inside the box went just wide as Sydney Olympic maintained their dominant 2-0 advantage into the sheds.
Sydney Olympic had a great chance out of the half, with Vakis forcing Mariners’ goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky into a save after some strong pressing defence from the blue and white.
The yellow and navy were quick to turn defence into attack as Smyth went swiftly past defenders on his run to goal.
As solid as his first half defence, Zygmunt Gordon was there to relieve any pressure to his goalkeeper with a sliding challenge.
Parkhouse went dangerously close to adding a third as he rocketed a left-footed effort into the side net with not much room to get the shot off.
A few minutes late and it was again Vakis drawing Warshawsky into yet another crucial save before his second effort went past thew right post.
Unwilling to give in, Mariner Luke Smyth continued to show why he is his side’s leading goal scorer.
The front man came close to scoring on multiple occasions but couldn’t add to his season tally with his closest effort pounding off the chest of Noah James.
Sydney Olympic continued to press in search of a goal in the second half, but their fanciness on the ball couldn’t be converted as they came away with a 2-0 victory, their fourth of the season.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 0
Sydney Olympic FC 2 (Deng (OG) 16’, O’Donovan 39’)
Sunday 7th April 2024
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Kurt Ams
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jack Warshawsky (GK), 2. Michael Paragalli (22. Rocco Smith 74’), 3. Cher Dong, 4. Andre Parkes, 5. Harry Menham (42. Alexander Gountounas 78’), 8. Lucas Scicluna (C), 10. Luka Smyth, 16. Prayaag Thapa (13. Yani Nassis 60’), 18. Adil Toska (12. Taye Hedley 60’), 37. Bailey Brandtman, 39. Adam Hall (19. Harvey James 74’)
Unused Subs: 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen
Yellow Cards: 3. Cher Deng 45+2’
Red Cards:
Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Noah James (GK), 4. George Timotheou, 5. Zygmunt Gordon (18. Teng Kuol 73’), 8. Sam Mcillhatton, 10. Darcy Burgess 9. Oliver Puflett 69’), 11. Adam Parkhouse, 14. Michael Vakis (17. Abraham Majok 68’), 15. William Mutch, 23. Jackson Bandiera, 29. George Antonis (19. Gianni Di Pizio 62’), 99. Roy O Donovan (C)
Unused Subs: 12. Zac Zoricich, 20. Christopher Parsons
Yellow Cards: 17. Abraham Majok 90’
Red Cards:
Player Ratings:
3: Michael Vakis (SOFC)
2: Adam Parkhouse (SOFC)
1: Luke Smyth (CCM)
By Mitchell Roese (@mitchroese)
