NNSW 2025 NPL Reserve Garde Premiers began the new season with a 1-0 win away to Weston on Saturday afternoon.
The match was played in cool conditions after a downpour of rain prior to the game. It had all the characteristics of a Round 1 match at the start of a new season. Both teams played at a slow pace and despite the game not rating very high as a spectacle, it is obvious that both teams will play with greater intensity as fitness and momentum develops over the next few weeks.
Olympic had strength all over the field but lacked the ability to shoot on target and put away the opportunities created. Shots by Fitzgerald, Tsamouras and Steinerts which would normally end in the back of the net, didn’t in this game. The boys in blue had a total of 23 attempts on goal but only five of these were on target compared to 8 from Weston and only 2 on target.
The goal that decided the game came 9 minutes from the end when the Weston goalie decided to save a shot with a two-fisted punch several metres outside his box! The referee showed him a red card and from the ensuing free kick, Fitzgerald fired a shot which deflected into the top left-hand corner.
Olympic spent the remaining minutes in complete control of possession to secure 3 away points. Although they didn’t dominate and pressure the opponent like we were accustomed last season, they were never threatened throughout the game.
Newcastle Olympic First Grade crash 4-1 at Weston
Olympic and Weston played out a physical and high intensity game which was even until the end of the first half. In the 41st minute Beveridge opened the score for the home team.
With the start of the 2nd half Olympic found themselves 2-0 down from a goal by Hatfield in the 46th minute and by the 53rd 3-0 through a goal by Buettner. In the 68th minute Beveridge increased the score to 4-0 and the game was effectively over. Ten minutes from time Bradbery scored a consolation goal for Olympic but it was too little too late.
This was not the start everyone was expecting but next week the team will have an opportunity to make amends away to Charlestown Azzurri.
Source: Tom Tsamouras
