Sydney Olympic 2-1 Sydney United

Sydney Olympic kept its slim Finals hopes alive yesterday, after recording a gutsy come from behind, 2-1 victory over rivals Sydney United on Sunday Afternoon, at Belmore Sports Ground.

We started the match off well and had a couple of great chances to open the scoring, but once again, we could not capitalise on our good build up play. As has been the case many times this season, after we fail to put away our chances, we were once again sucker punched on the break. An opposition player was put through on goal, it was questionable whether or not he was actually onside, but nevertheless, we were punished on the half-hour mark and were now down 1-0. We tried hard to get back into the game during the closing stages of the first-half, but it was not to be and at half-time we were down 1-0.

Fortunately, we did not have to wait too long in the second-half to get back on level terms. As 5 minutes in, substitute Jack Stewart was found inside the box, before slotting the ball away to bring us level at 1-1. 5 minutes after our equaliser, we turned the match on its head as we were fouled inside the box and earned a penalty, Jason Madonis stepped up and put it away with ease to put us into a 2-1 lead. It was a lead that we would not relinquish and it was a well-deserved 3 points.

Coincidentally, this match signified the first time this season, where we were able to overturn a deficit after trailing at half-time.

It was a good performance, a well-deserved victory and it keeps our slim hopes of making the Top 5 alive.

Next week is the final regular season game of the season, against Sydney FC’s NPL team, on Sunday Afternoon August 11, at Lambert Park, Kick-Off is at 3pm.

For us to make the Top 5, a couple of things need to happen:

- Firstly we must take care of business and beat Sydney FC’s NPL team at Lambert Park on Sunday and;
- Somehow hope that Manly, who have nothing to play for next week, either beat or at least get a draw away at Sydney United. Highly unlikely.

There has been much talk, that Paul Henderson will hang up the boots at the end of this season, if true, he has been a magnificent servant for the club. Only 5 players have played more matches for Sydney Olympic and he has won 2 Championships and 2 Minor Premierships with the club.

This reason alone, should ensure plenty of Sydney Olympic Supporters head out to Lambert Park on Sunday.

In the Club Championship the 18s lost 1-0 and the 20s won 3-0.

On the women’s side of things, they lost to the NWS Koalas 3-2 on the weekend, but after the 22 Rounds they managed to finish 2nd on the ladder and will play Finals this year, in their 1st season in the NPL 1 competition. Well Done.