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An early Nadine Keast goal was not enough for Olympic FC as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Western Pride in NPL Queensland Women’s Round 7 action at Goodwin Park on Sunday night.

Keast netted her sixth goal of the season in the 13^th minute when she bundled an India Kubin cross into the back of the net following some slick build up down the right.

Both sides created several chances early on in a free flowing contest, with Keast and Allira Toby coming closest for the hosts while Julia Duffy made some outstanding saves at the other end.

The brave goalkeeping was not enough to stop Gladys Esquivel from equalising for Western Pride when her headed attempt looped into the top right corner after Meg McElligott’s initial free-kick came back off the crossbar the 31^st minute.

Seven minutes later, Abbey Lloyd was in the right place at the right time to head Western Pride in front just before the break, giving the away side a narrow 2-1 lead at half time.

Olympic remained threatening in attack with Kubin creating a constant threat down the right, making several darting runs in behind the Pride defence.

The forward’s hard work almost payed off in the 61^st minute after a pass from Keast found her at the back post, but the Olympic number seven blazed her shot over the crossbar.

Pride goalkeeper, Bianca Warrener came up big in the 68^th minute to deny Kate Morton and Toby with a strong double save.

Olympic controlled possession and pressed to find an equaliser in the late stages but were once again kept out by Warrener.

Sunday’s result leaves Olympic in 11^th place on the NPL Queensland Women’s ladder with seven points to their name.

The defeat to Pride brings to a close a run of three games in the space of eight days of which Olympic won two.

Head Coach, Danny Byrne was full of praise for his player’s, saying things were beginning to click for his side.

“I’m super proud of the girls and the effort involved this week, they have all bought in and it’s starting to show, we just need to be more consistent with it.”

Byrne added that although his side didn’t come away with three points there were plenty of positives to take from Sunday’s clash.  

“We have got to be more clinical when we get the chances, we managed to execute the majority of what we wanted to do.

“In saying that Pride did make it difficult for us, they came here with a job to do and were very direct. They didn’t play much football, they just tended to play long into areas and it hurt us,” Byrne said.

“The girls have had a tiring week but that’s not taking anything away from the opposition, sometimes you have got to win ugly and we didn’t do that tonight.

“They girls have managed, in the last two weeks, to do what we wanted and tonight did seem like a tired performance but a positive week overall. But there will be a bit more shooting practice next week.

“At this stage the league is not consistent at all, so most teams can beat anyone, we just need to keep doing what we are doing and trust our processes.”

Focus for Olympic now switches to next Saturday’s clash against last year’s Grand Finalists Logan Lightning at Cornubia Park (7:30pm KO).