Blog

MATCH WRAP

Olympic are within touching distance of securing promotion back to the NPL following Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Western Pride at Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

Olympic found the back of the net through Allira Toby and an own goal in a result that puts them in prime position to secure FQPL Women’s top spot heading into the final matchday of the season.

It was Pride who struck first in Saturday’s match, through Abbey Lloyd, who opened the scoring early, intercepting a goal kick and sending her long-range effort back over Olympic goalkeeper, Julia Duffy.

However, Olympic found a reply only two minutes after with Talitha Doro’s cross deflecting off Bree Wallace and looping over goalkeeper Bianca Warrener into the back of the net.

Despite Olympic creating the majority of the chances in the latter part of the first 45 minutes, Gladys Esquivel won and converted a penalty on the stroke of half time to send the home side into the break with a 2-1 lead.

The second half provided end-to-end action with Duffy’s strong one-on-one save denying Abbey Lloyd a brace, before Pride captain Meaghan McElligott came within inches of adding to Pride’s lead, firing a shot on the turn off the post.

Allira Toby found her 10^th goal of the year moments later, twisting and turning to beat her marker before driving an effort into the bottom corner to equalise for Olympic in the 68^th minute.

With neither side able to find a winning goal late in the game, the 2-2 draw saw the points shared and a further swing towards Olympic’s strong chances of promotion.

 Olympic remain in pole position on top of the ladder on 42 points, with Western Pride jumping into second place, tied with Brisbane City on 39 points with a superior goal difference.

Although a win against Western Pride would have secured promotion for Olympic, Saturday’s draw means Olympic can still secure top spot in the FQPL and gain promotion with a win or a draw at Goodwin Park against derby rivals Brisbane City in the final game of the season.

City & Pride could catch Olympic on points if they suffered a final day defeat although Olympic’s vastly superior goal difference would likely be enough to still secure them top spot.

GOALS

 12’ | Goal Pride – 1-0. Abbey Lloyd intercepts a goal kick near the half-way line before driving a long range effort back over Olympic keeper, Julia Duffy to put the home side ahead.

14’ | Goal Olympic – 1-1. Talitha Doro makes a mazy run down the left before whipping in a cross that deflects off Bree Wallace and loops into the back of the ent.

45+1’ | Goal  Pride – 2-1. Gladys Esquivel is brought down in the box and awarded a penalty, which she converts sending Olympic goalkeeper Julia Duffy the wrong way and placing the ball into the bottom left corner.

68’ | Goal Olympic – 2-2. Allira Toby beats her marker before driving a powerful strike into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

POINTS & GOAL DIFFERENCE GOING INTO FINAL MATCHDAY:

1. Olympic FC: 42 points; +30 goal difference
2. Western Pride: 39 points; +21 goal difference
3. Brisbane City:  39 points; -9 goal difference