Hero keeper saves day as Warriors march on

OLYMPIA Warriors keeper Brett Johnson emerged as the hero as the defending champions kept their Lakoseljac Cup dream alive with a penalty shootout win over the Glenorchy Knights last night.

Johnson made a one-onone save in the 89th minute to keep his side in the match, saved a penalty with three minutes of extra time to play, and saved a crucial shootout penalty after the teams were locked at 3-3 after extra time.

In a replay of last year’s final, Olympia progressed to the quarter-finals after scoring all five of their penalties at Warrior Park, with Johnson saving the Knights’ first spot kick from Jonathon Ladic.

Olympia opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Warren Wadawu, but the Knights replied two minutes later when Olympia defender Paul Stevens sliced his attempted clearance over Johnson and into the net.

Hugh Undy restored Olympia’s lead in the 24th minute, coolly finding the bottom corner with just Glenorchy keeper Dmitri Nester to beat.

It was 2-2 in the 42nd minute when Callum Brown burned a defender on the left wing before firing home off the inside of the post.

Brown caught the Warriors napping within 40 seconds of halftime, putting the Knights ahead for the first time from close range.

Both teams had a number of further chances as the second half wore on before Nkoso made it 3-3 in the 69th minute, tapping range.

Brown had a chance to win it for the Knights in the 89th minute when he broke through on a quick counter attack, but Johnson was out quickly to smother his shot.

Brown had another chance to send Glenorchy to the quarterfinals from the penalty spot in the 117th minute, but Johnson guessed correctly and kept it out.

The other seven round of 16 Lakoseljac Cup matches were one-sided affairs. home from close

Jakub Sklenar scored four as the Hobart Zebras thumped Riverside Olympic 11-1, while the Devonport Strikers cruised to a 7-0 win over New Town, with Brayden Mann netting a hat-trick.

South Hobart pumped Clarence United 7-0 at Wentworth Park, while Launceston City downed the Kingborough Lions 6-0 at KGV.

Taroona thrashed University 7-0, Hobart United beat Somerset 3-0, and the Northern Rangers beat Ulverstone 6-0 in the other matches.