Launceston beats Warriors to top ladder

THE Olympia Warriors have missed a chance to climb to the top of the NPL Tasmania ladder after they were beaten 2-0 by Launceston City at Warrior Park.

Both teams went into the game knowing a win would send them to the top of the table after four rounds, and it was City which seized the opportunity as it withstood an Olympia barrage in the first half and struck twice in the second.

Launceston had its share of possession in the opening 45 minutes but struggled to break down the Olympia defence, while at the other end the Warriors had no issue creating chances but could not find the net.

The Warriors had the best chance of the first half in just the fifth minute when they were awarded a penalty, but Gordon Gurson’s tame effort was easily saved by City keeper Niko Giantsopoulos.

Gurson had it in the back of the net eight minutes later when he bundled home from close range, but his effort was chalked out for offside.

The chances kept coming for Olympia throughout the half, but Launceston’s defence stood firm, and the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.

City’s hard work in keeping Olympia at bay was rewarded in the 50th minute with a goal against the run of play.

A bouncing ball spilled to Joseph Dorazio at the top of the box, and his volley lobbed over Olympia keeper Brett Johnson and found the back of the net.

The Warriors pushed for an equaliser, but they weren’t creating chances with the same ease as in the first half, and Launceston made it 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining. Noah Mies went on a marauding run down the left wing before picking out the unmarked Tyler Fischer with a low cross, and Fischer finished clinically.

Olympia coach Dale Itchins said his side wasted too many chances in the first half. “Your first loss is always one you’ve got to swallow, but it tightens the league up, there’s not much between second last and top at the moment,” he said.

Launceston coach Jez Kenth said it was a happy surprise to sit atop the ladder.

“If you had told me at the start of the season we would have taken it as a joke, we are a brand new squad, it’s very early in the season, the other teams are far more formidable than we are,” he said. “[But] you’re in the league to win.”