After the disapointment of relegation from the 1st Division last season manager Dave Lloyd managed to keep a strong bunch of lads together and as such is aiming for a return to Blackburn's elite division at the first attempt.
Not only keeping a strong squad but also bringing in new signings such as Joe Roberts, Andy Bucarry, Ian Mason and with Andy Eastwood and Stu Brown both returning for their second spell at the club, Olympic must be strong promotion candidates.
Dave Lloyd suprised the team by switched from the 3-5-2 formation which has worked well in previous seasons and instead opted for a 4-4-2 - maybe a sign of things to come ...
Rob Plummer and Tamas Barath were both away on international duty with Wales and Hungary respectively. Stu Clarke & Andy Bucarry were both carrying injuries picked up in pre-season with Ben Parker still sitting through suspension for GBH last season (well deserved GBH might I add, cocky shit).
Chris Mason slotted in in goal with a back four of Phil Scott, Will Sharples, Andy Eastwood & Stu Brown. Making his league debut on the right was Joe Roberts with Ste Round on the left. Carl Black and Lee Grundy anchored the middle which left last years top scorers Chris Tomlinson and Richard Sholicar in attack. You can't help but think if Olympic had the firepower of these two for the whole of last season things would have been much different.
Greenfield wern't to be taken lightly for they also possessed a strong squad and were clearly capable of an upset. New captain Chris Tomlinson lost the toss and Olympic were forced to kick uphill in the first half.
It was almost a nightmare start for Olympic as they gifted a chance to the opponents within the first few minutes, luckily there was no one to get on the end of a ball that flashed across goal. Olympic then grabbed the game by both horns and started competing for every ball. The ball was being knocked around and both teams knew they were in for a tough game.
Olympic carved out numerous changes in the first half mostly through Big Chris and Little Sholi however the goalkeeper wasn't worked as much as he should have been. Lee Grundy and Carl Black couldn't hit a barn door with dismal long range efforts but it was still Olympic who went in the happier side at half time with Mason only having to make occasional routine stops.
After a goalless first half, the score at half time was 0-0. You know what they say - sometimes in football you have to score goals and thats exactly what Olympic did midway through the second half. Olympic won a throw in deep in Greenfield's half. Andy Eastwood wound up and launched the ball into the mixer were Sholicar out muscled 3 grown men to get a flick on the ball into the path of Tomlinson who calmly headed the ball home from 3 yards. Tomlinson off the mark in the opening game with hopefully many more to come.
The goal sparked the opposition into action and it was very much backs against the wall to the final whistle. Olympic lost all shape however, despite not having much possession Mason wasn't really tested in Olympic's goal.
With 5 minutes remaining Dave Lloyd made a tactical change and moved the man mountain Richard Sholicar to the back to form a back five and hopefully to hold to the points. That left Tomlinson upfront on his own but it was he who could have doubled his tally with a swift counter attacking move had he not been adjudged to be offside despite being in his own half. Cheeting fuckpigs.
Olympic were nearly caught with their pants down in the last minute as a cross wasn't dealt with properly and fell to Greenfield's left back Ryan Cotton inside the box however he possessed the composure of Emile Heskey and blazed the ball high and wide.
A great start for Olympic against a team who will be certainly up there at the end of the season. A rare clean sheet for a solid goalkeeping and defensive display. Olympic will surely be able to build on this performance against Rishton next time out. Dave Lloyd hasn't texted me back yet with the player ratings or man of the match award so it's my call. A few players could have had a shout for the man of the match award sponsorerd by Jeter Packson the Jewellers however Stu Brown gets the nod.
