'Make sure that fucking changing room door is locked'
Thats exactly what Dave Lloyd was doing and therefore resulted in Olympic starting this crucial game with 10 men. Chris Mason made his 24th appearance of the season between the sticks, Pat Box's recent performances have seen him cement his place at left back especially now with Alan Taylor going AWOL. Rob Plummer was furiously breaking the motorway speed limit to make the kick off but unfortunately traffic got the better of him and Phil Scott was still recovering from a virus (or is he coming to terms with hes going to be a married man by Saturday?) and that meant Will Sharples and a 30% fit Andy Eastwood started at centre half. Olympic's veteran Dave Lloyd started at right back with his offspring Anthony Lloyd further forward. A full debut was handed to Chris Harrison who partnered captain Carl Black in the middle of the park. Steven Roundinho took up his usuall left wing role, top scorer with 21 Benjamin Parker took the lead role upfront and due to Craig Podmore also failing to beat the traffic another 30% fit player in Alan Heaton partnered him in attack.
And so the game kicked off in what looked and felt like a more hostile part of Blackburn than Iraq. Dave Lloyd made it on to the pitch with 5 minutes gone but he didn't really miss much. The opening 10 minutes was very even with both teams competing for every ball. Bad news for Olympic early doors as Dave Lloyd is forced to go off with a groin injury. Looks like no warm up for the old war horse did him the damage or did he have the changing room key in his shorts for safe keeping? Anyway Rob Plummer had arrived and replaced him.
The game got even worse for Olympic as a corner wasnt dealt with and after the player had 10 seconds to pick his spot unchallenged from 7 yards out Olympic where behind.
A little harsh on Olympic but they have failed to deal with scenario all season and its clear this needs to be worked on before the Semi Final. Olympic where back in the game not long after as 'Roundinho' broker clear down the left. He cut inside his man and placed the ball into the far corner of the net 1-1.
It was Roundy again who created the 2nd goal. Once again he easily beat the right back who's top speed was 3mph and had a larger turning circle than a 42tonne artic lorry. As the keeper rushed out Roundy got his head up and unselfishly roled the ball across to Benjamin to slide home into an empty net. Superb play from Olympic to make it 1-2.
Mason didn't have much to do in the first half but he found himself picking the ball out of the net for a second time as yet again an opposition player has time to tie his boot lace and pick his arse before slotting the ball into the corner.
Olympic created more chances through Roundy and Parker but went in at the break level. Poddy had arrived and was changed and raring to go.
The second half was all Olympic with Black and Harrison keeping the ball and opening up the play. Pat Box was getting forward and assisting Ste Round in causing the opposition havock. Rob Plummer had found his ground and Will Sharples seemed to be intercepting every opposition attack with ease. Easty couldn't resist his weekly dig at the referee and can count himself a little lucky that the referee only booked him for calling him a 'Cheating Cunt'.
The change came not long after half time as Anthony Lloyd made way for Craig Podmore. It was Poddy who opened up the opposition defence and created changes for himself and strike partner Parker. Olympic had the home team on the back foot and by this stage were dominating the game. Ben Parker now looking for his 23rd goal of the season finally got the goal he deserved as Roundy showed a touch of class by launching a pin point cross field ball to Poddy. He beat his man, then again and then one more before rolling the ball to Parker to tap home.
The game was as good as over and in the dying minutes Carl Black picked up a freekick midway in his own half. Experience was telling him to take his time but he couldn't resist giving the ball to Harrison who was completly open in the middle of the park. Harrison had rarely put a foot wrong all game and he carried the ball over the half way line, Poddy had peeled away to the left and Harrison found him with a precise through ball. Poddy beat his man cut inside and bent a nice shot around the keeper into the bottom corner to confirm the win for Olympic.
A massive 3 points for Olympic who are looking good to avoid the drop. Semi Final in a few weeks and another couple of wins would set Olympic up nicely. Phil Scott is getting married on Saturday and Dave Lloyd now looks a major doubt. Looks like Olympic are going to struggle as Carl Black and Pat Box are also away on international duty. Lets see what the master at putting a team together 'Dave Lloyd' can conjour up.
A superb display from Olympic and Man of the Match was a toughie but Harrison just edges it with a fine all round display.
