Olympic hold on for heritage draw with Marconi

This week was Heritage Round at Belmore Sports Ground as two old clubs locked heads in front of a large crowd. Sydney Olympic drew 1 with Marconi Stallions 1 in what was an entertaining contest on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
 

Credit: Football NSW

Probably the most historic tale between the two sides is their appearances against one another in consecutive Grand Finals in 88/89 /89/90, Marconi winning the first and Olympic the second. Both matches were held at Parramatta Stadium attracking record crowds for football matches. 

Olympic club officials worked hard to attract a decent attendance for their showpiece match and were rewarded with a healthy crowd of around 1300. A big congratulations to the club for their newly renovated, beautiful corporate facilities that played host to Sydney FC's Steve Corica and Brian Dene, as well as Olympic VIPs, former players and media.

The first shot of the match came early on from Shane Webb who bent the ball in from a cross which 'keeper Henderson cleanly punched away. Webb would continue to hassle Olympic all afternoon with his looping corners and crosses on the right flank.

But it would be Marconi that broke the deadlock. Simonovic slammed the ball into the net in the 14^th minute after a attacking play from the Stallions directly through the middle of the park.

In the 41^st minute Barkhousir hit the crossbar after a longball up the park found his feet. Rounding the 'keeper Barkhousir then fired a looping shot that rebounded off the crossbar and away.

Before halftime Anthony Prioa could have made it two-nil for Marconi but was called offside after putting the ball in the net.

Moments repeated themselves as Simonovic' chance to extend Marconi's lead went begging – the striker hit over – and then Barkhousir did the same but again hit the crossbar. One nil the scoreline at the break however Stallions were not the dominant team.

On 55 minutes Olympic fired back to equalise. After coming close all afternoon Barkhousir finally got his name on the scoresheet, slotting home from inside the box after a goalmouth scramble.

A late challenge, or foul language - or something - meant a straight red for Manni Giannaros and Olympic down to ten men for the final quarter of the match.

Despite the disadvantage Sydney Olympic continued to have chances to take the lead. Barkhousir continued to look dangerous and a one-on-one with the 'keeper had the Stallions on the back foot, the 'keeper forced to smother the ball.

Olympic's Paul Henderson kept his side in the game with a decent diving save late on, parrying the ball and taking it on the second attempt. 

One all the final result, leaving both sides to remain mid-table in the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 competition.