THIS was Riada FC and Olympic’s second meeting of the season, and Olympic threatened to upset Riada’s title challenge and also gain revenge for their defeat earlier in the year.
Riada came away from this fixture with all three points despite unde
rperforming, and Olympic will feel that this was a missed opportunity to cause an upset.
However, Olympic will have another chance to beat their local rivals when the two teams meet in the quarter finals of the Constitution Cup at the end of the month.
The first half was a competitive affair, but the quality of football was not good, especially from Riada, who gave away possession too easily and too often.
Olympic went ahead after 20 minutes when a long ball was flicked on, and Chris Hanson raced through and coolly slotted past Bryan Moore. Both teams could only manage a couple of efforts on goal before half time, Olympic had a free kick just wide, and Dale Armstrong blazed over from twelve yards. Olympic finished the half in confident mood, but the score remained 1-0.
Riada had a stern talking to from manager Cairns and started the second half with a higher tempo. They started to pass the ball better and put pressure on their opponents. On 58 minutes, a free kick from the right was delivered in with pace by Simon Ryder, and Ty Armstrong out jumped the defence to equalise with a great header.
Duffy came on for Brownlow, and his introduction paid dividends five minutes later, he picked the ball up on the left and fed Mark McKane who beat keeper Dunlop at his near post. A third goal for Riada would have killed the game off, but it never came.
Olympic had a couple of attacks that caused the league leaders some nervy moments, but the game finished 2-1 to Riada.
Of the chasing pack Upperlands, Dunaghy and Magherafelt Reds games were postponed, while Kilrea beat West Bann 2-1, and Portrush drew with Heights.
Next week Riada visit Dunaghy, while Olympic travel to Heights.
