Wollongong Olympic came from a goal down to defeat Corrimal Rangers 3-1 at PCYC on Saturday afternoon.
The home side found themselves behind later in the first half when Bruno Gervasoni found the top corner. However, Rick Goodchild equalised just before the break. Olympic’s star signing Jason Madonis proved the difference, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to earn his team all three points.
Five minutes in, the hosts created the first meaningful chance of the match. Jarvis Paterson was slipped in behind down the left and squared it to Sandy Lowcock, who edged it goalwards, but Corrimal goalkeeper Blake Coad managed to palm it away.
Olympic continued to probe, and two minutes later, Paterson threatened again, sending a powerful left-footed strike from the right of the box just over.
The side had another opportunity in the 10th minute when Goodchild’s in-swinging left-sided cross found Kyle Jackson at the back post, but Coad repelled well from close range.
Midway through the half, Olympic went forward once more. Nick Littler getting on the right of a right-sided free-kick at the back post, however, heading over.
The Rangers started to drag the momentum back in their favour and took a shock lead 39 minutes in. Gervasoni picking out the top right corner from the edge of the box.
Corrimal almost added a second four minutes later when Tory Musumeci took aim from the right edge of the box, forcing Ben McGinnes to bat the ball away.
Just seconds later, Olympic restored parity. Goodchild with a precise long-range effort that beat Coad.
The visitors had an opportunity to take a lead into the break in stoppage time when they forced a giveaway deep in Olympic half. Gervasoni received the ball and sought out the bottom right corner, with McGinnes able to tip it around the left post.
Despite Olympic’s early pressure, Corrimal forced their way into the contest, with the teams level at halftime.
Gervasoni was quickly involved after halftime, latching onto a ball into the right of the box and volleying within inches of the left post.
After this early second-half shot, the game did not see another significant event until the 69th minute. Corrimal midfielder Keegan Matias given his marching orders for his second yellow card of the match.
Corrimal remained a presence in attack even though they were a player down.
In the 73rd minute, Musumeci took on a swerving, dipping effort from outside the box that required a strong palm over the top from McGinnes.
The home side stepped up their pressure as the game moved into the final 10 minutes, getting more deliveries into the box.
The breakthrough came with six regular minutes to play. Substitute Kade Kinsella hit a shot from the right of the box that looked to be dragging wide, but Madonis met it at the far post and tapped the ball into an empty net.
Madonis put the result beyond doubt in the final moments. Brendan Low drove a ball across from left to right, finding the former Sydney United 58 attacker who had another simple finish.
Wollongong Olympic saw out was remained to pick up another three points at the start of the 2024 Illawarra Premier League season.
The side travel to Port Kembla next Saturday night, while Corrimal host Cringila Lions on Sunday.
Report by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_
Photos courtesy of Graham Brown
