Olympia 1 All Saints 0 (23 Feb 2003)
Location: ye old Coppermill Lane
Report source - Tas (I'm still trying my best to head the ball) Gregoriou
RETURN OF ‘THE MAC’ CLINCHES FIRST VICTORY FOR OLYMPIA
Olympia won their first game of the season due to a hard working team performance and in particular ‘the return of the Mac’.
The difference between the sides was veteran player John Macfarlan now 40 years of age who played for the team many years ago whilst on Coventry’s City’s books, the question ‘how did the sky blues let him go’? must be asked.
The game began quickly as the referee tried to impose himself. ‘All Saints’ were the better team and Chris (son of Angeli) performed heroics to keep out their lively forwards.
The game then developed into a scrappy affair as both sides committed many fouls and the referee failed to use the advantage rule. 0-0 at half time and Olympia’s players were tired but relieved the scores were level with the 2nd half yet to come.
George Achilleas the manager for the day praised the team and encouraged the young players to keep going. (Team manager Steve Orfanos was away in Cyprus on a scouting mission).
The second half began and defenders were trying to cope with the bumpy pitch and keep their balance. However on a couple of occasions this proved difficult and the ball was soon nestling in the nearby tree. At this point the Lymbia committee searched for a useful tool and subsequently found a ‘cross bar’ to help retrieve the ball. Hilarious scenes as 10 men tried to poke the ball out from the branches and with the will of these guys it was no surprise that they succeeded.
Back to the game and Olympia’s Macfarlan started to take control organising and harassing his troops. With just 20 minutes remaining the veteran played a superb defence splitting through ball to young striker Nick who calmly lifted it over the advancing goalkeeper. Olympia’s players and supporters went wild and could now sense a rare victory.
All Saints were now becoming nervous as each attack broke down and soon they took out their frustration on the referee Nicos.
Olympia managed to hold on and the final whistle brought a huge cheer from the biggest attendance of the season, 47 people.
Man of the Match John Macfarlan was later asked if he would play for the rest of the season, he replied, ‘don’t be silly, I only came for one game to get you the three points. It was a favour to Panny. What a confident old man!
Lymbia.com wish the team more success, hopefully a good cup run too and also ask ‘the Mac’ to return for at least another game.
Ayios Pantos 4 Olympia 1 (09 Feb 2003)
Location: Market Road (what a terrible pitch!)
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
OLYMPIA SHOW FIGHTING SPIRIT IN CRUSHING DEFEAT
Tricky conditions, a young, quick team that adapted better, all led to Olympia’s downfall last Sunday at Market Road.
Both teams had to cope with a wet astro-turf where the ball was skidding off and making it hard to control and keep your balance.
Ayios Pantos started well and a series of shots and crosses put Olympia’s rearguard under immense pressure.
However with the scores at 0-0, Olympia put together some attacks and although in vain confidence improved a little. It was at this point that Ayios Pantos against the run of play scored and then looked like adding to their lead.
Olympia had to respond and they did so in style with a superb free kick from George Pallecaros, who scored from a difficult angle, placing the ball above the goalkeeper in the top corner.
The half time break saw Olympia’s players cramped in a tiny changing room. Team Manager Steve asked the players to play just as they had done towards the end of the first half. Charlie gave out the tea & oranges while Assistant Manager Costa had a little moan and asked each player to concentrate on their opposing players.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Ayios Pantos dominating and it was not long before they extended their lead. More attacks followed and the score was soon 4-1 to the home side with Olympia only managing the odd attack.
John in Olympia’s goal, Andy Achillea and Pantelis were the outstanding performers and gave everything. The team spirit was also good and even though Olympia are rooted to the bottom of Division 2 the players never argued with each other and kept their composure. The next league game is on Sunday 16th February at Coppermill Lane 2pm kick off, against Cosmos as the Lymbianous aim for their first win and 3 points in the bag.
CYPRIA - OLYMPIA 1:6 (29 Apr 2001)
Location: Northumberland Park Astro
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
OLYMPIA FIND IT EASY IN FINAL LEAGUE GAME
Even a last minute goal-keeping change didn't prevent Olympia from comfortably brushing aside the threat of Cypria at Northumberland Astro in Tottenham. Leas Achillea was the hero for the day playing as a temporary keeper and giving the impression that he was a natural.
Pantelis continued his superb goal scoring form with a brace, bringing back memories of the great Martin Duncan, remember the cocky Olympia striker in the eighties who played with his shorts pushed up to his arse (Panny you owe me a drink).
Also on the scoreboard were Andy (five bellies) Achillea who promises to beat the flab this summer and help the Lymbiani survive in the 1st Division. Paul, Darren and George Pallecaros also scored.
Olympia now look forward to a cup run and hope that there will be much support to ensure that they get through to the next round.
Man of the match - - Andy Achillea
Olympia vs Famagusta 3:1 (22 Apr 2001)
Location: Coppermill Lane
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
OLYMPIA PROMOTED AND VICTORIOUS AT THE LANE
Olympia have been promoted to the Kopa First division finishing in third place after defeating Champions Famagusta at Coppermill Lane in front of a crowd in excess of 50 people.
The Lymbiani started the game is excellent fashion scoring twice through 'hot shot' Panteli. Caretaker Manager Chris Marcou said "He does have a cool head in front of goal for someone so young". Olympia kept attacking the opposition and George Pallecaros scored the third.
Olympia started the second half well and continued to play a brand of football not seen at the Lane for many months. This really was an excellent game for the spectators. George Pallecaros, Pantelis and Tasos combining with style and panache to unsettle Famagusta's defence. Good performances also by Chris Marcou, Andy and Lea Achillea.
However Famagusta slowly started to improve and scored a late consolation goal. Olympia's victory though was never in doubt and promotion was confirmed when Doek failed to beat Dynamo. So there is much to look forward to next term as Olympia aim to stay in the 1st Division for at least 2 seasons and create history, a feat no Olympia team has managed to do.
Man of the match - George Pallecaros
Olympia vs Dynamo 2:3 (08 Apr 2001)
Location: Coppermill Lane
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
OLYMPIA DROP MORE POINTS IN PROMOTION CHASE
Olympia failed to beat Dynamo and left the supporters wondering if the club would get promoted with 2 games remaining.
The kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes due to the referee not being told about the new start time of 10am, some of Olympia's players were also on the road to Manchester to watch the Spurs Vs Arsenal Semi-final.
The game started slowly with both teams rarely threatening to score. However just before half-time Olympia broke the deadlock with a poacher's effort from Panteli (booshkooie) who just can't stop scoring of late.
After half time Dynamo then came back into the game and scored three times due to poor defending from the Lymbiani. Georgiou then scored a late consolation for Olympia but it was a case of too little - too late.
Credit must go to Chris Markou who took over the team due to manager Johnny Mac's absence - probably busy selling tickets for the semi-final games.
Olympia now look forward to the next game which is on 22 April 01 at home vs promoted Famagusta at Coppermill Lane - 11am. Hopefully the players can improve even after a feast of souvla and sheftalias on Easter Sunday.
As one Olympia player said recently (who shall not be named), "if there was a cup for eating the most food then we would win it every year".
Olympia vs Armenians 3:2 (01 Apr 2001)
Location: Rectory Park, Yeading
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
BOOSHGOOIE SAVES THE DAY
Olympia just about scraped a 3-2 win at Rectory Park against Armenians to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Pantelis known to the Lymbia village as 'booshkooie' ensured that victory was possible with two first half strikes to put Olympia two goals ahead. Armenians pulled one goal back to make this scrappy game a tight affair. Paul Lees then responded with a corker of a goal smashed into the top corner to make the score 3-1 to Olympia.
The half-time break was an opportunity for Olympia's players to catch a much-needed breather due to an energy sapping muddy pitch. Charlie's lovely eliobittes made with juicy large black olives were munched by players and supporters alike. Strange to think that bread, onions and olives could give the players a boost.
It seemed to work as Olympia began the second half brightly creating some good chances to score. However Armenians were determined to make a fight of it and scored a scrappy second goal to leave the Lymbiani hanging on at the finish.
At the end of the game Olympia's supporters breathed a sigh of relief as the points were in the bag. Manager Johnny Mac said later "It makes we wonder why I bother shouting at the players when no-one listens", he then added, "let me know if anyone wants tickets for the Arsenal - Spurs semi - final".
Next game is at home vs. Dynamo at Coppermill Lane - morning kick off time to be confirmed.
Olympia vs Doek 3:3 (25 Mar 2001)
Location: New River Sports Centre
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
LEES BROTHERS SALVAGE POINT FOR OLYMPIA
Olympia failed to pick up all three points against South Londoners Doek at 'bogey' ground New River, White Hart Lane.
Another poor start by the Lymbianous resulted in giving Doek a three goal start within the first 15 minutes of the game. Olympia's goalkeeper made blunders that are more familiar in a children's playground than on a football pitch. New Olympia Manager John Mcfarland, known to the players as 'Johnnie Mac' was fuming at his team's failure to start the game well. John later said, "We gifted the opposition three goals and only then did we wake up".
Darren Lees pulled one back for Olympia and now the comeback was a reality especially as the players were starting to get rid of Saturday's nights hangovers.
The turning point of the game occurred just minutes later when Olympia was awarded a free-kick close to the halfway line. It was taken very quickly and resulted in the Olympia's second goal. Doek's supporters were furious with the referee blaming him for allowing the free-kick to be taken too quickly while the Doek players were not ready. Over the years this fixture has always been heated and sometimes bad tempered, possibly due to the North/South element. However this goal stood. 3-2 to Doek.
Olympia now had a fresh impetus and could sense that an equaliser was imminent. They were right. Moments later it was 3-3 and Olympia's players were relieved to go in at half-time with the scores level.
Doek started the second half more brightly and looked most likely to take the lead. However both teams missed good opportunities and the game ended a draw. Although Olympia's players will be asking why the referee blew the final whistle early just when three players were bearing down on goal to score the winner, (maybe he was keen to avoid a riot, can you blame him?)
The result means that Olympia are now 4th from top on 20 points from 12 games, 4 games remain and promotion is a reality as the Lymbiani have 2 games in hand of the teams at the top.
Leyton vs Olympia 4:2 (17 Jan 2001)
Goal Scorers: Pantelli and Christos Louca
Report source - Taso Gregoriou
Brave Olympia go out of Challenge Cup
The long awaited re-arranged Challenge Cup game finally took place in
Leytonstone.
On a bitterly cold evening with the Astroturf frozen and rock hard Olympia
started the game with a 4-5-1 formation and hoping not to concede a goal in
the first 15 minutes.
However Leyton started strongly and scored after 10 minutes with a deep
cross being tapped in from a forward player creeping in on the blind side
of Panteli. Leyton quickly scored an excellent second goal and looked
comfortable as Olympia rarely threatened.
With just five minutes remaining till half time Olympia got a vital goal
when Panteli scored with a 2 yard cushioned goal after a good inventive
move by the Olympia midfield.
Louca ripped into his players at half time asking why the players were
trying to play good football in poor conditions.
Olympia started the 2nd half well and had more possession.
Unfortunately for both teams supporters a highly regrettable incident
occurred just minutes into the second half.
Pantelis attacked the ball strongly in the centre circle and accidentally
fell to the floor, a Leyton player caught Panteli while he was on the floor with a kick on the ankle, Andy Achilleas spotted this and appeared to swing a punch on the Leyton player - a free for all took place in the centre circle resulting with Andy and a Leyton player being sent off.
Louca then sent on Olympia's veteran players Lea, Taso and Chris Markou in order to salvage the match. Within 2 minutes of the substitution Taso and Christos Louca exchanged passes with the latter scoring an excellent equaliser. However Olympia's goalkeeper got caught up in the celebrations and ran to the half way line to celebrate.
The quick thinking Leyton player then shot straight at goal from the
resulting kick off and chipped the keeper who was sprinting back in vain.
3-2 to Leyton. Louca was understandably furious.
With just 10 minutes remaining Leyton scored the fourth which finished off the tired and freezing cold Olympia players.
Lympia.com man of the match - Andy Georgiou
Lympia.com entertainment value - 8/10
All Saints v Olympia FC 2:3 (17/12/2000)
Goal Scorers: A.Achillea (2), Mel
Report source - Panny
Olympia got another 3 points in the bag even with their worst performance of the season.
After going behind twice in the first half, goals from Mel and Andy (captain), ended the first half 2:2.
A half time rollocking by Lucas (manager) and Mush, which had the players hiding behind the trees and bushes of market road, resulted in a different Olympia FC team emerging from the changing rooms to enter the pitch for the second half.
Calm, stupendous, high standard defending from the likes of Pantelis, had the supporters wondering what Lucas had said to them in the changing rooms.
Olympia stole the game with a 3:2 win, and a contender for goal of the season by Andy Achillea.
Lympia.com man of the match - Andy Achillea.
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