An underdone Newcastle Breakers recorded their first point of the season in a 2-2 result against a sharper Sydney UTS Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground tonight. While the Breakers first up effort was riddled with mistakes, the team showed it had that trademark resilience and sprit to hold off some beautiful one-touch football from Olympic.
Olympic replied to an early headed goal by Mark Wilson with two goals of superb quality. The Breakers defence was repeatedly breached down the flanks, with the second Olympic goal a dynamite strike by Ante Juric after Pablo Cardozo carved up the Breakers left. The Breakers had early chances also, with Andy Harper showing pace to outrun the Olympic defence on a couple of occasions, only to be foiled by the goalkeeper, Jim Kourtis.
The second Olympic goal just before half time resulted from one to many back play passes. Chris Kalantzis took full advantage after a poor Bob Catlin clearance to the feet of Cardozo. Down 1-2 at half time, the Breakers fortunes changed just after the break with the dismissal of former Breaker Scott Thomas for his second crude tackle.
The rest of the game was evenly balanced despite Olympic being one short. The Breakers finally took advantage with a second ball into the penalty area. Andy Harper pounced and the ball looped into the goal out of the reach of Kourtis. Breakers nearly took all points when a speculative long range shot from newly introduced Luke Tomich struck the crossbar. All in all, the Breakers can be well pleased to steal a point. The Breakers play their first home match next Friday night against Wollongong Wolves who were surprise 3-2 victors over South Melbourne.