The Bears first chance came only 3mins later when Mick Ryan was close to pouncing on a Olympic defensive mistake that glanced across the goal and out for a corner.
Jamie Subat's work rate and determination has been fantastic this season and this was again on show in the 24th min when he battled for the ball with 3 defenders and still get a shot on goal that forced a good save from the Olympic keeper.
Bears keeper Tim Pratt continued his good start to the season with a fantastic save only 2mins later to keep the Bears level.
Robbie Turnbull was next to have a crack at goal but his long range effort didn't find the net in 39th min. Matt Toohey 2mins later took a different approach to Turnbull and attempted to score from close range and although he and other players felt the ball crossed the line the match officials disagreed and the score remained at 0-0.
The Bears were starting to look dangerous and in the 42nd min Nathan Morris took a perfectly placed free kick to Mick Holt who found the net for the Bears and a lead 1-0.
The clear cut chances slowed for both sides and although both keepers were kept busy snuffing out high balls from crosses neither were really tested for the next 30 mins of the game.
Olympic keeper Ben Kelly miss hit his goal kick and played the ball to Jamie Subat. Subat still had plenty of work to do after gaining the ball 45mts out from the Olympic goal but he made no mistake and took the ball towards and then put it past Kelly to extend the Bears lead to 2-0 after 77 mins.
The Bears took control of the match from this point and they made certain of the win in the 85th with some good play from Tyson Fletcher who's pin point ball found Mick Ryan who hammered home his volley into the bottom of the Olympic goal for a winning 3-0 lead.
In the 90th min Rhys Tippet found himself alone with only the Olympic keeper to beat, which he successfully did only to find 2 desperate Olympic defenders somehow make their way back and stick a leg out to deny Tippett his goal.
The match ended with a well deserved 3-0 win for the Bears. This win not only sees the Bears back into the top 4 but it also shows how far the Bears have come from the disappointments of last season with two 3-0 wins in 3 weeks over an Olympic side that many tipped to be premiers at season's end.
U/23's took on the previously unbeaten Olympic side and took away a strong 1-0 win. Joel Page added to his season tally with a well taken game winning goal.
U/18's struggled with playing their 2nd game in 3 days and although they battled hard and created many chances it was the Olympic side who took their chances and defeated the young Bears 0-3.
Next week the Bears are again at Thomas and Coffey park in what is the closest thing the Bears have to a local derby against West Wallsend. Both clubs share a long history of tough matches that go back to the early 1900's. The 1st round clash ended 1-1 in a game where both sides created countless chances in a very entertaining match at West Wallsend.
Gates open at 9:45.
C'MON YOU BEARS!!!!!!!!
Photos by Adam
