Olympic started the game strong and almost had the Bears 1 down after only 5mins of play.
The nightmare started for the Bears in the 12th min when a horrible mix up in the defence handed Olympic the lead 0-1. Bears keeper Tim Pratt made a great diving save to deny Olympic another in the 17th min.
With things looking ominous for the Bears it was pleasing to see the boys fight back (albeit if it was only for a brief period) and they enjoyed the better of the play for the next 10mins. Nathan Morris came close with his signature long range scud, the shot just sailed over the bar and forced the small group of supporters in the members stand to scatter like seagulls. Jason Cowburn also had a great chance in this period when he almost levelled with a header from a Morris free kick.
The Bears finally did find the net in the 34th min but unfortunately it was at the wrong end of the pitch to go down 0-2. Olympic then put the writing on the wall for the Bears with a further 2 more goals in the 37th & 39th mins to make the half time score an embarrassing 0-4.
The score line looked certain to be extended in the 58th min when Olympic once again broke through the Bears defence for a 1 on 1 with Bears keeper Pratt. Pratt spread himself well and executed the save.
The Bears looked to be limiting the damage some what in the 61st min when Jason Cowburn found the net with a well taken header from a pin point Morris corner to make the score 1-4.
Olympic now totally dominated the game with many chances on goal. They managed to covert a further 4 goals to absolutely hammer the Bears 1-8.
Discipline once again was a problem for the Bears and for the 2nd week running the side was reduced to 10 men. Jason Cowburn was shown a straight red card for dissent and several yellow cards were handed to Bears players also for dissent.
Thomas and Coffey Park (Bear Park) has in the past witnessed some very large scores in favour of the Bears but it is doubtful if such a large defeat has ever been handed to the Bears 1st team at the ground.
U/23â€TMs collected another come from behind win defeating a strong Olympic side 2-1.
William Whitelaw reacted well after a header on goal rebounded of the post to Whitelaw whose strike levelled the scores at 1-1. Max Wallington scored a late screamer to give the side a well earned 2-1 win.
U/18â€TMs have had a mixed season to date but this game would have to go down as one of their best. Olympic are sitting at the top of the U/18â€TMs table and looking the goods but the Bears took the game to them and would have won the game if not for a poor referee decision. The match official allowed play to continue when it was clear the ball had cleared the goal line before being cleared by an Olympic defender. To the young Bears credit they took this in their stride and Luke Campbell gave the referee no doubt when he bulged the back of net. The match finished 1-1.
Next week the Bears travel over the mountain to West Wallsend in what is always a hard match. West Wallsend have started the season well and are right in the mix for the play offs at seasons end, while the Bears appear to just have pride to play for. Their pride will be hurting after such a flogging against Olympic and this game will no doubt test the character of the current crop of Bears players.
CMON YOU BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
