Macarthur FC have brushed aside any pre-season doubters with a convincing 3-0 victory over Newcastle Olympic at No 2 Sportsground in the FFA Cup round of 32.
Early possession was plentiful for Macarthur FC though they failed to capitalise after some scattered Olympic defence. Continuous passing outside the box kept Olympic on their toes but diffused any Macarthur opportunity.
Frustration soon built, with an early yellow card to winger Craig Noone after belting the ball away following a handball.
Olympic defender Kane Treble was a solidifying factor to Noone’s frustration, stopping any right-side attacking movements with some textbook shadowing and blocking.
An incredible outstretched arm from Olympic goalkeeper Adam Pearce wasn’t enough to stop the ensuing corner kick. Macarthur’s Aleksandar Jovanovic headed a wayward corner cross into the goal to break the deadlock in the 38th minute.
Minutes later, Macarthur’s right-wing attack finally succeeded with a 40th-minute Craig Noone cross for striker Lachlan Rose, sending Macarthur 2-0 up into half-time.
The second half began as the first began, ball possession reigning supreme for Macarthur and Olympic’s defence holding steadily.
The crossing finesse kept coming, with another Rose header finding the net in the 60th minute to put the Bulls up 3-0.
Minutes later, the striker missed a chance for a hat-trick. Twice.
Macarthur’s superior match fitness wore down Olympic around the park with the NPL club failing to put any attacking phases together. Eventually, handing the ball straight back to the Bulls to continue their onslaught.
Macarthur will progress into the round of 16 and go into week one of the A-League Men’s season in winning fashion with Newcastle Olympic exiting the FFA Cup with a disappointing defeat.
Macarthur FC 3 (Jovanovic 38′, Rose 40′, 60′)
Newcastle Olympic 0 FC
Stadium: No.2 Sportsground Newcastle
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees Ryan Gallagher & Conor Markovich
Fourth Official: Craig Fisher
Newcastle Olympic FC: Adam PEARCE (GK) (Daniel EISENHAUER 86′), Tom DAVIES, Marcus DUNCAN, Luke RUTLEDGE (Kye FAUCHON 86′), Tom CURRAN, Rhys COOPER (C), Jared MULLER, Blake GREEN, Louis TOWNSEND (Luke VALLONE), Jarrod DODDS (Daniel MCKINNON), Kane TREBLE
Unused Subs: Kyle HODGES, Jacob BAILEY, Jackson BURSTON
Macarthur FC: Nicholas SUMAN (GK), James MEREDITH, Aleksandar JOVANOVIC (Aleksandar SUSNJAR 86′), Daniel DE SILVA, Jordon MUTCH, Ulises DAVILA (C), Moudi NAJJAR, Craig NOONE (Jake HOLLMAN 76′), Tomislav USKOK, Charles, M’MOMBWA (Thomas OAR 76′), Lachlan ROSE
Unused Subs: Liam ROSE, Antonis MARTIS, Levi KAYE (GK)
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