They played out the Illawarra Premier League's game of the season. Now, get ready for the follow-up act.
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Wollongong Olympic and Wollongong United will meet in a Bert Bampton Cup quarter-final at Macedonia Park on Monday, just eight days after George Antoniou's men secured a thrilling 5-4 win over their rivals.
In a game that had almost everything at PYC, Tory Musumeci and Mitsou Yamada both scored hat-tricks, while seven yellow cards were handed out. The result meant Olympic retained top spot on the IPL ladder.
At stake this time is an opportunity to advance to the Cup semi-finals, where the winner will join Bulli, Albion Park and Port Kembla. Bulli advanced with a 4-1 win over Cringila last Tuesday, while the White Eagles defeated South Coast United 3-0 and the Zebras beat Coniston 2-1 on the same day.
Monday's game continues a busy schedule for Olympic, who are undefeated this IPL season. The squad also reached the sixth round of this year's FFA Cup.
"It's another opportunity for us. We made it quite deep in the FFA Cup, we've had the Bert Bampton and obviously the league as well, so we've had to come up against some difficult scheduling," Olympic veteran Chris Price said.
"Rotations of the squad have been important. At the moment, we're struggling with not only injuries but have had quite a few suspensions as well. So to still be getting results, with all of that, is very good and we'll just take this week as it comes. It's another challenge and whoever plays will put their best foot forward and we'll see what we can do."
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While Wollongong United recorded a 3-0 win over the Blueys in the IPL on Saturday, Olympic head into Monday's game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Bulli.
Olympic jumped out to a 1-0 lead at Balls Paddock on the back of a Van Elia penalty but were reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute when defender James O'Rourke was sent off.
Youngster Deakin Brownlee equalised seven minutes after halftime. Bulli had their chances to claim the win in the second half, however, the home side failed to find the back of the net again.
For captain Ben McDonald, it was a "disappointing" result as Bulli fight with several sides for fifth position on the Premier League ladder.
"I thought in the second half we had the ascendancy, but we couldn't find that final pass to get the goal. It was disappointing but we'll move on. It is what it is," he said.
"I think, despite where we are on the ladder, we've got to take each game and play for a win. We rode our luck a bit early on, but it's still disappointing not to come up with three points. It's the old cliche that we've got to take it one week at a time, but that's what we've got to do. And we'll move onwards and upwards from next week."
In Saturday's other IPL matches, Albion Park recorded a 5-0 win over Cringila at Crehan Park; Port Kembla beat SCU 2-1 at Ian McLennan Park, while Woonona and Bellambi played out a 2-2 draw at Ocean Park.
Coniston claimed a 2-0 victory over Corrimal at Memorial Park on Sunday.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
