Greenfield 0 BLACKBURN OLYMPIC 1

<p>After the disapointment of relegation from the 1st Division last season manager Dave Lloyd managed to keep a strong bunch of lads together and as such is aiming&nbsp;for a return to Blackburn's elite division at the first attempt.

<p>Not only keeping a strong squad but also bringing in new signings such as Joe Roberts, Andy Bucarry, Ian Mason and&nbsp;with Andy Eastwood and Stu Brown both returning for their second spell at the club, Olympic must be strong promotion candidates.

<p>Dave Lloyd suprised the team by switched from the 3-5-2 formation which has worked well in previous seasons and instead opted for a 4-4-2 - maybe a sign of things to come ...

<p>Rob Plummer and Tamas Barath were both away on international duty with Wales and Hungary respectively.&nbsp; Stu Clarke & Andy Bucarry&nbsp;were both carrying injuries picked up in pre-season&nbsp;with Ben Parker still sitting through suspension&nbsp;for GBH last season (well&nbsp;deserved GBH might I add, cocky shit).&nbsp;

<p>Chris Mason slotted in in goal with a back four of Phil Scott, Will Sharples, Andy Eastwood & Stu Brown.&nbsp; Making his league debut on the right was Joe Roberts with Ste Round on the left.&nbsp; Carl Black and Lee Grundy anchored the middle which left last years top scorers Chris Tomlinson and Richard Sholicar in attack.&nbsp; You can't help but think if Olympic had the firepower of these two for the whole of last season things would have been much different.

<p>Greenfield wern't to be taken lightly for they also possessed a strong squad and were clearly capable of an upset.&nbsp; New captain Chris Tomlinson lost the toss and Olympic were forced to kick uphill in the first half.

<p>It was almost a nightmare start for Olympic as they gifted a chance to the opponents within the first few minutes, luckily there was no one to get on the end of a ball that flashed across goal.&nbsp; Olympic then grabbed the game by both horns and started competing for every ball.&nbsp; The ball was being knocked around and both teams knew they were in for a tough game.

<p>Olympic carved out numerous changes in the first half mostly through Big Chris and Little Sholi however the goalkeeper wasn't worked as much as he should have been.&nbsp; Lee Grundy and Carl Black couldn't hit a barn door with dismal long range efforts but it was still Olympic who went in the happier side&nbsp;at half time with Mason only having to make occasional routine stops.

<p>After a goalless first half, the score at half time&nbsp;was 0-0.&nbsp; You know what they say - sometimes in football you have to score goals and thats exactly what Olympic did midway through the second half.&nbsp; Olympic won a throw in deep in Greenfield's half.&nbsp; Andy Eastwood wound up and launched the ball into the mixer were Sholicar out muscled 3 grown men to get a flick on the ball into the path of Tomlinson who calmly headed the ball home from 3 yards.&nbsp; Tomlinson off the mark in the opening game with hopefully many more to come.

<p>The goal sparked the opposition into action and it was very much backs against the wall to the final whistle.&nbsp; Olympic lost all shape however, despite not having much possession Mason wasn't really tested in Olympic's goal.

<p>With 5 minutes remaining Dave Lloyd made a tactical change and moved the man mountain Richard Sholicar to the back to form a back five and hopefully to hold to the points.&nbsp; That left Tomlinson upfront on his own but it was he who could have doubled his tally with&nbsp;a swift counter attacking move had he not been adjudged to be offside despite being in his own half.&nbsp; Cheeting fuckpigs.

<p>Olympic were nearly caught with their pants down in the last minute as a cross wasn't dealt with properly and fell to Greenfield's left back Ryan Cotton inside the box however&nbsp;he possessed the composure of Emile Heskey and blazed the ball high and wide.

<p>A great start for Olympic against a team who will be certainly up there at the end of the season.&nbsp; A rare clean sheet for a solid goalkeeping and defensive display.&nbsp; Olympic will surely be able to build on this performance against Rishton next time out.&nbsp; Dave Lloyd hasn't texted me back yet with the player ratings or man of the match award so it's my call.&nbsp; A few players&nbsp;could have had a shout for the man of the match award sponsorerd by Jeter Packson the Jewellers however Stu Brown gets the nod.