Though the faithful flocked in numbers to the North Sydney Oval on Friday night, it was the chorus of boos at the final whistle that bore testament to this dour home opener for the Spirit, as visitors Olympic shaded a contest that was sterile at best.
The writing was firmly emblazoned on the wall from the opening 10 minutes, during which Spirit hardly mustered anything resembling decent possession. Branko Culina's young side looked far more accomplished on the ball and maybe with an injection of pure self belief they could have been heading back to Belmore as proud leaders of the early season ladder.
New signing Troy Halpin was at the hub of all that was creative in the early exchanges, and his addition to the Olympic ranks amid an off season exodus of talent could be a master stroke by Culina. So too could be the elevation of the energetic Nick Carle in attack and it was the 19-year-old who almost broke the deadlock after 13 minutes.
After collecting a characteristically sloppy pass from Noel Spencer on the right hand side, the outstanding Lyndsay Wilson surged forward into Matthew Langdon territory, and after shirking a couple of challenges his square ball found Carle loitering in the area. Gifted more time than he probably realised, the young star managed a low effort that 'Keeper Henderson turned round his near post superbly low down.
If the crowd saw that opening as a call to arms they were to be disappointed as the contest submerged itself once again into midfield mediocrity.
It took 22 minutes for Spirit to register a strike of worth. Troy Cranney picked out Paul Bilokapic in a crowded Olympic box, but his hurried snap shot was gathered cleanly by the impressive Clint Bolton.
Two minutes later though, Spirit almost grabbed the lead. The strong aerial presence of English striker Ben Burgess was a sporadic menace to the Olympic backline and when he was afforded two bites at a Robbie Slater cross, his header down found Gabriel Mendez unmarked 6 yards out. Bolton was alert to repel his fierce drive but so too was the linesman, who was flagging feverishly for offside.
After Scott Baillie had blazed a pin-point Halpin free kick over the bar, Spirit's mini-resurgence continued when Bolton could only parry Bilokapic's 25 yard drive. Matthew Bingley pounced on the rebound but could only flick a centre straight into the relieved custodians arms when the opportunity deserved far better.
Olympic almost started the second half in sensational fashion. Nick Carle's cheeky back heel unlocked the Spirit defence and with Lyndsay Wilson suddenly staring at the whites of Henderson's eyes, the Spirit 'keeper turned away his angled goalbound effort for a corner, much to the dismay of Olympic's travelling masses gathered on the hill.
One key tactical battle being won on the park for Olympic was Wilson's total dominance of young danger Matt Langdon. Such was the dominance of the Olympic wing-back that not only was Langdon's lucious left peg kept in check, it was Wilson himself who was looking the most dangerous attacker for the visitors.
After Mendez had come closest for Spirit with a curling set piece, Olympic suddenly produced the best passage of play of the entire evening. Combining in a way that will have Culina salivating, Halpin and Carle exchanged possession three times in and around a bemused Spirit backline, and had Carle's touch been lighter on Halpin's killer ball 8 yards out, Olympic would have been celebrating a beautifully crafted opener. Unfortunately for the boys from Belmore, Carle's control was poor and Henderson gathered cleanly at his feet.
The last chance of a lifeless encounter fell at the feet of giant Olympic stopper Ante Juric. Juric is never shy to get in amongst opposing defences, but his wayward shot when clean through 15 yards out had him holding his head in despair. He knew that on a night of famine any tiny scrap needed to be gobbled down.
Cue the boos.
WHAT THEY SAID....
For coach Graham Arnold, who amid the thankless toil had given a solid display at sweeper, the assessment was frank, "It wasn't a great performance by any means but this is a long season. The reason I played was because back in July I asked Rangers for an experienced player at the back and an experienced player upfront and they had trouble to deliver that. They have promised that it will come because we still need to strengthen the side. After last week we had to go back and start again."
Asked whether the young number 30 at the back had much of a future, Arnold joked, "I won't be young tomorrow I can tell you, but I still love playing. It is short term situation, and if I can get us off to a reasonable start then hopefully if they can find me someone then I can go back and sit on the bench to cop the abuse from there."
For his opposite number Branko Culina, an unbeaten start to the season could be a real platform to build from, "It's all down to the players who have worked very hard in the off season, we've picked up a couple of players who have gelled really quickly. Nicky (Carle)has been oustanding for us in both games and in the first half here I thought he ran rings around the Spirit defenders, but he's finding it a little difficult to last the distance as these are his first full games for a long time, but when he is on fire we look very very good."
"Last year was a bit of a combination of injuries and suspensions and that just destroyed us, but have we got enough depth this year?, I don't think so, however our younger players are better prepared this year than they were last year."