Billy Kathopoulis finds the net six times to seal Darwin Olympic’s return to top flight football

The old and the new star for Darwin Olympic as they announce their return to top flight football with a 9-1 thrashing of Palmerston Rovers in an FFA Cup qualifier

Darwin Olympic's skipper Mitch Amidy holds off Palmerston opponent Aiden Elton in their FFA Cup qualifier at Larrakia Park. Picture: Lou Reeve

DARWIN Olympic talisman Billy Kathopoulis had a lot to smile about after his six-goal return against Palmerston Rovers in the FFA Cup.

The Reds won the Cup qualifier 9-1 in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Darwin soccer’s headquarters, Kathopoulis announcing the club’s return to senior football with five goals in the first half and a superbly struck sixth 27 minutes into the second half.

“It’s a young squad and we’re rebuilding, but we’ve played under-19s together and Daymon (coach Daymon Port) has been a big part of that journey,’’ he told the NT News seconds after the final whistle.

“The good thing about it is we’ve got a lot of young boys who really love the club and they’re willing to work to make things happen.

“It’s not just on the field, we’re doing a lot off the pitch as well with fundraising and the like, so we’re building a great club culture.’’

Kathopoulis could not remember when he last scored six goals in a match.

“It’s been a while actually, I’ve been all over the park and in 2019 I was playing more as a right winger.

“But now I’m playing more in the centre of the park and I’ve got great experience with Mitch behind me which helps set up a lot of scoring.’’

Olympic got tremendous service from wingers Tobias Kogel and Dray Thompson in the first half until Kogel was rested.

An airtight defence led by Taine Stephensen shut down several Palmerston forward moves, apart from an opportunist lob by former Red Michael Reid that cleared substitute goalkeeper Themeli Magriplis on 62 minutes.

Olympic now advance to a second round qualifier against Uni Azzurri at Larrakia Park on May 11.

Darwin Olympic 9 (B Kathopoulis 8m, 13m, 23m, 29m, 32m, 72m, W Reeve 25m, T Lewko 80m, T Stephensen 90m) d Palmerston Rovers 1 (M Reid 62m). HT: 6-0.