Bulli showed their championship credentials with a crushing 5-0 win over rivals Dapto Dandaloo at Balls Paddock on Saturday.

The win sees Bulli extend their lead to four points at the top of the table as they look to go one better this season after finishing runners-up in each of the last two League Championships & Grand Finals.

Dean Heffernan was instrumental in taking apart the Fury defence as the former A-League man finished the game with a goal and two assists to his name.

But it was Bulli’s pressure on the ball all over the pitch that ultimately earned the victory as they forced Dapto Dandaloo into several costly errors on the day.

“The amount of pressure we put on them to turn the ball over was immense,” said Bulli Head Coach Ben Smith.

“It’s a great win and a great team effort, everyone played their role, we took our chances and weathered the pressure we knew they would bring.

“At the end of the day there’s still five games to go and if we’re not ready for Bellambi next week this won’t mean too much.

“To beat a team of that calibre, by that score-line is a big thing.”

After weathering some early pressure, Bulli took the lead in the 22^nd minute when Cameron Littler dispossessed Alvin Ceccoli on halfway before going the distance and calmly slotting the ball home.

Just before half time, the hosts made it 2-0 when Hayden Mowbray latched onto an inch-perfect cross from Heffernan on the left.

Heffernan was again involved just three minutes after the restart when he nodded home a beautifully whipped cross from Matthew Naylor to give Bulli a comfortable 3-0 margin.

The League Leaders again faced some heavy Dapto Dandaloo pressure as they searched for a way back into the game before adding two late goals to seal the match.

First in the 83^rd minute Heffernan broke through on goal before laying off to Ben McDonald for the open net tap-in and then three minutes later Scott Curran rose high to head in a corner and seal an emphatic win for Bulli.

“That’s the best I’ve seen a team play when we were in possession; they pressed us off the park,” said Dapto Dandaloo Head Coach Norm Boardman.

“We told the boys after the game that this is the level they have to get to if they want to win the competition

“There’s no excuses for a loss like this, they pressed us off the park and deserved the win; we were just poor today.”

The Fury will look to bounce back next round when they take on Albion Park while Bulli will have to motivate themselves to face a struggling Bellambi side.

Bulli FC 5 – 0 Dapto Dandaloo Fury

Referee: Andrew Naylor

 

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter