Wollongong United handed Bulli their first loss in 13 games with a 2-1 win at Balls Paddock on Saturday.

Four weeks ago United knocked Dapto Dandaloo down from first place and they’ve once again made things interesting at the top by defeating front runners Bulli.

A gutsy defensive display and a second half screamer from Adrian Nikolovski helped third placed Wollongong to a four point buffer over South Coast United in fourth.

“We came in not expecting much, we just kept our structure and kept our shape well throughout the game and pounced on our opportunities,” said Wollongong boss Oliver Vrtkovski.

“We spoke about the game plan during the week, we’ve got the players that are smart enough to do that and it obviously worked for us today.

“Credit to Bulli, they squandered a lot of chances before we got the goals but sometimes you have to get lucky.

“This certainly helps our chances of making the five and letting us compete in the finals.”

Bulli were certainly guilty of being abject in front of goal as they left a number of chances to score go by during the match.

Wollongong keeper Sam Nastic was forced into action early when he saved first from Ben McDonald and then again from Cameron Littler on the rebound in just the 3rd minute of the game.

Hayden Mowbray had a great chance to put Bulli into the lead in the 36^th minute but could only push McDonald’s cutback wide of the goal.

United showed more of an attacking threat early in the second half before Nikolovski gave them the lead in the 55^th minute.

The winger shifted the ball onto his left foot 25 yards out before lashing a swerving shot across the Bulli goal and in.

The visitors were forced to weather more pressure from Bulli before Scott Burleigh capitalised on an error to double Wollongong’s advantage.

The fullback was left criminally unmarked in the box on a corner which he easily nodded home with just 10 minutes remaining in the game.

Things got even worse for Bulli when with just five minutes left, goalkeeper Bryce Daenell was shown a red card for handling the ball outside his box and denying a goal scoring opportunity.

Ben McDonald pulled a goal back for Bulli in the 95^th minute but it proved to be too little, too late for the Northern Suburbs Club.

“Credit to Wollongong United, they had a game plan and they executed it well,” said Bulli coach Ben Smith.

“If we’d taken maybe half our chances it would’ve made it difficult for them as well.

“The positive for us that we created a lot of chances against quality opposition but if you don’t score you don’t win.”

Wollongong United can confirm their place in the finals with a win over Albion Park White Eagles next weekend while Bulli will look to bounce back with victory over Tarrawanna.

 

1-2	Bulli FC	Wollongong United
Goals:	B. McDonald (95’)	A .Nikolovski (55’); S. Burleigh (83’)
Bookings:	B. Daenell (R)	B. Reilly (Y)

                                                               B. Fordham (Y)
                                                               D. Heffernan

 Referee: Tomas Royall

 

Julian Keith 

FSC Reporter