Bulli ended their 26 year wait for another title with a 2-0 victory over Albion Park White Eagles on the final day of the Illawarra Mercury Premier League season.

Two goals in the opening 45 minutes was enough to see the Northern Suburbs club claim the League Championship after falling a place short in both 2012 and 2013.

“It’s a relief for everyone at the club after being so close and quite agonising in the previous two seasons,” said Bulli boss Ben Smith, “it’s fantastic for everyone involved.”

“The boys were fantastic this year, consistent.

“Our really good performances were great and the bad performances weren’t all that bad so there wasn’t much deviation between our highs and lows.

“We only lost two in a 22 game season and I think that’s pretty good going.

“Those games that we drew and lost, we were well in the game as well so we never got too down when we didn’t get the result we wanted.”

Bulli showed their intent to wrap up the title early on with a plethora of chances as they assaulted the Albion Park goal in the opening 20 minutes.

The breakthrough came in the 24^th minute when Hayden Mowbray had his shot deflected over the Adam Rodriguez in the White Eagles’ goal and in for the 1-0 lead.

Albion Park found their feet a little more after the goal and pressed the Bulli defence in the hunt for an equaliser.

But it was Bulli that extended their lead just before the half time whistle when Scott Curran found the back of the net.

The midfielder worked his way into the wide area of the Albion Park box before hitting a deftly weighted shot over Rodriguez and into the far side of the goal.

Ben McDonald was active all throughout the second half but the towering striker couldn’t find the net on the day; forcing a number of good saves from Adam Rodriguez.

Chris Smith had a chance to pull Albion Park back into the game in the 60^th minute but couldn’t direct his shot into the net when through on goal.

Bulli continued to pressure the White Eagles’ goal but couldn’t convert any more chances with the two first half goals enough to secure the win.

“It was still mathematically possible for the result to go against us so to get the win and finish the season off well,” said Smith.

“We got the job done and that’s what today, was all about.

“We’ll just keep things pretty normal this week with maybe an extra session and a game with the youth team on the weekend.”

Bulli will use their break next weekend to prepare for either Wollongong United or Dapto Dandaloo Fury who face off in the Qualifying Final on Sunday.

2-0	Bulli FC	Albion Park White Eagles
Goals:	Hayden Mowbray (24’); Scott Curran (43’)
Bookings:	Dane Hamilton	Dane Treneski, Harvey Rodriguez

  Referee: Andrew Naylor

 

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter