With his 26^th goal of the season, Ben McDonald helped set up his Bulli side’s win over Finals rivals Albion Park White Eagles in the last round of the regular season. But the Premier League’s leading scorer limped off shortly after half time with an ankle injury, leaving Bulli coach Ben Smith to hope that his main marksman will have time to recover ahead of Thursday’s semi-finals.

Bulli’s 2-1 win guaranteed them second spot on the ladder going into the Finals, while the White Eagles knew even before kick-off that they would end the season in fourth.

Even though they were resting some key players, there was no sign of complacency from the visitors to Balls Paddock on Sunday.

Albion Park raced to an early lead when Shaun McRae latched onto a cross whipped in by Daniel Ferraro and gave Ben McGinnes in the Bulli goal little chance with his right foot shot.

A minute late McRae almost doubled the lead when Jack Balmforth set him up on the edge of the area, but this time Guy Knight got his body in the way before the White Eagles striker could pull the trigger.

Albion Park continued to create the better chances through the first half hour. David Polidoro picked up a loose ball and powered past two defenders before unleashing a shot that was taken by McGinnes at the second attempt. And it was McRae again who came close when he feigned to pass but instead sent a pile-driver against the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Balmforth couldn’t quite get a final touch on the ball when McGinnes got himself tangled up by his own far post after losing control of a back pass.

Until that point, Bulli had been building pressure but without a serious threat on the White Eagles’ goal. Knight came closest when his looping header from a corner had to be tipped onto the bar by Bryce Daenell in the Albion Park goal.

It was a neat one-two between McDonald and Cameron Littler that set up Bulli’s first goal on 35 minutes, with McDonald finishing the move by stroking the ball into the net low to Daenell’s right.

And just before the break, Bulli took the lead when Julian Minutillo, making amends for some wayward shooting earlier in the half, sent a half volley into the back of the net, giving Daenell no chance.

The second half was a scrappy affair, with neither side creating much. Substitutions came thick and fast, with the White Eagles showing their intent by bringing on Chris Smith for his first run in three weeks after knee injury, and introducing Ricky Anane to bolster their creative play, although he too had been resting a knock.

Smith hit the woodwork with ten minutes remaining and McRae saw his shot from the rebound blocked by Matt Naylor in the Bulli defence.

Bulli also came close late on. Sam Davies saw his powerful right foot shot hit Daenell in the body, with the keeper unable to hold on to the ball. But when the ball was pumped back into the area, Daenell was there to save from Littler’s header.

Dylan Lewis, on for the injured McDonald, looked lively on the ball and created Bulli’s best chances in the second half. He was unlucky to set up first Davies, who ballooned a shot over the bar, and then Hayden Mowbray who couldn’t control his shot when the ball bounced badly for him.

Bulli coach Ben Smith was up-beat after the game: “We’ve been a bit up and down of late, so that was one of our better performances recently. We had a few players sitting on cards today, but they all played well and came through safely so we’re all set for Thursday, with the only question mark being over Ben (McDonald).’

‘Wollongong United will be a tough opponent. They’ve got a good squad and they’ve already won silverware this year. But we’ve been in this situation the last few seasons so we know what it’s all about, and if we play our best, we’ll give ourselves a good chance on Thursday.”

White Eagles coach Steve Micevski said: “We showed what we’re capable of for the first 25 minutes, but then we went to sleep and they punished us. We need to be up at that tempo for the 90 minutes in the semi-finals. When we do turn it on, we know we’re good enough to match any team at this level, but we have to find consistency. Still, we ‘re looking forward to the Finals starting on Thursday.”

There was drama at some of the other games this week with Port Kembla grabbing the last finals spot following their 1-1 draw with Tarrawanna. Dean Morosin put the Blueys in front on 14 minutes however Nuno Pires restored parity on 66 minutes setting up a frantic last 15 minutes for Port Kembla who were under the pump and sweating on other results. Needing to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, Wollongong Olympic twice came from behind to draw 2-2. They hit the post in the dying minutes which as it stood would have put them through.

In other games, Bellambi managed to secure their second win of the year following their 2-1 win over South Coast United with Brenton Lloyd and Jacob Fryday scoring for the Rosellas and Kolan Hemda pulling a goal back for South Coast. Woonona also finished the year well with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Shell Cove with Ryan Hunter and Luke Mittwollen getting on the scoresheet together with a Shell Cove own goal. Wollongong United and Cringila played out a scoreless draw. 

- Simon Duffin -

Picture Fotosportz (Archived photo)