On Wednesday night, Illawarra Premier League front-runners, Bulli hosted NPL Champions, Blacktown City for a place in the FFA Cup round of 32. The match was dubbed the biggest in Bulli’s history and a hearty crowd battled the bitter chill in the hope of witnessing history.

The ‘I attempted to stifle the City attack which boasted the likes of former Sydney FC forward Mitch Mallia. Bulli restricted Blacktown to just one shot from distance in the opening 15 minutes but their good work came unstuck in the 17th when City pulled ahead. The goal coming through top scorer, James Andrew who turned Bulli defender Corey Horner on the edge of the box before tucking it into the left corner of Yuya Kuwata’s goal.

Bulli did not let the goal dishearten them as they tried to force the well drilled City into turnovers. In the 29th minute, this pressure came agonisingly close to a goal. Marcus Beattie played a ball into open space on the corner of Blacktown’s box. City goalkeeper,  Tristan Prendergast rushed to clear the ball but Ben McDonald poked it past him and cut back for his strike partner Dylan Lewis who fired his attempt over the empty net. A painful miss for the home side with Lewis capable of better despite the desperate pressure from the retreating defender.

The score remained 1-0 when the teams left the field at halftime. While the possession and the territorial battle was convincingly in Blacktown’s favour, the IPL side managed a few decent passages of play in the 15 minutes leading into the break.

Blacktown doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. A promising Bulli attack was broken down which led to a rapid counter attack down City’s right flank. The ball was crossed into the Bulli box, eventually finding Mallia who blasted it past Kuwata. A gut-wrenching goal for the Bulli faithful.

In the 50th minute, Guy Knight had Bulli’s first shot on target. The ball came to Knight on the edge of the area with the wideman striking a low drive through the crowded box, forcing a parrying save from Prendergast.

Though they were two goals down, Bulli started to make regular forays into the final third but the well drilled Blacktown defence was able to keep Bulli out of their box. Bulli still needed Kuwata to stay alert with the Japanese shot-stopper making a brilliant save low to his right in the 66th minute.

In the 70th minute, Blacktown scored their third when youngster Harry Callahan was dispossessed just outside the Bulli box. The ball was played to Mallia who thumped it through Kuwata’s legs. The third goal sealing Blacktown’s passage into the final 32 and ending Bulli’s record FFA Cup run.

After the match, Bulli coach, Matt Bailey admired his side’s efforts despite falling short, “We’re really proud of the boys, the performance wasn’t our best by our own standards but we came up against quality opposition and tonight they were too good.”

“The first fifteen minutes were a real eye opener for us, we took time to adjust to the speed of the game but once we did, I think we really grew into the game.”

Bailey believes Bulli’s Cup exploits will continue to benefit his side, “The run we have had in the FFA Cup has been a massive confidence builder. We learnt a lot from a well organised Blacktown side and we will take those learnings and move them into the league.”

Bulli now has to turn their attention to the IPL where they remain undefeated. They face a massive test this Saturday when they face Wollongong Olympic who sit just three points behind them in second. This match is Football South Coast’s match of the week and action gets underway at 2.30 pm at the PCYC.

A special mention to the spectators who donated money to the Cancer Council with Bulli raising $750 on the night.

 

Bulli - 0

Blacktown City - 3 (Andrew 17’, Mallia 48’, 70’)

 

Wednesday the 31st of May 2017 at Balls Paddock, Woonona

 

Bulli - Yuya Kuwata, Scott Best, Kenji Takahashi, Guy Knight, Sam Davies, Ryan Emerton, Lewis Clements, Corey Horner, Marcus Beattie, Dylan Lewis and Ben McDonald - Subs - Jayden Lewis, Andy Gamble (on for Emerton), Kyle Jackson (on for Lewis), Harry Callahan (on for Clements) and Khalid Alali - Coach - Matt Bailey

 

Blacktown City - James Andrew, Daniel Araujo, Zac Cairncross, Kenny Chun, Shayne D’Cunha, Connor Evans, Matt Lewis, Mitch Mallia, Tristan Prendergast, Giorgio Speranza and Robert Speranza - Subs - Yuta Konagaya, Joey Gibbs, Grant Lynch, Matt Symes and Mason Ireland - Coach - Mark Crittenden

 

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

Photo credit - Pedro Garcia