Bulli proved too strong for a youthful Corrimal side, with a Dylan Lewis double setting up a 5-1 win.

In the opening stages, Bulli looked determined to put on a score with the front three of Lewis, Ben McDonald and Marcus Beattie linking up well. However, it was another combination that opened the scoring in 12th minute when Sam Davies crossed the ball in for Guy Knight to head home from close range.

Five minutes later, Bulli had an opportunity to double their lead when Karouna Michael handballed in the box. Lewis made no mistake from twelve yards, sending Jason Bleakley the wrong way and slotting the ball into the right of the net.

Bulli had a couple of chances to add their third around the half hour mark. First, Guy Knight struck a free kick from 30 metres out which seemed destined for the top right corner had it not been for a smart save from Bleakley. A couple of moments later, Ryan Emerton had an effort from the edge of the box, Bleakley spilt the ball but Beattie and Harry Callahan who were in close proximity were unable to pounce on the ball before it was cleared.

Ten minutes before the break Bulli got their third and once again it was Dylan Lewis. This time the forward was perhaps a little fortunate with his low cross-come-shot bobbling past the keeper and into the bottom left corner.

Corrimal had a few set pieces in the dying stages of the half where they showed some threat, however, they were unable to pull a goal back meaning they went into the sheds down 3-0.

In the 54th minute, Bulli converted their fourth after some lovely build up. Lewis played Callahan down the right channel, the young attacker worked the ball to the byline before playing in a wicked cross for McDonald to tuck home from the edge of the six-yard box. The goal was McDonald’s 15th of the season.

Three minutes later, Corrimal pulled a goal back through Mark Picciolini who outfoxed his markers to head home a free kick. This led to a short spell where the Rangers were on top and in the 63rd minute they should have scored a second. Star mid-season recruit, Nico Bernal rounded a couple of Bulli defenders until he was one on one with Yuya Kuwada but the shot didn’t match the run and the goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable stop.

Bulli regained control of the match with both sides seemingly going through the motions. With five minutes remaining, Daniel Carreno put the icing on the cake for the away side. Kenji Takahashi played an ambitious long ball over the top of the Corrimal back line for the substitute who was able to dink over Bleakley who had slipped as he rushed out. This rounded out the result with Bulli winning 5-1.

Despite the defeat, Corrimal is not in danger of finishing at the bottom and a win against Cringila in the final round could lift the Rangers as high as eighth.

Bulli now turns their attention to their blockbuster clash with Wollongong Olympic. Bulli lead Olympic by a single point at the top of the table which means avoiding defeat next Sunday will wrap up the League Championship.

 

Click this link to listen to the post match interviews - https://soundcloud.com/dylanarvela/post-match-interviews-after-bullis-big-win-over-corrimal

 

Corrimal Rangers - 1 (Picciolini 57’)

 

Bulli - 5 (Knight 12’, Lewis 18’ pen, 36, McDonald 54’, Carreno 85’)

 

Sunday the 20th of August, 2017 at Memorial Park, Corrimal

 

Corrimal Rangers - Jason Bleakley, James Walker, Tyren Maclou, Robert Brown, Casey Graham, Karouna Michael, Dominic Magill, Aden Wade, Mark Picciolini, Nico Bernal and Tim Wylie - Subs - Elisseo Chiodi (on for Wade), Kazuya Yamamoto and Branislav Radmanovic

 

Bulli - Yuya Kuwada, Kenji Takahashi, Scott Best, Kyle Jackson, Harry Callahan, Sam Davies, Guy Knight, Dylan Lewis, Marcus Beattie, Ryan Emerton and Ben McDonald - Subs - Tobin Zoomers (on for Emerton), Corey Horner (on for Best), Nik Miceski, Daniel Carreno (on for Beattie) and Jayden Lewis

 

Referee - Ryan O’Sullivan

 

Assistant referees - Liam Webb and Jacob Kentta

 

Report by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

 

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn