Wollongong United recorded a 3-1 win over Bulli in an end-to-end encounter at Macedonia Park on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a goalless first half, plenty of chances fell for both teams as shots flew high and wide.
Just six minutes into the second half, Sam Matthews opened the scoring for United but less than five minutes later, Bulli pulled level through Ben McDonald.
Matthews grabbed his second in the 76th minute, before Thomas Darjani confirmed United’s victory in stoppage time.
The match kicked into gear right from the start, and in the fifth minute, United’s Kyah Jovanovski found space on the right and drove inside before sending an effort wide of the right post.
Five minutes later, Bailey Barbarovski took some initiative for the hosts, driving through the middle of the pitch and latching onto a pass in behind, but his shot went over.
Bulli also looked dangerous in the early stages and returned fire in the 16th minute through Aaron Baker who took on a long-range strike that Tom Alston parried away.
In the 29th minute, United worked it well down the left as the ball came into the box for Nav Darjani, whose shot dribbled to Bulli goalkeeper Ayman Hill.
The chances continued to flow for both teams, with a goal looking increasingly likely.
Bulli made a habit of getting numbers into the box, which made it difficult for United’s defenders, but the deadlock was still to be broken heading into halftime.
It was not long after halftime before United opened the scoring, just eight minutes in.
Matthews reacted fastest to a parried shot in the box and poked the ball home from close range.
However, Bulli continued to threaten the United backline and restored parity four minutes after the opening.
McDonald escaped into the left of the box and lashed a left-footed strike into the roof of the net and put Bulli straight back into the contest.
As the match wore on, it became more competitive with challenges flying in.
Bulli’s pace in transition presented opportunities for the side to take the lead, committing United players in the box as penalty shouts went unheard.
But the home side grabbed a goal 76 minutes in.
Matthews found himself in the right spot again, getting on the edge of a right-sided cross, keeping his composure and slotting the ball past Hill.
Despite going behind, the visitors continued their assaults on the United goal, yet they could not find the final touches to equalise.
United did well in holding firm and put the result beyond doubt in the second minute of added time.
Thomas Darjani raced in behind the Bulli backline and sent a simple finish past Hill to ensure the hosts took all three points.
The defeat was Bulli’s third in a row after back-to-back 3-0 wins at the start of the season.
The side will hope to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night, when they host Tarrawanna Blueys.
As for United, they have now won three matches in a row, travelling to Helensburgh on Friday in their next fixture.
Report by Tim Gibson
Photos courtesy of Richie Wagner
