Bulli FC secured a well-earned 2–0 win over Port Kembla FC on Saturday afternoon in a physical contest that saw chances at both ends and a tightly fought midfield battle. The home side looked the more composed throughout the match and got a well-deserved 3 points.
The first big chance came in the 12th minute. Aaron Baker played the ball in behind with a delightful outside of the foot pass to set Denim Nou one on one with Port keeper Adam Rodriguez. But with the angle being narrow, Nou’s shot was not enough as Rodriguez reacted well to keep the score level.
Port responded in the 20th minute through a corner that Bulli struggled to clear. After a scramble in the box, Lucas Ayala got a chance to shoot and fired a low effort that was well stopped by Daniel Collison in the Bulli goal.
The rest of the half played out as a tight physical battle. Bulli controlled more of the ball and moved it patiently, while Port looked to attack quickly with direct balls in behind. However neither side could find a breakthrough before the whistle.
But things came to life after the break. Just four minutes into the second half, Port launched a quick counter-attack. Ayala squared the ball to Dane Corolla in a great position, but his strike was off target.
Bulli responded in the 60th minute with winning the ball high up the pitch, and Lewis Grimshaw set Ben McDonald up with a golden opportunity. But McDonald’s shot flew over the bar.
The home side didn’t have to wait much longer though. Just two minutes later, Bulli found the opener. A well-whipped corner was flicked on at the near post and took an unfortunate deflection off Port’s Jason Perez, who could do little as the ball ended up in his own net.
Port pushed for an equaliser and came close in the 74th minute. Michael Mendes broke through on goal, but Collison produced a brilliant save to keep Bulli in the lead.
With just under 10 minutes to play, Bulli doubled the deficit. Mason Elphick sent an early cross into the box, and McDonald met the ball with a perfectly timed header past Rodriguez for 2–0.
Port had little in response after that, and Bulli managed the closing stages with control and confidence. A third goal for the home side looked more likely than a comeback from the visitors as the match lead to its end.
It was a solid performance from Bulli, who earned their clean sheet and all three points with a perticularly strong second-half display.
Next up, Port Kembla FC head to Cringila Lions FC for a midweek fixture, while Bulli FC enjoy a break before travelling to Oak Flats Falcons the following week.
Report by Simon Dahlen
Photos courtesy Dana Walker
