Bulli edged past Cringila Lions 2-1 to take out the Illawarra Premier League Second Grade Grand Final on Sunday morning at WIN Stadium.
Bulli went into the sheds with a two-goal lead courtesy of Jake Almond and Flynn Martin. Dean Dimoski’s goal early in the second half set up a thrilling finish with Bulli holding to make it a double in Second Grade for 2025.
The match got off to a competitive start with the teams looking to assert some control early on.
The Lions tried to make the most of some dangerous set pieces within the first half an hour as Brock Reeves rose highest twice but headed over on both occasions.
In the 35th minute, Noah Hewitt lined up for Cringila in the aftermath of a free-kick with his effort flying over as well.
Bulli had been eager to exploit space in wide areas with Mason Elphick whipping deliveries into some good areas.
The League Champions grabbed the opening goal 37 minutes in when Almond got his head to a right-wing cross and guided the ball powerfully home.
Bulli carried on this momentum and moments later the lively Elphick pinched the ball down the right and rolled a shot wide of the near post.
On the stroke of halftime, the side had the opportunity to double their lead heading into the sheds. Well-positioned referee Greg Reid showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot after Noah Vidler was wiped out in the box.
Martin took responsibility and stroked the ball into the bottom right corner out of Cringila goalkeeper Nikola Ristevski’s reach to put Bulli in a strong position.
The Lions made an instant impression within 10 minutes of the second half. Roman Kalmanidis’ right-sided corner found Dimoski who sent a bouncing header into the roof of the goal.
Cringila almost equalised moments after they halved the deficit as Jordan Prentoski forced Bulli goalkeeper Fletcher Bowler into a low sharp save at his left post.
Cringila’s barrage continued on the hour mark with Prentoski watching his header bounce agonisingly past the right post from a free-kick.
After weathering this second-half storm, Bulli took the ball down the other end in the 80th minute. Substitute Jackson Giustiani latched onto a ball and raced in on goal but an incredible sliding challenge from Kalamanidis prevented the attacker from getting his shot away.
Deep into stoppage time, the Lions had one last opportunity to restore parity. The ball was bobbling around in the Bulli box and fell to Yoan Ciugureanu whose bouncing effort was desperately tipped around the post by Bowler.
Seconds later, referee Reid blew the full-time whistle as Bulli secured a Second Grade double.
Report by Tim Gibson
Photos courtesy of Gragrapix
