By Marc Sudholz

The Bulleen lions have been crowned champions of the PS4 NPL 1 West, and in doing so, achieved promotion to the NPL Victoria following a 2-0 win over rivals Ballarat Red Devils on Saturday afternoon.

It was a game of few chances despite perfect conditions, but goals from Gianni De Nittis and Dean Lorenzi in either half gave Bulleen the win they so craved.

The contest began cagily, with both teams having as much to lose as they did to gain.

The opening 25 minutes defined a midfield battle, neither side so much as registering a shot on target, with chances only coming through free kicks which were easily cleared by the respective defences.

The first shot was worth waiting for, as it provided the opening goal.

Following a long ball played into the edge of the box, the Ballarat defence failed to control it properly, with Gianni De Nittis hitting a sweet volley on the run from 25 yards, into the top left corner. Aaron Romein in goal for Ballarat had no chance at all.

Despite the goal, the game continued to be a tight, tough and cagey affair.

With five minutes remaining in the half, De Nittis had another chance, after being played in by Sami Nour, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Hussaini then headed over a free kick from De Nittis on the stroke of half time.
1-0    was the half time score, and the tentative nature of the game continued in the second half.

Sami Nour had two good chances in three minutes, ten minutes into the half.

First, he scuffed a shot after good work by Hussaini, before striking the post with a left-footed shot, which had Romein beaten.

The game was stopped for a few minutes in the 66th minute, following a hard challenge between two players. Matt Dimech of Bulleen had to be substituted, with what looked to be a broken leg.

Following this, Ballarat had their best chance of the game, in the 70th minute.

Dominic Swinton cut the ball back for Patrick Karras in the box, but the substitute fired over the bar.

Sub Dean Lorenzi nearly had an instant impact for Bulleen, flicking a header onto Nour in the 78th minute, but the dangerman shot wide of the near post.

Ballarat, needing a point at least, then started to throw numbers forward. They earned a string of corners late on, but couldn’t convert from any, and were made to pay.

Having stayed up after a corner, keeper’ romein was beaten for pace on the counter attack by Nour, who ran into the box, drawing a defender before cutting back to Lorenzi, who tapped home to ensure Bulleen would be playing in the higher division next year.

The final whistle saw elation, as fans invaded the pitch to celebrate the achievement.

It was a deserved result in a game of few chances.

Ballarat will look forward to next week now against Moreland Zebras- the winner of that game is likely to finish second.

MATCH DETAILS

Bulleen Lions 2 (De Nittis 27’, Lorenzi 90+2’) Defeated Ballarat Red Devils 0 at David Barro Stadium, Bulleen.

Bulleen Lions: 21: Stefan SARDELIC (GK), 3: Will ABBOTT, 6: Bardhi HYSOLI, 8: Matteo BALLAN (C), 9: Saeed Reza HUSSAINI (13: Dean LORENZI 77’), 10: Takanori NISHIMOTO, 11: Gianni DE NITTIS (33: Davide CARDAMONE 84’) 12: Eli LUTTMER, 14: Sami NOUR, 16: Matt DIMECH (5: Lewis WADDELL 65’), 18: Felix ROSMAN.
Unused Subs: 31: Dylan BRESOLIN, 41: Luke GALLO
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None.

Ballarat Red Devils: 1: Aaron ROMEIN (GK), 3: David KING, 8: Joshua ROMEIN, 2: Daniel FIRTH (11: Jake FRANCIS 75’), 21: Charles KING, 6: Liam HARDING, 17: Shaun ROMEIN, 23: Daniel TINKER (22: Patrick KARRAS 35’), 10: Michael TRIGGER, 43: Dechlan PICKEN, 15: Domenic SWINTON,
Unused Subs: 19: Miles BAKER, 33: Joshua DE VOOGEL, 40: Ryan SCHORBACK
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None.