Balls Paddock played host to a Bulli side once again failing to produce the fluid attacking play spectators have become accustomed to. Visitors Cringila constantly sat deep in their own half, playing the long ball for the pace of Stefan Dimoski and early substitute Mitchell Hall. The result was a game in which Bulli had constant possession and field position dominance, but were unable to pierce a compact Cringila defence.

Cringila goalkeeper Alex Boullosa had to be on hand numerous times throughout the game to turn aside well-placed Bulli shots, early on parrying an intricately-placed Mitch Del Turco shot just wide of the upright, and well handling a booming David Abel half volley from the resulting corner.

Shortly before the half-hour, Dylan Lewis was played in-behind the Cringila defence with a looped pass, and, having chipped Boullosa, only had to slot home from 6 yards, but the double-slide tackle effort of defender Anthony Romeo consecutively smothered the open goal.

Soon after, Guy Knight fought his way to the by-line to get his cross in, Boullosa again forced to punch clear ahead of a free header for winger Marcus Beattie at the far post.

Bulli continued to dominate the first half, closing out the action with Lewis chipping Boullosa, this time floating wide of the upright; and Ryan Emerton's long-range curling shot just tipped wide by a full-stretch Boullosa.

As the second period resumed play, the run of the game had not changed in the slightest. Bulli were in complete control of possession, but a resolute Cringila were clinging on to a draw courtesy of an outstanding game from keeper Boullosa.

Abel once more had a great chance to break the deadlock, his towering header off a Knight corner sailing just wide of the upright, however Cringila grabbed possession and sniffed an opportunity. Racing down the pitch on the break, Di Pietro slapped a low shot at the near post from 18 yards and finally drew a save out of Bulli keeper Yuya Kuwata after 66 minutes.

On 70 minutes, Bulli had penalty claims waived away after the flailing arm of Cringila's Romeo seemed to make contact with the ball from a Tobin Zoomers free kick.

Boullosa was back in the action to finish the game off though - punching clear a Knight cross in front of 3 Bulli players; saving an awkward Knight free kick which evaded all players in a crowded box; getting hands to a Del Turco shot from 12 yards with a little space to wind up.

As the game drew to a close, the best chances of the game began to be eked out. Substitute Ben McDonald held up the ball beautifully under immense pressure, laying off for the run of Knight, who lost a perfect shooting channel as he switched onto his more dominant foot.

Cringila almost threw away all they had worked so hard for with two calamities deep into stoppage time. First, Boullosa was seen juggling a backpass in order to keep the ball in play, Ben McDonald able to get close enough to make a tackle on the goalkeeper before he desperately scrambled a clearance.

Moments later, Stefan Dimoski was shown his second yellow card for the afternoon, needlessly kicking the ball away as the offside flag called back his open run on goal. His dismissal saw Cringila sit even further back in their half and pump out Bulli long crosses.

After recording 6 wins from their first 6 games, Bulli have now dropped points in each of their last two fixtures as a home draw to an uninspiring Cringila Lions side today compounded the loss to Wollongong United last week. Cringila meanwhile picked up their first point since a 3-0 win over Woonona three weeks ago.

As for next week's Round 9 fixtures, Bulli will travel to Wetherall Park for a 2:30pm kickoff on Saturday against Port Kembla. The draw against Cringila, coupled with Wollongong Olympic and Albion Park battling out a draw, sees Bulli remain seated atop the IPL table on 19 points.

Cringila will be hosting Wollongong United at Crehan Park for a Sunday 2:30pm kickoff, their draw against Bulli temporarily putting them into 8th place on the ladder, above Port Kembla on goal difference with the Zebra's yet to play Round 9 at the time of writing.

 

Saturday 12th May - Balls Paddock

Bulli FC 0

Cringila Lions 0

 

Bulli FC - Yuya KUWATA, Kyle JACKSON, David ABEL, Kenji TAKAHASHI, Marcus BEATTIE, Ryan EMERTON, Tobin ZOOMERS, Guy KNIGHT, Mitchell DEL TURCO, Dylan LEWIS, Sam DAVIES

Subs - Jayden LEWIS, Yato TAKAHASHI, Ben MCDONALD (on for EMERTON 55'), Scott BEST (on for DAVIES), Blake HEGSON

Cringila Lions - Alex BOULLOSA, James RALSTON, Steven HRISTOVSKI, Anthony ROMEO, Josiah SHERWEN, Mitchell DI PIETRO, Todd SPARKS, Mitch ARCOSA, Stefan DIMOSKI, Nuno PIRES

Subs - Kyle BOOTH, Aleksander PRENTOSKI, Takao TERAMOTO, Ibrahim SESAY, Mitchell HALL (on for PIRES 38')

 

Referee - Blake HERBERT

Assistants - Brodie MERCHANT, Tristan JAMES

Report by David Atherton, Twitter @daveatho5

File Photo: Pedro Garcia