Bulli have claimed back-to-back league titles after surviving a scare from Corrimal Rangers to claim a 2-1 win on the final matchday of the 2018 Illawarra Mercury Premier League season at Balls Paddock. The hosts took the lead in the 18^th minute thanks to a Mitchell Del Turco chip before Corrimal drew level in the 58^th minute through substitute Van Elia. But it was a substitute for Bulli in the form of Marcus Beattie who fired his side to victory and the league title, a 75^th minute strike enough to secure the title for Bulli.

It was Bulli who claimed all three points when last these sides met back in round 12 – with a Ben McDonald brace helping Bulli to a 3-1 win at Memorial Park – but it was Corrimal who had the brighter start of the two sides, with Takeru Okada firing off a powerful warning shot at Bulli’s Yuya Kuwada in the 4^th minute, with Kuwada spilling the ball but collecting it before a member of the Rangers offence could rush in and fire home a goal.

Despite having less of the ball in the opening exchanges, Bulli made their opening chance count in the 18th minute and the hosts found themselves on the board thanks to a quick breakaway. Harry Callahan burst down the right-hand side of the field and played a smart through ball to Mitchell Del Turco, who managed to chip Corrimal shot-stopper Daniel Arcaba, who was rushing out to attempt to stop the play. Del Turco’s effort needed no help finding the back of the net, a quick goal out of nothing which sent Bulli into the lead.

After Bulli’s opening goal, neither side was able to create many chances in the remainder of the opening half, as both the defences of Bulli and Corrimal put on a masterclass of shutting down attacking play. But the second-half saw play open up almost immediately, with Bulli having a golden chance to double their advantage almost instantly after kickoff through Ben McDonald, who received the ball from a cross from Kyle Jackson on the left-hand side of the pitch. But Bulli’s top scorer was unable to add to his tally, his headed effort going over the bar.

Both Bulli and Corrimal were forced to make a substitution five minutes later after both Bulli’s Harry Callahan and Corrimal’s William Tsovolos were forced off with injuries sustained in a head clash, with the players replaced by Marcus Beattie and Van Elia respectively. But it was Corrimal’s substitute who made an almost immediate impact, with Elia levelling the scores in the 58^th minute after receiving a smart ball from Takeru Okada just outside of the Bulli box. Elia fired off a powerful effort that flew into the top right corner, beating Yuya Kuwada and pulling the Rangers back into the match.

With Bulli needing a goal to push themselves back into top spot in the league, the hosts came dangerously close to retaking the lead in the 70^th minute when Kyle Jackson took advantage of an out-of-position David Zufic – who replaced Daniel Arcaba in goals - to head an effort towards the Corrimal goal off a poor clearance from Karouna Michael. But Jackson’s effort was cleared off the line by Corrimal defender Jason Zufic, who headed the ball out of danger and kept the visitors in the match.

But Bulli broke through and retook the lead five minutes later through substitute Marcus Beattie. Beattie was released onto goal by a pass from Mitchell Del Turco down the right-hand flank, with the Bulli substitute cutting in towards goal and firing an effort past Zufic to push Bulli back in front with just 15 minutes left to play.

With Corrimal now a goal down, the side were determined to spoil the Bulli party and in the 81^st minute the side had a great chance to go level after Jason Zufic found Takeru Okada in the middle of a crowd of Bulli defenders. Okada showed some great class to find enough space to fire off an effort, only for his shot to be deflected out of play by Bulli’s Kenji Takahashi.

Corrimal had another chance to level the scores two minutes later through Van Elia, who fired off a rocket of a shot towards Bulli custodian Yuya Kuwada, but this time it was Kuwada who came on top in the battle between the two, stopping the effort and keeping Bulli in front. Despite a spirted fight in the final moments from Corrimal to pull themselves back into the match, Bulli held firm and secured the title with a slim 2-1 win, the side claiming back-to-back league titles for the second time in their history, after they successfully defended their 1985 title back in 1986.

As a result, the win sees Bulli finish two points ahead of Wollongong Olympic, who ran out 5-1 winners over Tarrawanna at PCYC to give Bulli fans a reason to panic before Beattie’s 75^th minute strike. The side now has a week off before facing the winner of the Qualifying Final between Wollongong Olympic and third-placed Albion Park White Eagles in the Major Semi-Final, with the chance to secure the first berth in the Grand Final.

For Corrimal, the result sees them finish the season in eighth place, being overtaken by Fernhill on the final day of the season thanks to the Foxes win over Picton Rangers on the final day. For the Rangers, they now look to the 2019 season off the back of a solid campaign, complete with an appearance in a Bert Bampton Cup final and an improvement in their league standing over their 2017 campaign.

Sunday 26 August 2018 at Balls Paddock.

Bulli FC – 2 (Del Turco 18’, Beattie 75’)

Corrimal Rangers FC – 1 (Elia 58’)

Bulli FC: Yuya KUWADA, David ABEL, Scott BEST, Kyle JACKSON, Kenji TAKAHASHI, Tobin ZOOMERS, Harry CALLAHAN, Mitchell DEL TURCO, Ben MCDONALD, Dylan LEWIS

Subs: Marcus BEATTIE (CALLAHAN 50’), Nikolas MICESKI (LEWIS 80’), Ryan EMERTON (DEL TURCO 89’), Blake HEWSON, Braeden KLUDASS

Corrimal Rangers FC: Daniel ARCABA, Jason ZUFIC, Dean PENDER, Calum FLEMING, Karouna MICHEAL, Sam MATTHEWS, Takeru OKADA, Kyle KIRKLAND, Timothy WYLIE, William TSOVOLOS, Masahiko MORITA

Subs: Van ELIA (TSOVOLOS 50’), Angelo HAJITTOFI, Joshua GERSBACH (KIRKLAND 70’), Matthew GALANTI, David ZUFIC (ARCABA 45’)

Referee – Peter ILCEVSKI

Assistant Referees – Reece EDWARDS and Bryce DREGHORN

Report by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt

Photo by Noel Wynn