Wollongong United sealed back-to-back titles with an exciting 3-2 win over Bulli in the Illawarra Premier League Youth Grade Grand Final on Sunday.

Nik Ristevski popped up with a true captain’s goal midway through the second half to give Wollongong the win after two wonder strikes from Bulli had the sides level at the break.

The victory capped off a topsy turvy year for United with head coach Stan Pappas taking over the reins midway through the season.

The coach had his players respond well enough to take them all the way to a Grand Final win.

“We were the slight underdogs but I knew we had the capability; we’ve always had the passion and the drive to do that,” said Pappas.

“They came out firing and started very well, but we came back to them in the game.

“At 2-1 we were feeling confident and then they scored a great goal just before half time but we composed ourselves at the break and I think we finished it off really well.

“Our defensive line was great today, structurally at the back we worked really well together with a lot of good communication.

“This is what you play for year in, year out.”

The game started as it meant to go on in a truly end to end fashion with both teams squandering some early chances before a frantic 22^nd minute saw the game’s opening goal.

After a chance for Wollongong was saved by Ben McGinnes, Bulli worked the ball up field to the edge of the United box where Stephen Hansen was on hand to hit a first time rocket into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Wollongong responded well with a period of sustained pressure that lead to Johnny Martinoski burying the ball into the net after a poor Bulli clearance to draw the sides level.

United kept the pressure on the Bulli goal after the equaliser and it paid dividends when they forced an own goal to hit the lead.

Dan Chapman hit the ball towards goal during a scramble from a corner and McGinnes was able to repel the initial shot but the save bounced off the legs of the unfortunate Kyle Jackson and crept over the line to give Wollongong the lead.

Wollongong looked to be taking a slim lead into half time before Joel Beattie equalised with the goal of the season in the last kick of the half.

The midfielder had the ball laid off to him by his brother Marcus, 30 yards from goal where he struck a swerving, first time shot that cannoned off the inside of the post and in.

With the two teams level the hunt for a go ahead goal was well and truly on in the second half as they continued to pepper each goal mouth with chances.

It was Wollongong’s captain, Nik Ristevski, that would ultimately decide the game with a goal in the 64^th minute.

Martinoski sent in a pinpoint ball from a freekick on the sideline that Ristevski rose to nod home and give United the lead.

Wollongong held on to claim their second straight Grand Final win.

“We’re a bit disappointed but it was always going to be a hard task,” said Bulli coach John Cropper.

“It was great experience for our boys to come up against some of the more experience first graders

“We had a wonderful year winning three of the four major trophies, we only lost two games all year and one was this Grand Final and you can’t go much better than that.”

Bulli fell just a game short of a sensational four trophy season but it wasn’t to be with Wollongong taking the honours.

 

3-2	Wollongong United	Bulli FC
Goals:	J. Martinoski (32’); (OG) K. Jackson (39’); N. Ristevski (63’).	H. Stephen (22’); J. Beattie (45+2’).
Bookings:	M. White (y); D. Chapman (y).

 

Julian Keith

FSC Reporter