Matt Naylor is mobbed by a teammate after scoring for Bulli against Dapto Dandaloo in their 3-2 extra time victory yesterday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
ILLAWARRA PL
Bulli conceded two penalties, but Matthew Naylor then scored an extra-time penalty to beat Dapto Dandaloo 3-2 in a riveting Illawarra Premier League major semi-final at Balls Paddock yesterday.
The Fury's Alvin Ceccoli was involved in all three penalties; slotting home the opening goal after just three minutes and then a second to equalise 2-2 in the final five minutes before conceding a penalty which left Naylor the Bulli match-winner.
Bulli advance to the grand final on September 29 at Crehan Park, while Dapto Dandaloo take on Port Kembla in the preliminary final on Sunday at Wetherall Park.
In-form Port Kembla ended Tarrawanna's season with a dramatic 3-2 win at JJ Kelly Park yesterday, with three goals in extra-time, after the match was locked 1-1 at fulltime.
Darren Stone put Tarrawanna ahead on 62 minutes before Daniel Aliffi equalised for Port 10 minutes later.
Port scored two goals in the first period of extra time through Adrian Nikolovski and Jarryd Vinton before Tarrawanna scored in the final few minutes of extra time.
Having beaten Wollongong United in the first week of the finals, Port Kembla have won two sudden-death games and are just one win from a grand final against Bulli.
"We've got great self belief and it showed again today," Port coach Stuart Beedie said.
"We went a goal down but it didn't faze us and at the end of the day the scoreline probably flattered Tarra a bit. We've got a big game coming up but the boys have been tremendous."
At Balls Paddock, league champions Dapto Dandaloo made the perfect start when Ceccoli stepped up to convert a spot-kick inside three minutes.
But Bulli have been the comeback kings this season and Naylor had them level with a powerful run from midfield and great finish from the edge of the penalty box for 1-1. Bulli then went ahead on 35 minutes when Steve Hanson outjumped the Fury keeper to head home a corner.
A high standard match with many chances was given the grandstand finish when the Fury were handed a second penalty in the dying minutes.
Bulli goalkeeper Bryce Daenell was ruled to have fouled a Fury player while trying to grab the ball in a penalty box scramble.
Daenell was booked, as an ice-cool Ceccoli stepped up and made it 2-2.
Ten minutes into extra time Bulli were gifted a penalty after Ceccoli was booked for grabbing Ben McDonald in the box.
Naylor showed no nerves to score, giving Bulli a victory which takes them into the grand final.
Fury coach Norm Boardman said both clubs should have had a man sent off.
"The first should have been a yellow for their keeper and the second should have been a second yellow, red," he said.
"Alvin [Ceccoli] was the last man and he should have gone too. The referees make decisions and we get on with the game.
"We were poor in front of goal. Second half we had plenty of inter-change passes but nothing to show for it. Some of it was down to some good defending from Bulli but we need to play better in the final third."