Manly come from behind to overpower Bulls
An inspired second-half performance saw Manly United recover a two-goal deficit to register a priceless 3-2 victory over Bulls FC Academy at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
Ali Auglah did the damage for the Bulls early, scoring an impressive brace inside 20 minutes, but the academy outfit would be reeled back in by their experienced opponents.
Jesse Piriz pulled one back on the hour mark to spark the home side into life, as a Matt Sim penalty and Kristian Santich stunner turned the contest on its head and secure a vital three points for Patrick Zwaanswijk’s side.
Looking to bounce back from a tough run of five defeats in six, the home side started Saturday’s contest brightly.
Bruno Mendes was the first to fire an effort on target, denied by a strong Alexander Robinson save down low to his left.
Then after soaking up some early pressure, the Bulls went down the other end and took the lead in the 10th minute.
It was a moment of brilliance from Ali Auglah, who tricked his way inside and curled a screamer into the top left corner.
Nine minutes later, Auglah found a brace.
The former Western Sydney Wanderers academy product benefited from a defensive slip-up from Alen Aganovic, rolling home a cool finish past Jack Greenwood.
Manly sought to find an answer and went close in the 28th minute, as Santich found himself on the end of some nice link-up play between Seiya Kambayashi and Mendes, only to flash his effort across the face of goal.
Bulls almost extended their advantage on the half-hour mark, as Jesper Webber darted down the right wing and cut the ball back for Auglah, but he couldn’t keep it down.
In the 37th minute Webber caused issues again, drawing a top save out of Jack Greenwood to ensure the buffer would remain at 2-0 heading into the break.
Webber looked to pick up where he left off, going close with two chances inside the first five minutes of the second half.
But in the 64th minute, Manly halved the deficit.
The set piece proved to be their way through, as a corner fell into the path of Jesse Piriz, who poked home his first goal of the season.
Substitute Stefan Visscher almost came up with the equaliser three minutes later, as Robinson stood tall for the Bulls with an important double save.
In the 71st minute, the hosts found their second via the spot.
It was Matt Sim who coolly converted his penalty after Jesse Piriz was adjudged to have been brought down in the area.
Just two minutes later, Manly went within inches of completing their comeback as Kambayashi was played in behind, but the Japanese maestro’s effort cannoned to safety off the base of the post.
Sim almost came up with the winner with 10 minutes of the 90 remaining, testing Robinson with a well-struck effort from distance.
While the young shotstopper was up to the task on that occasion, he would be rendered powerless by a long-range stunner three minutes later.
It was Santich who stood up for Manly when they needed him most, letting fly a rocket into the top-right corner.
The Bulls pushed hard for a way back into the game during seven minutes of stoppage time, but Santich’s spectacular effort would ultimately prove the difference.
Post-match, Patrick Zwaanswijk was pleased with his side’s showing after a challenging week for the squad following the serious injury suffered by Max Martinello a week ago.
“I think it was well-deserved,” he said. “We were always on the front foot, trying to play and trying to create goalscoring opportunities.”
“We’ve had unbelievably bad luck with so many injuries, we had a psychologist in on Monday because of the trauma – and with another two injuries on Thursday it was never ending.
“After we gave them two goals because of two slip-ups, we had a good, honest word at half time and felt that if we were able to get a first goal that something could happen.
“That belief was with us and turned to the fans, the stadium, and we found those goals.
“At 2-2 you saw we wanted to go for the win, and it was unbelievable strike from Kristian (Santich).
“It’s a really good feeling for all the hard work and camaraderie that we still have, and we’ll just deal with the situation day by day moving forward.”
Match Stats
Manly United FC: 3 (Piriz 64’, Sim 71’, Santich 82’)
Bulls FC Academy: 2 (Auglah 10’, 19’)
Cromer Park, Cromer
Saturday 13th May 2023
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistants: Matthew Harris and Patrick Teleki
Fourth Official: Amber Morris
Manly United: 1. Jack Greenwood (GK), 3. Jesse Piriz, 4. Jimmy Oates (C), 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 8. Dom Ferguson (32. Saxon Hillyer 81’), 10. Bruno Mendes (41. Stefan Visscher 64’), 11. Matthew Sim (18. Lucas Rainbird 85’), 12. Kristian Santich, 19. Alen Aganovic, 22. Bilal Belkadi, 29. Hunter Elliot
Subs not used: 20. Levi Kaye, 15. Nick Rainbird, 18. Lucas Rainbird, 31. Marcus Lal
Yellow Cards: Aganovic 29’, Ferguson 43’, Mendes 44’, Oates 45’, Visscher 77’, Hillyer 84’, Piriz 89’
Red Cards: Nil
Bulls FC Academy: 30. Alexander Robinson (GK), 3. Theph Theph, 7. Ali Auglah, 8. Mason Wells (13. Jordan Ivancic 77’), 19. Jesper Webber, 20. Adrian Knez (18. Sebastian Hernandez (14. Sunday Yona 77’)), 21. Lachlan Macdonald, 22. Edward Caspers (C), 32. Isaac Hovar, 52. Rhys Youlley (11. Stephan De Robillard , 53. Joel Bertolissio
Substitutes Not Used: 2. Anthony Krilic, 40. Griffin Barry (GK), 12. Charlie Ragg, 15. Mabior Garang
Yellow Cards: Auglah 45’, Bertolissio
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Kristian Santich (MU)
2 – Matt Sim (MU)
1 – Ali Auglah (BA)
By Football NSW Reporter and Commentator Chris Curulli (@ChrisCurulli on Twitter)