Rangers defeat Bulls in last gasp winner
A gallant Mt Druitt Town Rangers left it late but defeated Bulls FC Academy 2-1 thanks to a 90th minute winner by 17-year-old young gun Abdelelah Faisal at Popondetta Park on Saturday night.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers got off to the perfect start with Rhett Desilva handing them the lead in the eighth minute before Anthony Frangie was given his marching orders. The hosts snatched the points late through substitute Faisal in the 90th minute.
For Bulls FC Academy, it was another point in the book but could’ve been much more. Mason Wells equalised for them with a superb strike to make it 1-1. They started the second half but had Sunday Yona sent off for two fouls seconds apart before conceding late.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers coming off their recent good form started well. Anthony Frangie had a pair of shots which were repelled by Bulls FC Academy keeper Alexander Robinson.
The hosts got their reward for their quick start in the 8th minute. A wonderful cross from Jackson Bandiera found the boot of Desilva who made it 1-0 to the Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
The hosts continued to push forward despite having the lead. Tarek Elrich nodded over from a free kick then Will Harvey forced Robinson into another big save.
Bulls FC Academy found their rhythm through Rhys Youlley. He stood over the free kick on the left and bent it wide of the mark in the 22nd minute.
That spurred Bulls FC Academy to equalise. It was a wonderful run from Jesper Webber who found Wells to drill home for 1-1 in the 26th minute.
Wells almost completed the turnaround for Bulls FC Academy. He cut inside and forced Mt Druitt keeper Dylan Niski into a diving save to keep the game level.
There was further drama in the game when Mt Druitt Town Rangers were reduced to ten-men. Frangie was initially shown a yellow before it was upgraded to a red card.
Despite being down to ten, Mt Druitt Town Rangers were on the front foot. Kotaru Katsuta drove towards goal and flashed wide alongside some half chances from set pieces.
Bulls FC Academy had the final say in the first half. Youlley again stood over a free kick and this time he fired it over the bar.
It was a cagey start to the second half. The first chance came in the 55th minute to Harvey who cut inside and rolled an easy shot at Robinson.
The visitors looked to make their man advantage count. They pushed forward with a few chances but were unable to get past Niski.
Both teams rung the changes as the clock headed into the final twenty minutes looking to find the winner in a vital game for positions on the ladder.
Bulls FC Academy were themselves reduced to ten in the 83rd minute. Substitute Sunday Yona was booked twice for a pair of identical fouls and was sent off.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers took advantage and took home all three points. Jackson Bandiera weaved past the defence and shot right at Robinson then substitute Faisal tapped home for 2-1 in the 90th minute.
Speaking post-match, a joyous Stewart Montgomery reflected on a superb performance from his side.
“I was super proud of them tonight. We started the game well and got a goal which could’ve been a few more for us. We regrouped after that and went to 4-4-1 and I think we dominated the game. It was also a magnificent moment for Abdelelah Faisal to get a goal.”
Montgomery also offered some words on their crucial Australia Cup tie on Tuesday night.
“We’ve played in the Round of 32 twice before and haven’t progressed so we have to get through Tuesday against a strong Northbridge side then we can look ahead.”
For Bulls FC Academy coach, Zeljko Kalac he was blunt in his assessment of the side after their late defeat.
“It wasn’t good enough. We are finding ways to get beat and it means we’re not good enough. We keep making bad decisions and not taking our chances. I always say if you keep getting beat it is because you weren’t good enough” said Kalac.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Desilva ‘8, Faisal‘90)
Bulls FC Academy 1 (Wells ‘26)
Saturday 3 June 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Nathan Shakespear
Assistant Referees: Anastasia Filacouridis & Joel Dunajcik
Fourth Official: Ayad Naji
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 3. Nikola Djordjevic, 4. Cooper Coskerie, 5. Jacob Esposito (43. Abdelelah Faisal ‘71, 10. Kotaro Katsuta, 11. Jackson Bandiera, 12. Will Harvey, 15. Anthony Gallo (6. Jared Macerola ‘66), 20. Dylan Niski, 21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Rhett Desilva 44. Anthony Frangie
Unused subs: 1. Robert Fanella, 2. Lomeo Nicoliello, 8. Junyong Jin, 41. Nicholas Morales
Yellow cards: Frangie ‘37, Elrich ‘37, Desilva ‘57, Harvey ‘60
Red cards: Frangie ‘38
Bulls FC Academy: 2. Anthony Krilic (23. Flynn Madden ‘71)2, 3. Theph Theph, 8. Mason Wells (11. Stephan De Robillard ‘71), 13. Jordan Ivancic (21. Lachlan Macdonald ‘59), 19. Jesper Webber, 22. Edward Caspers, 24. Dean Bosnjak (14. Sunday Yona ‘64), 30. Alexander Robinson, 32. Isaac Hovar, 52. Rhys Youlley (10. Ayman Gulasi ‘71), 53. Joel Bertolissio
Unused subs: 40. Griffin Barry
Yellow cards: Caspers ‘46, Krilic ‘57, Yona 82
Red cards: Yona ‘83
Player Ratings:
3: Rhett Desilva (MDTR)
2: Jackson Bandiera (MDTR)
1: Rhys Youlley (BFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
