Ladder leaders Bulli added another notch to their belt and handed Albion Park White Eagles their first defeat of the campaign in a determined 2-1 victory at Balls Paddock on Saturday afternoon.
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The 2017 league championship winners held a one goal cushion at the break before withstanding Park’s second half pressure to keep their spot at the top of the competition.
Former Park striker Mitchell Del Turco and young gun Harry Callahan both hit the back of the net while Japanese star Hikaru Kawasakiya scored for the visitors.
Bulli coach Matt Bailey was rapt to leave with maximum points against a fellow title contender.
"It was a tough match," he said.
"They are obviously a good side and you can see why they have accumulated the points they have so far this season.
"We controlled the first 30 minutes in terms of possession and attack and got a deserved goal, although we could have been more ahead had we been more clinical.
"I thought we deserved the lead at half time, and then in the second half they threw a lot at us.
“We did well to keep them out and win the game."
Del Turco’s opener came after 21 minutes when the striker latched on to a Tobin Zoomers through ball and finished past Park keeper Chris Fuentes.
Kawasakiya’s equaliser came just seven minutes later after he converted expertly past Yuya Kuwata.
With half time approaching, Callahan restored the hosts one goal advantage following a well-worked move with Marcus Beattie. Park pressed hard for another equaliser in the second stanza, but couldn’t breach the resolute Bulli defence. Bailey gave huge credit to his side’s defence after the win.
"To concede three goals in 10 games to start the season is an amazing effort at any time," he said. "We have been really tough to break down and are doing everything right at the moment.
"We conceded a bit of a sloppy one on the weekend but otherwise have been doing a really good job."
The win sees Bulli remain two points clear of Wollongong Olympic at the top of the league. Olympic hammered Picton Rangers 9-0 on Saturday while Wollongong United edged out Port Kembla 1-0. South Coast United picked up their first points with a 2-2 draw with Cringila Lions.