Bachana Arabuli’s first goal for Macarthur FC helped the Bulls edge past Perth Glory 1-0 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday evening.
After a timid start to the match, the Glory had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 15th minute. Ryan Williams receiving the ball inside the box following a right-sided cutback but skying it over the crossbar.
The visitors continued to probe throughout the half with several set pieces floated into good areas, however, to no avail.
The side created a late flourish of chances in the final five minutes. Keegan Jelacic scuffed an effort wide from inside the box in the 40th minute before four minutes later when David Williams had his shot from the edge of the box tipped over the bar.
Despite Perth offering a sporadic threat in the first period, the teams were unable to be separated at the break.
The Bulls came out for the second half with a spirited attitude – moving the ball with purpose into their attacking half.
The early pressure almost paid off for the side six minutes into the second half. Ulises Davila capitalised on a turnover skipping into the box, but he looked to have been caught in two minds as the ball dragged wide of the right post.
The hosts were almost left to rue missed chances just after the hour mark as David Williams attempted a spectacular overhead kick from close range that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
In the 71st minute, Macarthur found the opening goal. Al Hassan Toure’s cross from the right finding the head of Arabuli, who nodded beyond Perth goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
The home side looked to press their advantage home, with substitute Jed Drew making inroads down the left on several occasions.
It wouldn’t matter in the end, with the Bulls nicking the points following a 1-0 victory over Perth following a stronger second-half performance.
The three points push Dwight Yorke’s team into fourth position and within a win of the second-placed Western Sydney Wanderers. While the Glory sit at the bottom of the table with a game in hand on 11th.
Macarthur FC 1 (Bachana Arabuli)
Perth Glory 0
Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Referee: Tim Danaskos
Assistant Referees: Own Goldrick and Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Ben Abraham
Macarthur FC: Filip KURTO (GK), Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, Tomislav USKOK, Ivan VUJICA, Daniel DE SILVA, Kearyn BACCUS (Jerry SKOTADIS 72’), Ulises DAVILA (C) (Charles M’MOMBWA 87’), Matthew MILLAR, Daniel ARZANI (Jed DREW 72’), Bachana ARABULI (Anthony CARTER 80’), Al Hassan TOURE
Unused subs: Nicholas SUMAN (GK), Jake MCGING, Jake HOLLMAN
Perth Glory: Liam REDDY (GK), Mark BEEVERS, Aaron MCENEFF (Matthew HATCH 82’), Ryan WILLIAMS, Mustafa AMINI (C) (Zachary DUNCAN 72’), Salim KHELIFI (Ben AZUBEL 76’), Jack CLISBY, Keegan JELACIC, David WILLIAMS (Trent OSTLER 72’), Darryl LACHMAN, Jacob MUIR (John KOUTROUMBIS 84’)
Unused subs: Joseph FORDE, Cameron COOK (GK)
Feature image credit: Macarthur FC
