Dos Santos Delivers as Bulls FC Academy Storm to Top Spot

The reigning Premiers of the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Competition Bulls FC Academy went to the top of the table after a gutsy 1-0 win over Sydney Olympic at The Crest on Sunday night.

With the rain pelting down, an early penalty dispatched by Indi Dos Santos was enough for all three points for Marty Garces’ side.

Peta Trimis had the first chance of the game, isolating her defender, beating her before her shot went just wide of the target.

Maya Fernandez went close next, getting herself into the box and heading wide of Ashley Hughes’ goal.

After two penalty shouts were turned down for the visitors, they were awarded a spot kick on 15 minutes.

Liz Grey was pulled down in the area, with the referee having no other option but to point to the spot.

Indi Dos Santos stepped up and sent Sophia Varley the wrong way, marking her first goal since her return to football after injury.

Daniella Naemi had a shot from distance late in the first half but Varley gathered comfortably.

Shortly after the restart, Morgan Witz tried curling a ball into the back of the net, only for Hughes to save.

Olympic started the second half the better of the two teams, with sustained pressure and consecutive corners, but it didn’t lead to anything for the home side as the Bulls held firm.

Edging into the final 20 minutes, Amber Luchtmeijer turned on the style, taking the ball from halfway, getting beyond her defenders before she was denied by Sophia Varley.

Ruby Nathan then created an opportunity for Peta Trimis in the box, with desperate defending seeing the winger’s shot blocked.

Moments later, Morgan Witz let fly with a powerful effort from distance, with Ashley Hughes just managing to tip the ball out for a corner.

Eyebrows were raised from the resulting corner, with Baxter Thew rising highest as her header came off the post, seemingly crossing the line, but no whistle came and the Bulls held on to their lead.

The home side had one final chance in stoppage time as Witz was fouled outside the area. Trimis stepped up but pulled her effort wide as Marty Garces extended their winning streak to 14 games.

Match Stats

Sydney Olympic: 0
Bulls FC Academy: 1 (Dos Santos 15’)

Sunday 5 July
The Crest

Sydney Olympic: 39. Varley, 7. Sossai, 8. Petkovski, 10. Nathan, 17. Witz, 18. Trimis, 31. Buchanan, 52. Bowman, 58. Fernandez, 61. Quilligan, 66. Thew.
Substitutes: 9. Nada, 12. Voisey-Youldon, 13. Baudana, 23. Bradley, 29. Wynne, 33. Arena, 56. Fraser.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Hughes, 2. Phillips, 5. Grey, 7. Dos Santos, 8. Valletta, 9. Luchtmeijer, 11. Naemi, 12. Meli, 17. Surjan, 30. Hunter, 33. Guichon.
Substitutes: 3. Hawkins, 10. Souza, 13. Vanderlaan, 14. Harpur, 15. Franklin, 18. Errichiello, 61. Simonsen.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder