Bulli sneak past Tarra

Bulli’s Matt Bailey and Tarrawanna’s Frank Barilla duel during Bulli’s IPL win.

BULLI will face Illawarra Premier League (IPL) Champions Dandaloo in Saturday’s final after a hard-fought win over Tarrawanna on Saturday.

The Balls Park side needed penalties to book their place in the grand final qualifier after they were held to a 1-all draw at Crehan Park on Saturday.

Bulli went one-up when Marcello Guerrero scored from the edge of the penalty area after twenty minutes.

The Bulli side took that advantage to halftime but Tarrawanna equalised five minutes into the second half.

Frank ‘Chich’ Barilla matched Guerrero’s first half effort with a goal from the edge of the box.

Bulli had a chance to steal victory in injury time but Shane McGirr’s 91st-minute strike hit the post.

The Bulli side then looked sure to seal victory in extra time when they won a penalty after Stuart Glass brought down Alan Lo Proto in the area.

However, McGirr’s spot kick only found the crossbar, preserving the 1-all deadlock.

Tarra's Victor Costabile also hit the woodwork during extra time, consigning his side to its second shootout in as many weeks. Bulli's five penalty takers all scored, with the only miss coming from Tarra's Gavin O'Brien.

The Bulli side will now regroup to face Dandaloo in a grand final qualifier at Macedonia Park.

Meanwhile, Dapto and Albion Park White Eagles will play in the other qualifier at Wetherall Park. Both matches kick off at 3pm.

Albion Park booked their spot in the qualifier with a 2-nil win over Port Kembla at Balls Paddock.

The victory was costly, as star striker Osagie Ederaro for Saturday’s match after receiving his second booking of the finals series.

Like their previous-week loss to league champions Dandaloo, Port Kembla dominated the opening exchanges.

However, Albion Park ’keeper Mitchell Blowes made five telling saves to keep his side on terms.

Albion Park then scored against the run of play through Cord Tolson in the 27th minute.

Albion Park found a second goal early in the second half after Aaron O'Brien’s delightful crossfield ball found an unmarked Ederaro. His strike left Port ’keeper David Chambers with no chance.