An inspired performance from captain Ulises Davila helped Macarthur create history as the Bulls sealed their first-ever trophy, beating Sydney United 58 to clinch the Australia Cup.
The Mexican star scored one, won a penalty for the other goal and was awarded the Mark Viduka Medal for the player of the match in the 2-0 win at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
The victory maintains the Bulls’ perfect record under the guidance of new coach Dwight Yorke who claimed his first piece of silverware in his coaching career.
“I came to Macarthur with an open mind, knowing the club was relatively new,” Yorke said.
“Speaking to the CEO, the chairman and the board of directors, they laid out their ambitions and they wanted to make history and to win things.
“I felt the club’s ambition was in line with my ambition as a coach and here we are and we’ve won the cup.
“Here we are two months in and from a historical point of view, we have won the Australia Cup.”
The Bulls dictated the tempo from the onset and forced United goalkeeper Danijel Nizic into an early save. From a Daniel Arzani corner, defender Jonathan Aspropotamitis steered a powerful header towards the bottom corner of the net, only to be denied a goal by a fine save from Nizic.
Only stoic defending from United prevented the Bulls’ from turning several well-worked raids on goal into clear-cut chances but there was only so long they could hold out. After half an hour, a darting run by Ulises Davila unlocked United’s backline. After surging into the box, he was tumbled over by Anthony Tomelic inside the box giving referee Daniel Elder little choice but to award a penalty.
Toure stood made no mistake from the spot, sending Nizic the wrong way to make it 1-0 with an emphatic penalty.
Macarthur’s increased pressure on United in the second half, refusing to let them play out of defence. An incessant press stifled United while the Bulls took their chances from distance, with Kearyn Baccus coming close on the hour with a long-range strike.
Substitute Anthony Carter almost doubled the Bulls’ tally with a fine strike on the turn that brought out the best in United goalkeeper, Nizic.
The Bulls eventually had their second minutes before full-time when Craig Noone was brought down in the box by United’s Cristian Gonzalez. Davila sealed the win with a composed penalty to clinch Macarthur’s first-ever trophy.
