The Christmas festivities at Campbelltown Sports Stadium saw the Bulls and the Central Coast Mariners share the spoils after a 1-1 draw on Monday night.
Monday night football returned to Campbelltown Sports Stadium, with the Bulls facing the Central Coast Mariners. Amid festive celebrations, including a special appearance by the Grinch in the Bullpen, the Bulls aimed to gift their fans a victory as a Christmas treat.
The first half saw the Bulls settle into a balanced rhythm, weathering the Mariners’ attacking efforts while waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Jed Drew and Marin Jakoliš had promising attempts at goal, but neither could convert their chances.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Drew’s strike deflected off Daniel De Silva’s head and found the back of the net. After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was confirmed, giving the Bulls an early advantage. They held the lead until half-time.
In the second half, the Mariners returned with renewed energy, and they equalised in the 53rd minute. Despite the setback, the Bulls pushed forward, coming close to reclaiming the lead. Drew’s effort narrowly clipped the side netting, and substitutions from Walter Scott, Ariath Piol, Dean Bosnjak, and Liam Rose brought fresh legs to the field. Notably, the match marked the return of Bernardo after a lengthy recovery from an Achilles injury.
The game remained deadlocked at 1-1. The Bulls faced further adversity in the 89th minute when Tomislav Uskok was shown a straight red card, reducing the team to 10 men.
Despite the challenges, the Bulls held on to secure a point in this festive clash against the Mariners, bringing an exciting end to the Christmas fixture.
