Bulls hopes crushed by last-minute goal
Andrew Piva
Monday, August 30, 2010
© The Cairns Post
THAT smashing sound heard echoing from Borzi Park on Saturday night was the hearts of the FNQ Bulls breaking after an injury-time goal to NQ Razorbacks striker Joshua Searle ended their Queensland State League season.
The Bulls cut disconsolate figures after fulltime, many dropping to the ground as the dreadful consequence of their 2-1 semi-final defeat sunk in.
Bulls coach Peter Tokesi was equally gutted. The Bulls had not lost to the Razorbacks in three games this season but could not win the one that mattered most.
"It's a really cruel way to go out,"Tokesi said. "I was looking forward to extra time, like we all were, and if we had gone to extra time I believe it would've suited us but it didn’t happen because they scored right at the end.
"The players are absolutely devastated at what's happened."
With more than 1000 people packed into the ground, the teams produced a contest worthy of the Cairns-Townsville rivalry.
The Razorbacks had the better of the early opportunities but it was the Bulls who found the net first.
Dashing winger Nathan Bird turned his opponent inside out during a sprint down the right flank before his cross found teammate Joe Rusch on the edge of the box.
The Bulls striker did not rush his effort. Instead, he took the time to square the angle before beating Razorbacks keeper Daniel Wilesmith with a low shot.
The Razorbacks forced a number of fine saves from Bulls custodian Angelo Serafin during the first half before Searle equalised for his team 10 minutes before the break.
Scores were locked 1-1 at halftime but the Bulls nearly took the lead within minutes of the restart.
Rusch found himself in space in the box but could not generate enough power to beat Wilesmith with his shot.
Bulls forward David Ruiz almost gave the home side the lead when he left the ground for a spectacular aerial kick but the effort flew wide of the goalpost.
It was a half of near misses and fluffed opportunities from both sides as spectators’ bottoms moved to the edges of seats during the final 10 minutes.
The game looked certain to go into extra time before the Razorbacks broke the deadlock with a stinging counter attack.
A through ball was not dealt with by the Bulls and in the ensuing scramble it was Searle who won the race to poke home the winning goal.
It was the cruellest of kills for the Bulls but Tokesi hopes the result does not overshadow what his side achieved in only their second year in the state league.
"I've been proud to coach these boys.
‘‘All year their effort has been fantastic," he said.
"It's never good to lose and to go out now is a bit sad because I think the players were expecting a lot more themselves
