Bula FC were made to work hard as they held on to see off PNG Hekari FC and secure a vital three points in Round 3 of the OFC Pro League.
Both sides had tasted defeat in their opening matches in Melbourne, so were keen to hit the ground running and it was the Fijian side who looked brighter early on.
Filipe Baravilala was a focal point in the opening minutes and, having already tested Dave Tomare with a decent effort, it was his work that led to the opening goal.
Finding space down the right-hand side, Baravilala’s cross was knocked forward by Fergus Gillion and Thomas Dunn was on hand to turn in from a matter of yards out.
A lengthy VAR check focused on a potential offside in the buildup but it was cleared and Stephane Auvray’s side had the early breakthrough they craved.
PNG Hekari’s task was made tougher soon after, when they were forced into an early change – Lekima Gonerau came off through injury and was replaced by Shane Sakael with only 18 minutes on the clock.
Bula FC took advantage of their opponents disjointed start and doubled their lead ten minutes before the break. Countering from a PNG Hekari free-kick, the ball was worked out to Kaile Auvray, who burnt past his defender and fired an effort in at the near post, with Dave Tomare rooted to the spot.
It was a short-lived two-goal lead however, as Ati Kepo grabbed his first goal of the season and halved the deficit for his side. Winning the ball high up the pitch, Kepo’s quick-fire effort from the edge of the box flashed past Didier Desprez and in off the post.
Stephane Auvray was forced into making a change at the break, with Scott Wara making way for Mohammed Ayman. Ati Kepo almost took advantage of the disruption to Bula’s backline, latching onto a long ball over the top but firing straight at Desprez when perhaps he should have done better.
To their credit, PNG Hekari were vastly improved in the second period, enjoying greater possession and troubling a increasingly nervous-looking Bula FC backline.
Despite their improved showing however, they continued to toil when generating goal scoring opportunities. Ati Kepo and Rex Naime in particular were working hard and trying to exploit space in behind as Bula FC tired without much joy.
Roy Krishna had a good half-chance with five minutes to go, darting to the near post and connecting with Nabil Begg’s cross, only to divert his effort wide.
There was further concern for Stephane Auvray when Semi Nabenu was the latest Bula FC defender to limp off, replaced by Sterling Vasconcellos.
Any chance of a late PNG Hekari comeback were firmly extinguished late in stoppage time, when John Orobulu was shown a second yellow card and sent off. The forward had only come on in the 72nd minute and his overexuberance cost him and his side.
PNG Hekari FC: 1 (Ati KEPO 38′)
Bula FC: 2 (Thomas DUNN 11′, Kaile AUVRAY 36′)
HT: 1-2
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek