Solomon Kings made it three wins from their last four matches with an impressive victory over Bula FC in Melbourne.
Having struggled in their defeat to Vanuatu United, Ben Cahn’s side were determined to right the ship and started brightly, being on top for most of the opening 45 minutes.
It was the usual suspects to the fore for Solomon Kings, with Sota Higashide, Jez Lofthouse and Junior David all looking threatening as Bula FC struggled to find a foothold.
Just under twenty minutes was on the clock when the well-deserved breakthrough arrived. Fordney Junior played the ball into Lofthouse, who laid the ball off to Junior David. David then played Lofthouse through on goal and the Australian finished from the inside-right channel with aplomb.
Higashide almost doubled the lead within minutes, but flashed his effort narrowly wide of Didier Desprez’s left-hand post, before Clivert Sam headed wide when left unmarked from a corner.
Bula FC were almost gifted a way back in shortly before half-time, when David Supa misjudged a header back to Phillip Mango, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to bail out his defender with a good save.
To their credit, Bula FC raised their game in the second period but were still struggling to create much in the way of clear chances.
Stephane Auvray turned to his bench, bringing on Roy Krishna, Fergus Gillion and Kaile Auvray in an attempt to turn the tide and find a way back into the contest.
Maikah Dau had a half chance to level the score, turning Clivert Sam inside out but slashing his subsequent effort high and wide when he should have hit the target.
Solomon Kings remained a threat at the other end and their second goal inevitably arrived with fifteen minutes remaining. Fordney Junior was played through on goal and as he shot, was dragged down by Delon Shankar in the box.
Referee Mederic Lacour pointed to the spot and, despite being summoned for a VAR check, stuck to his original decision to award the penalty.
Sota Higashide took the responsibility and tucked his effort into the top corner expertly, leaving Didier Desprez with no chance.
Bula continued to work hard in search of a way back in. Yuta Konagaya forced Mango into an excellent reflex save before Auvray fired over from a tight angle.
Fifteen minutes of additional time was signaled, but it wasn’t to be for Bula and Solomon Kings held on cement their position in third place. – OFC Pro League
Solomon Kings FC:Â 2 (Jez LOFTHOUSE 19′, Sota HIGASHIDE (P) 76′)
Bula FC:Â 0
HT: 1-0
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