Match Report: South Island United 2-3 Bula FC

South Island United let a 2-0 lead slip in the second half at the National Stadium in Honiara, as Bula FC snatched all three points at the death in our final match in the Solomon Islands.

Our top goal-scorer this season, Ryan Feutz returned to the starting eleven, as Rob Sherman made three changes. Whilst the scorer of both goals for Bula FC in their 2-0 win over Tahiti United on the weekend - Setareki Hughes - was thrust into the starting line-up in one of two changes made by Stephane Auvray.  

It was hometown hero and Solomon Islands international Rovu Boyers who again stamped his authority on the match, fresh off scoring the first hat-trick of the OFC Pro League just six days earlier.  

He capitalised on a chaotic opening to the match, setting up David Yoo down the right-hand side of the box, who powered a finish into the roof of the net on his right foot to give South Island United the lead.  

Boyers then added the second goal ten minutes later in the 26th minute, Yoo flicking the ball on for him to head past Foord at the back post.  

Twice Bula FC had been caught in transition and twice they had conceded, as South Island United went to the break with a handy two-goal lead.

A disallowed goal from Roy Krishna for offside at the start of the second-half didn’t deter Bula FC though, who eventually halved the deficit just before the hour mark.

Sterling Vasconcellos found Thomas Dunn with a cut-back off the right flank, and the latter was on hand to head home past Steven Van Dijk, to give the Fijian side hope of a comeback.

Boyers thought he'd added the cherry on top with South Island United's third goal just after the hour mark, only for VAR to intervene and rule him out for offside.

Kaile Auvray's late strike struck the hand of a South Island United defender and won his side a penalty, giving captain Krishna the chance to equalise.

He made no mistake, slotting the ball inside the bottom-left corner to score his second of the season and level the scores with a lengthy period of additional time still to play.

The drama wasn't over yet though, Scott Wara scoring the winner in the 11th minute of injury-time with a sensational overhead kick from close range.

South Island United are next in action against Vanuatu United FC in the fourth circuit of the OFC Pro League in Fiji.

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