Valere Germain became Macarthur Bulls’ all-time leading goalscorer as the club snapped their home drought with a 1-0 win over Melbourne City.
Germain’s record-breaking goal just past the hour mark not only guided Macarthur to their first win at Campbelltown Stadium since Round 1 but third position in the Isuzu UTE A-League, leapfrogging City in the process.
“It’s a big honour for me to become the highest goalscorer for the Bulls,” Germain told Network 10 post-game.
Macarthur have 24 point from 15 games, ahead of City on goal difference though the latter have a game in hand following back-to-back losses.
City were dealt a “massive” blow inside two minutes when star defender Kai Trewin was forced from the field due to injury with Subway Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic watching in the stands.
It was an evenly-contest first half in Campbelltown, where both defences asserted their dominance.
City, though, had the better of the opportunities. Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto breathed a sigh of relief in the 37th minute after he fluffed his attempt to collect a corner, though the visitors were unable to make him pay. It came moments after Kavian Rahmani danced his way into a position to shoot but it was straight at the Bulls shot-stopper.
Macarthur’s best opportunity fell to Valere Germain, who was picked out by Marin Jakolis with an inch-perfect cross in the 49th minute. But the golden chance went begging after the Bulls captain’s header was directed down into the ground before being tipped over the bar by Beach.
City nearly hit the front in sensational fashion against the run of play. Harry Politidis’ Tim Cahill-esque volley – circa the 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup with the Socceroos – sailed just over the bar.
Germain and Macarthur got their goal in the 62nd minute. The veteran Frenchman was the beneficiary of a brilliant Jed Drew assist – his seventh goal of the season just as the hosts had planned to substitute the latter.
Bernardo Oliveira was in the thick of the action for the Bulls after entering the fray and he almost doubled Macarthur’s lead, while Socceroo Marco Tilio made his long-awaited return from injury for City having been sidelined since November and he made an impact though the visitors were unable to find an equaliser.
