Sport
18 April, 2026
Dolphins win 2-1 versus Bulls in tough match
THERE was no love lost between Stratford Dolphins and Mareeba Bulls as the two sides clashed in a hard-fought contest, with both desperate to secure valuable points.
For the Bulls, the pressure was mounting as they entered the match still searching or their first win after three rounds.
From the outset, it was the home side who stamped their authority on the game.
Stratford controlled possession and territory through the opening half hour, repeatedly testing the Bulls’ defensive structure.
Their early dominance paid off in the 13th minute when Bryce Childers forced an error that resulted in an own goal, handing the Dolphins a deserved 1-0 lead.
Despite struggling to gain a foothold, Mareeba showed resilience and gradually worked their way back into the contest.
Their reward came through Wayne Srhoj, who delivered a well-struck free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.
With stand-in goalkeeper Angelo Serafin unable to handle the effort cleanly, the ball slipped over the line to level the scores at 1-1 heading into the break.
The second half was an arm wrestle, with neither side able to create clear-cut opportunities.
However, the match took a dramatic turn in the final 15 minutes. Srhoj, already on a yellow card, was shown a second for ungentlemanly conduct, following a heated exchange in the penalty area involving Darcy McCormack and Serafin.
McCormack was also dismissed with a straight red, leaving Mareeba reduced to just nine men.
What followed was a display of grit and determination from the Bulls, who defended bravely under relentless pressure.
Stratford assistant coach Massimo Zaini acknowledged both his side’s persistence and the opposition’s effort.
“We’re happy with these points and this gives us a solid building block for the rest of the season,” he said.
