After last night’s 3-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners, it looks like things had to get worse before they got better for Macarthur FC.
After just one win in 11 games, they have now dropped out of the top six for the first time in ages, and unless things improve quickly 2026 will be another season to forget.
Things went so bad last night for the Bulls it’s possible to argue they can’t get much worse.
A huge storm an hour before kick off that brought torrential rain, lightning and thunder over Campbelltown Stadium was perhaps an omen of another bad night at the office for the home side.
And unfortunately, that’s how it turned out to be once the game got under way almost alf an hour late.
The first half was actually quite a normal affair, with the Mariners leading 1-0 after 45 minutes, courtesy of a goal off a penalty kick from the spot.
As for the Bulls, they created chances but just couldn’t buy a goal, not even their Socceroo centre forward Mitch Duke.
The big fellow is trying so hard to get the ball into the back of the net his timing is way off at the moment.
But the one goal advantage did give the Bulls hope that they could still pinch the three points on offer.
Sadly, things went the opposite way and actually worse for the Bulls, especially in the last 20 minutes.
Mariners extended their lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute, but less than two minutes later an Anthony Caceres blast from outside the box made it 2-1.
Three minutes later Bulls central defender Tom Uskok was given a red card for a late tackle, leaving the side with 10 men as they desperately tried to get something out of the game.
In the 74th minute, young goalkeeper Alex Robinson also received a red card after doing what he had to do to stop the Mariners scoring a third.
Down nine men, and having to replace the goalkeeper, Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski was forced to sacrifice one of his outfield players.
But in the end, it all counted for nought as the Mariners scored a third in the 84th minute and the fat lady started singing.
There are six games left for the Bulls to save their season, and I guess in that period we will see if their coach and the players are made of the right stuff.
Next round the Bulls are away to Melbourne Victory, followed by another road trip to New Zealand to face Auckland FC, before returning home to host Newcastle.
Then they’re away to Perth Glory and Adelaide United, before hosting Wellington Phoenix at home on Friday, April 24 in the last round of the competition.