Image: Natasha Morello
Bulleen Lions and Oakleigh Cannons went into their Round 15 clash in contrasting form, with the former losing three in a row while the latter were on a six-game unbeaten run.
The Lions were in desperate need of the three points to fight their way from the relegation zone, while the Cannons were making a charge at the finals places, just one point sixth-place Hume City.
The hosts handed a starting debut to Scottish forward Lewis Hawke, most recently of Furman University in the United States but beginning his career with Greenock Morton in his native homeland. He was replacing a fellow Scot in Christian McKenna as a mid-season addition at the Veneto Club.
Oakleigh had a makeshift defence with Kostas Stratomitros lining up alongside Steve Pantelidis in the centre due to the outstanding Adrian Chiappetta being unavailable, while Shayan Alinejad was back at left-back and Tom Matthews on the right.
But it was an error at the other end in the 12th minute that helped the visitors take the lead when Goran Zoric pounced to tee up Dusan Bosnjak, who netted against his old club and former teammate Lewis Italiano in goals.
Bosnjak was soon at it again as he played through Giuseppe Marafioti in on goal. Italiano was too slow to get to the ball, cleaning up the striker in the process – needless because the ball had been cleared off the line. Eventually Bosnjak stepped up and put away his second of the night.
For a while it seemed as though there was an air of resignation around David Barro Stadium but some life was breathed into the contest before the break during a goalmouth scrap when Nick Voulgaris found Luke Gallo to tuck away a goal, grabbing his second of the season – first from outfield after netting the first against Oakleigh in Round 2 from the spot.
Immediately after the break the game burst to life when Templin netted one of the goals of the year, taking Gallo’s juggled pass and volleying in from outside the area with a dipping effort that left John Honos well beaten.
The hosts grew in confidence with Templin taking a few more cracks from distance which didn’t miss by much.
The eventual winner came via Lewis Hawke, who was sniffing around the box and put away the go-ahead goal when Honos couldn’t hold on to a cross from the left wing. It was a perfect introduction for the new signing, immediately endearing himself to the home faithful.
Oakleigh pushed late but to no avail, with a couple of shouts for handball in the box waved away and goalbound shots blocked to safety.
The 3-2 win takes Bulleen above Kingston in 11th, who drop into the half-relegation spot in 12th, while Oakleigh miss their chance to leapfrog Hume City in the top six.