|
|
|
|
|
|
VICTORIAN PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT |
|
|
Determined Lions just edged out by Warriors
Monday
10 August 2009
(John Fotinos) - Heidelberg United has kept its final five
hopes alive heading into next week’s final home and away
fixture by edging out a determined Preston Lions outfit
3-2 at the Olympic Village.
In contrast to their meeting earlier in the season which
ended in a lopsided 7-0 win to Heidelberg, the
inexperienced Preston team served it up to their hosts,
pushing them for the full 90 minutes. Ultimately,
Heidelberg’s edge in class & experience was just enough to
see it claim all three points despite at times a
lacklustre performance.
There was drama prior to the kick-off, as Heidelberg were
forced to make a late change in its starting line-up.
Striker Mark Tsiorlas was a late withdrawal, replaced by
Denis Alilovic, with Tsiorlas forced onto the sidelines
with a knee complaint.
The match began with Heidelberg seeking to impose itself
on the match immediately in order to get on top of the
young & inexperienced Lions outfit. The home side did not
have to wait long to open the score, when after a series
of corners, Ouliaris found an opening at the edge of the
box. His well-placed cross found Ederaro who headed home
from close range to give Heidelberg an early lead. With
Heidelberg well on top, it appeared only a matter of time
for further additions to the score, particularly with
Ederaro causing havoc on the right.
A half-chance to Preston’s Jovanovski on 19 minutes saw
the striker shoot tamely wide, and a minute later
Heidelberg responded when a quick free kick by Magnacca
found Gasparis, who also shot barely wide. On 35 minutes,
a header by Alilovic flew wide of the mark, as Heidelberg
sought a second goal.
Preston, despite being undermanned & lacking experience in
its line-up, kept the pressure on its opponent, and
through Jason Dolevski, found an unlikely equaliser on 40
minutes. The Preston forward had made a strong run on the
left, leaving two Heidelberg opponents in his wake, before
his low swerving shot beat Gavalas to leave the score at
1-1.
With the sides level at half-time, Heidelberg needed to
show a much improved performance in the second half, or
face the prospect of being out of the race for a final
five spot. The early stages of the second period saw
Heidelberg have a couple of chances to take the lead, but
with Preston weathering the storm, they almost took the
lead themselves. First, Hana hit a low shot just wide &
from the resultant corner, Jovanovski shot over, as the
young Lions enjoyed a good spell.
The game swung in Heidelberg’s favour on 57 minutes, when
Alilovic was clipped in the penalty box by Branov, leaving
referee Hakan Anaz no option but to award a penalty to
Heidelberg. Ederaro steeped up to easily beat Salcin and
give Heidelberg a 2-1 lead. The home side seemed to settle
into a better rhythm following the second goal & created a
series of opportunities over the next few minutes.
It was no surprise to see them take a 3-1 lead on 63
minutes following a short corner played to Gasparis, whose
cross was met by a Magnacca header that looped past a
despairing Salcin. Heidelberg had more chances to extend
the lead, but the plucky Preston outfit pulled a goal back
on 87 minutes through Jason Dolevski, following a cross
from Hana on the right saw Dolevski meet it well with a
powerful header past Gavalas. Despite some anxious moments
for the home side in the dying moments, they almost added
a fourth when substitute Rudy Saglam’s swerving shot was
expertly tipped wide by Salcin, and Heidelberg ran out 3-2
winners.
Next week’s final round sees Heidelberg host
ladder-topping Dandenong Thunder in a game the ‘Bergers
must win if they hope to play finals this season. Preston
host Whittlesea in a game that will decide which of the
two relegated sides takes out the wooden spoon.
In this afternoon’s U/21 match, Heidelberg United 5
defeated Preston Lions 2.
Heidelberg United: Gavalas, Roberts, Jones,
Ouliaris (Markley 90’), Vassilidis. Magnacca, Alilovic (Psonis
58’), Stefanou, Drossos, Gasparis, Ederaro (Saglam 84’)
Goal Scorers: Ederaro 4’, 58’ (pen), Magnacca 63’
Yellow Cards: Ouliaris
Preston Lions FC: Salcin, Kolevski, Najdovski,
Branov, Kocevski (Mitrevski 75’). Hana, Filipovic,
Dolevski, Tenovski, Jones, Jovanovski
Goal Scorer: Dolevski 40’, 87’
Yellow Cards: Koevski, Tenovski, Jones
Crowd: 350 (unofficial) at Olympic Village |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
