The two derby meetings between South Melbourne FC and Heidelberg United in 2016 have been extraordinary to say the least. In the first meeting at Lakeside Stadium back in February, South demolished Heidelberg 6-0 to record the club’s biggest ever winning margin against the Bergers in 82 league meetings since 1964. At the Olympic Village on Sunday evening, Heidelberg brushed South aside 5-0 to also record their biggest ever winning margin against their rivals.
The scoring was opened on the half hour mark. A free kick from the left side was only partially cleared as the ball fell for centre-back Steven Pace to smash home past Nikola Roganovic. The match was then over as a contest just before the halftime break with two quick goals from Kenny Athiu and Harry Noon that put the Bergers in a commanding 3-0 halftime lead. Athiu got on the end of a free kick to head home past Roganovic and Noon capitalised on a loose ball in the South area just two minutes later.
The scoring was completed just before the hour mark as the Bergers scored two early second half goals. Noon scored his second of the evening (and second goal within five minutes) when he reacted first to the loose ball in the area as the South defence failed to clear the ball. On 58 minutes, Jack Petrie scored the goal of the night when he got possession of the ball and fired home from the edge of the area with a low shot that had Roganovic stretching to his right but unable to keep out of the net.
South’s miserable night was completed when Nick Epifano’s late penalty kick curled over the crossbar and out for a goal kick in what was his second penalty miss in three matches. South has now lost two matches in their last three games and a Bentleigh win over FC Bulleen Lions tonight will see the Greens overtake South on top of the PS4 NPL Victoria ladder.
There was an incredible 10 goals scored in the Under 20s as South Melbourne defeated Heidelberg United 8-2. Maker Maker (x2), Giordano Marafioti (x2), Brandon Jansz (x2), Thierry Iradukunda and Nashir Hussainy scored South’s eight goals.
There is not much time for the Senior Team to regroup before facing NPL 1 opposition North Geelong in the Sixth Round of FFA Cup Qualifying in what is simply a must-win game on Wednesday night. The match will be played at Port Melbourne’s SS Anderson Reserve, with kick-off at 7:30pm.
FINAL SCORE: HEIDELBERG UNITED 5-0 SOUTH MELBOURNE (HT: 3-0)
Goal Scorers:
1-0: Steven Pace (29′)
2-0: Kenny Athiu (42′)
3-0: Harry Noon (44′)
4-0: Harry Noon (49′)
5-0: Jack Petrie (58′)
Heidelberg United FC:
1. Chris THEODORIDIS (GK), 2. Josh WILKINS, 6. Lewis HALL, 7. Reuben WAY, 10. Jack PETRIE, 11. Kosta KANAKARIS (24. Emmanuel TSAKIRIS 89′), 12. Kenny ATHIU, 13. Luke BYLES (C), 14. Harry NOON, 17. Steven PACE (21. Andreas GOVAS 66′), 19. Sean ELLIS (4. Johnny LAZARIDIS 62′).
Unused Subs: 8. Andrew CARTANOS, 23. Jack EVANS.
South Melbourne FC:
1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK) / 12. Amadu KOROMA, 4. Michael EAGAR (C), 23. Matthew FOSCHINI, 11. Brad NORTON / 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS, 99. Iqi JAWADI (17. Marcus SCHROEN 46′) / 18. Matthew MILLAR, 8. Mathew THEODORE (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 56′), 7. Nick EPIFANO / 9. Milos LUJIC.
Unused Subs: 14. Chris IRWIN, 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 23. Andy KECOJEVIC.
SMFC Melbourne City Toyota Man of the Match: Matthew Millar
Venue: Olympic Village
Date: Sunday 29 May 2016
(Photo by Cindy Nitsos)