By David Manuca (@davidmanuca) 

Green Gully and Heidelberg United have played out a dramatic 1-1 draw at Green Gully Reserve on Wednesday night. 

Heidelberg opened the scoring early through Mark McGough but his strike was cancelled out by Jason Hayne’s free-kick on 58 minutes.

The drama ensued when a late goal by Dan Heffernan was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee, which would have given third-placed Heidelberg all three points.

It was the away side who struck first inside the opening six minutes with the first shot on goal.  

The ball fell to McGough on the edge of the area and the midfielder smashed a shot in to Kieran Gonzalez’s bottom right corner.

All of the chances were being created by Heidelberg in the first-half with Andrew Cartanos the next to go close, before Les Doumbalis put a shot narrowly wide.

Kaine Sheppard came closest to doubling United’s lead when he took advantage of a defensive mix-up by Green Gully but he could only direct his shot on to the post.

Peter Deng conjured up Green Gully’s first shot on goal on 30 minutes, hitting a half volley in to a Heidelberg defender which sparked cries of handball from the home side.

Jason Hayne then almost put the ball in the back of the net two minutes later, but it would have been the wrong net, with his header just skimming wide of the post as he was defending a corner. 

Green Gully came out of the half-time break a more composed and organised side and it showed with them creating the early chances.

Thomas Deng played in Brent Fisher seven minutes in to the second 45 but Griffin McMaster was alert and came off his line well to deny the Gully striker.

A foul given away by Luke Byles in a dangerous position gifted Gully the chance to equalise just before the hour and Hayne made no mistake, firing a low free-kick through the wall and past the Heidelberg defence.

The equaliser spurred Heidelberg to pick up their game and chances from Sheppard and then Cartanos gave Gonzalez a fright. 

Osagie Ederaro was quiet throughout the game and almost popped up with a goal to give Gully the lead with twenty minutes to go but his header was tame and straight at McMaster.

Peter Deng came close a minute later but another McMaster save kept the scores level. 

There was to be one last chance in the game and it fell to Heidelberg with four minutes to go but Heffernan’s seemingly legal goal was ruled out by the officials.

Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis was not impressed with the decision after the game.

“I’m disappointed with the result because with so much possession in the first half and the amount of chances we created I thought we should have got something more out of it,” said Katsakis.

“In saying that it was a very poor decision with the header. It was a great goal. I think they’ve even admitted somebody else was offside and I question he was even interfering with play.” 

MATCH DETAILS
Green Gully 1 (Hayne 58’) drew with Heidelberg United 1 (McGough 6’) at Green Gully Reserve. [HT: 0-1] 

Green Gully XI: 1. Kieran GONZALEZ, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 6. Stephen DOWNES, 7. Jeffrey FLEMING, 8. Jason HAYNE, 9. Brent FISHER, 10. Ratip CILELI (22. Habib FLEIFEL 78’), 16. Thomas DENG, 19. Peter DENG, 20. Osagie EDERARO, 21. Adam PETKO.

Un-used substitutes: 23. Christopher AILAKIS, 4. Mathew REID, 11. Jem BERKANT, 18. Cameron DAVIES.

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil

Heidelberg United XI: 1. Griffin McMASTER, 2. John LAZARIDIS, 17. Steve PACE (8. Zane SOLE 78’), 13. Luke BYLES, 3. Les DOUMBALIS (4. Jordan WILKES 52’), 9. Kosta KANAKARIS, 10. Jack PETRIE, 11. Mark McGOUGH (19. Jakob WILLIAMS 58’), 23. Andrew CARTANOS, 14. Dan HEFFERNAN, 22. Kaine SHEPPARD.

Un-used substitutes: 20. Ryan NORVAL, 16. James GOULOPOLOUS.

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil