By Brandon Galgano (@BGALGANO94)

A double from Dan Heffernan was enough for Heidelberg United to secure a deserved three points against an injury-ravaged Hume City outfit at Broadmeadows Valley Park on Sunday afternoon.

A fantastic display from Hume goalkeeper Chris Oldfield ensured the hosts didn’t get embarrassed in what was a dominant performance from the visitors.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper was on hand to make a number of brilliant saves but was simply let down by his defence as the likes of Dan Heffernan, Kaine Sheppard and Andrew Cartanos tore the Hume defence to shreds.

It was the hosts who started the match the brighter though and they very nearly took the lead inside the first two minutes as John Sapazovski found space in the area, but his header flew well over the bar.

Heidelberg was the next to go close in the sixth minute as Glen McGough lined up a free kick from 25 yards out, but his low drive skimmed the bottom right-hand post on its way out.

The Bergers had their best chance of the half to open the scoring in the 24th minute through Sheppard, but his effort was brilliantly denied by the onrushing Oldfield.

John Buceto should have put the hosts in front in the 39th minute as he found himself free on the edge of the area with only ‘keeper Griffin McMaster to beat, but his left-footed effort was well wide. 

With just seconds remaining in the half, the Bergers thought they had taken the lead as McGough found space right on the penalty spot before launching a sizzling left-footed effort towards the top corner, but Oldfield was on hand to produce one of the saves of the season, tipping the ball away for a corner.

Oldfield was on hand again to deny the visitors early in the second half as Kosta Kanakaris was played through brilliantly by Cartanos, but the Heidelberg midfielder’s stinging drive was beaten away at the near post by the Hume City custodian.

Heidelberg finally broke through in the 67th minute via Heffernan, who sits second in the NPL goalscoring tally.

The star striker found himself in the right place at the right time following some fantastic build up-play from Cartanos to slot home past Oldfield and give the visitors the lead.

And despite some further heroics from an in-form Oldfield, Heffernan made the points safe in stoppage time as Zane Sole provided a pinpoint cross which found the former Salford City striker in space to head home his second.

Hume City coach Lou Acevski lamented his side’s inability to take the chances presented to them, but lauded the outstanding performance of his goalkeeper.

"Look in the end they took their chances and we didn’t and it’s been the story of our season so yeah it’s very disappointing,” Acevski said.

"Oldfield has been outstanding for us all season and in my opinion he is the best goalkeeper in the league  and I think it showed today as he was absolutely brilliant.’’

Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis was delighted with his side’s display against a young Hume City.

"Yeah I’m absolutely delighted with our efforts today, on a good pitch it certainly makes a difference and to be honest we could have had five or six today so I’m really pleased with the result as that wraps up fourth spot for us,” Katsakis said.

Katsakis also reserved some praise for Oldfield.

"He (Oldfield) was absolutely outstanding today and he made a number of world-class saves to deny us and I do believe he kept them (Hume City) in the game in that second half so credit to him.”

MATCH DETAILS

Hume City 0 lost to Heidelberg United 2 (Heffernan 67’ 90’) at Broadmeadows Valley Park [HT: 0-0]

Hume City: 1 Chris Oldfield (GK, C), 28 Matt Hennessey, 17 Aaron Turner, 4 Issy Erdogan, 6 Joe Franjic, 16 Ilhan Altuntas (39 Nick Hegarty 56’), 34 John Buceto, 5 John Sapazovski (10 Richie Cardozo 68’), 11 Kliment Taseski, 8 Abel Fesseha (45’ Christopher Cristaldo), 22 Niko Jackson

Unused substitutes: 20 Denis Martin, 18 Perry Lambropoulos

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil

Heidelberg United: 1 Griffin McMaster (GK), 2 John Lazaridis, 4 Jordan Wilkes (3 Les Doumbalis 45’), 13 Luke Byles (C), 19 Jakob Williams, 9 Kosta Kanakaris (6 Paul Miller 71’), 10 Jack Petrie, 23 Andrew Cartanos (8 Zane Sole 88’), 11 Mark McGough, 14 Dan Heffernan, 22 Kaine Sheppard

Unused substitute: 32 Ryan Norval

Yellow cards: Byles 77’

Red cards: Nil