By: RORY FLANAGAN (@rory_flanagan)

Oakleigh Cannons have slumped to another defeat after Kaine Sheppard's first half strike earned Heidelberg United the win on Sunday afternoon. 

After finishing runners-up to South Melbourne last year, the Cannons have only managed a solitary win this campaign from eight games. 

Bereft of confidence, Oakleigh failed to create a meaningful opportunity in the first half.

The closest they came was Goran Zoric's run being halted by a superb challenge from Kosta Kanakaris. 

In contrast, the table-topping Bergers were a well-oiled machine, organised and efficient whilst covering miles of ground. 

Clinical buildup play on 27 minutes presented Kaine Sheppard with an opportunity which he duly took, controlling at an awkward height before firing past Honos in goal. 

Off the back of scoring eight last week, the Warriors' confidence was sky high. So much so that Andreas Govas drilled a quick free kick at the top corner from well inside his own half, forcing Honos to scramble and prevent the goal of the season. 

To compound matters for Oakleigh, Steve Pantelidis appeared to pull a hamstring and was replaced by Dom D'Angelo, while star man Dusan Bosnjak failed a fitness test at half time and sat out the rest of the game. 

To their credit, the Cannons improved as the game wore on and started to move the ball at a quicker pace. 

Ben Clarke looked to have drawn his side level when he got on the end of a free kick, only to see his effort crash into the upright. 

Despite the narrow margin, George Katsakis was happy for his side to soak up the pressure and frustrate the hosts.

A back three of Byles, Cumming, and the impressive Steven Pace saw off the threat of Goran Zoric to record their seventh win from nine matches. 

Oakleigh now face a difficult trip to North Geelong on Saturday, then Heidelberg host old foes Melbourne Knights as South Melbourne hunt them down at the top of the table. 

 

Match details

Oakleigh Cannons 0 defeated by Heidelberg United 1 (Sheppard 28') 

Oakleigh Cannons: John Honos, John Black, Dusan Bosnjak, Liam Boland, Ben Clarke, Adam Le Cornu, Jake McLean, Steve Pantelidis, Tremayne Sadler, Aron Wilford, Goran Zoric.

Subs: Kris Kioussis, Dean Piemonte, Dominic D'Angelo, Lajos Hun, Rowan McNamee

Heidelberg United: Griffin McMaster, Jamie Cumming, Luke Byles, Steven Pace, Kosta Kanakaris, Jack Petrie, Nejc Kolman, Andreas Govas, Reuben Way, Kaine Sheppard, Dan Heffernan.

Subs: Chris Maynard, Dan Vasilevski, Jakob Williams, Les Doumbalis, Jonathan Voulgaris