By Sean Ellicott (@SeanEllicott)

A stunning injury-time free kick from Oakleigh Cannon's Dusan Bosnjak has seen his side come from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Heidelberg United at Jack Edwards Reserve.

With the scores locked at 1-1 in the 94th minute, Bosnjak brilliantly curled his free kick past Griffin McMaster into the top corner, ensuring that Oakleigh would claim the three points.

The visitors would however count themselves unlucky walking away without at least a point, controlling the majority of the contest and taking the advantage prior to halftime.

Jack Petrie's inch-perfect free kick found the head of Kaine Sheppard, with the forward sublimely flicking the ball into the back of the net.

The goal had been coming for Heidelberg, which had dictated proceedings for most of the first interval and outplayed its opponent all over the park.

Cannons coach Miron Bleiberg sought to inject some life into his side at halftime, introducing Dean Piemonte.

The hosts notably began the second half with more intent, stringing passes together with urgency.

Heidelberg almost extend its advantage after the restart, however, with Mark McGough striking the upright form ten yards, albeit on a difficult angle.

Oakleigh nevertheless responded positively.

There were promising signs for the Cannons with Goran Zoric hanging a well-weighted cross onto the head of Bosnjak, but the forward could only steer his header wide.

Heidelberg had another opportunity to add a second only moments later through substitute Yusuf Yusuf, who after dribbling and weaving his way through Oakleigh's defence, was prevented from executing a shot on goal at the precise moment.

Withstanding a short burst of pressure from Heidelberg, Oakleigh found its equaliser after 71 minutes with Bosnjak netting his first.

On the receiving end of a wide ball into the penalty area, substitute Veton Korcari calmly squared the cross with his head to Bosnjak, who on his second touch, buried his chance into the bottom corner.

The equaliser appeared to open the game right up with Oakleigh pressing forward in search of a winner while Heidelberg did the same, refusing to sit on level terms.


It was end-to-end football which saw both teams attempt to hit the other on the counter in the dying stages of the game, with Oakleigh seizing its moment off the back of a Heidelberg corner.

On the break, Oakleigh's swift counter-attack was brought to an end with Dean Piemonte, who was fouled several yards out from the corner of the penalty area.

Taking the responsibilities, Bosnjak buried the free kick from 25 yards, sparking wild celebrations from the home fans and securing his brace in the process.

Cannons assistant coach Franz Wiemper commended the efforts of his side.

"Its ‘Roy of the Rovers’ stuff. It’s heroes and it’s great for the neutrals. If these situations were in the EPL we'd be viewing it all week and the lads did very well," Wiemper said.

"We were a little bit disappointed in our first half because we didn't quite execute what we'd been working on. Having said that you've got to be fair to the opposition, I think they are very well coached and they are a very good side and they were up for it.

"Because we had self belief and spoke about it, we tweaked it a little a bit in the second half and we never lost faith."

Heidelberg coach George Katsakis praised his charges in defeat.

"I can't ask more from the boys to be honest,” Katsakis said.
 
"It'd be wrong for me to point out anyone today because I thought everyone’s work ethic and their work rate was phenomenal in that first half.

"Second half they kept up with it again and like I said it was a pity that certain things didn't fall our way and I don't want to single out anybody really, I thought it was a great team effort."

Heidelberg United will now turn its attention to a home fixture against Goulburn Valley Suns in Round 3, while Oakleigh will look to extend its winning streak away to Port Melbourne.

MATCH DETAILS

Oakleigh Cannons 2 (Dusan Bosnjak 71’, 90’+4) defeated Heidelberg United 1 (Kaine Sheppard 42’) at Jack Edwards Reserve
 
Oakleigh Cannons: John HONOS [GK], Aron WILFORD, Dominic D'ANGELO, George KROMMIDAS (Veton KORCARI 57'), Thomas LAKIC, Jordan LOWDON, Goran ZORIC, Andreas GOVAS (Ian KAMAU 69'), Evan CHRISTODOULOU, Dusan BOSNJAK, Nathaniel FOSTER (Dean PIEMONTE 45').

Unused Subs: Harry RAWORTH, Bonel OBRADOVIC

Yellow Cards: Wilford (60'), Piemonte (86')

Red Cards: None

Heidelberg United: Griffin McMASTER [GK], Jordan WILKES, Luke BYLES, Steven PACE, Kosta KANAKARIS (Stefan BARICEVIC 78'), Paul MILLER, Les DOUMBALIS, Jack PETRIE, Mark McGOUGH (Andrew CARTANOS 86'), Daniel HEFFERNAN, Kaine SHEPPARD (Yusuf YUSUF 63').

Unused Subs: Ryan NORVAL, Haris STAMBOULIDIS,

Yellow Cards: Miller (72'), Petrie (87’), Wilkes (90’+5).

Red Cards: None

Pictured: Oakleigh players celebrate Dusan Bosnjak's winner (Image credit: Graeme Furlong)