By Bill Molloy (@Bill_Molloy94)

Four goals from Daniel Heffernan saw Heidelberg United cruise to a comfortable 4-0 win against Green Gully at Olympic Village on Sunday, with the latter now having conceded 22 goals in eight matches.

Heidelberg got off to a strong start and found the lead early with Heffernan’s first goal, as the ball was headed down to him and he put the ball well out of Kieran Gonzalez’s reach.

Heffernan found his second goal just seven minutes later, with a strike from well outside the box. Low and hard across Gonzalez’s right side, the Green Gully goalkeeper was once again left with no chance.

The forward said he was lucky with the way he hit the ball.

“I took a bit of a slip as I struck it and it kind of helped it go in...but I take any goal as it comes,” Heffernan said.

For the remainder of the first half, Heidelberg was well and truly on top of the visitors as it looked more comfortable in possession. Continuing forward in attack, the hosts looked to put the game beyond doubt before halftime.

The intensity of the game had appeared to have dropped significantly early in the second half until Heidelberg pounced and Heffernan completed his hat-trick with a clinical header, giving the hosts an unassailable lead.

Just for good measure, Heffernan netted his fourth for the game with 15 minutes remaining, taking advantage of a defensive error from Green Gully.

After the fourth goal, Heidelberg took the foot off the pedal and let the forlorn Green Gully players come at it, making for a dull finish to an otherwise energetic game.

Heffernan was in unstoppable form but was happier with his teammates.

“Happy with both [individual and team performance], but I’m more happy with the team performance than the individual,” he said.

The striker said he and his teammates were careful not to get ahead of themselves.

“At the moment we’re taking it week by week...it’s not only the wins but it’s also the performances,” he said.

The Green Gully defence has been shaky so far this season, and as the most experienced in the backline, the pressure is on Rodrigo Vargas.

“It doesn’t look good...at times it’s embarrassing. We go 1-0 down or 2-0 down and it’s like we just give up or throw the towel in,” Vargas said.

With results, as well as performances needing improvement, the former Melbourne Victory defender suggested it was time for change within the squad.

“If we’re not performing maybe it’s time to throw some younger players in and change it because if we’re going to lose 4-0 or 6-1 then we might as well use some young boys and give them a bit of experience.”

MATCH DETAILS

Heidelberg United 4 (Heffernan 15’, 22’, 55’, 75’) defeated Green Gully 0 at Olympic Village [HT: 2-0]

Heidelberg United: 20. Ryan Norval, 4. Jordan Wilkes, 3. Les Doumbalis, 13. Luke Byles, 6. Paul Miller, 17. Steven Pace, 10. Jack Petrie, 5. Daniel Vasilevski (2. Peter Kratky 70’) 9. Kosta Kanakaris (7. Stefan Baricevic 86’) 14. Daniel Heffernan, 22. Kaine Sheppard (23. Andrew Cartanos 76’)

Unused Subs: 1. Griffin McMaster

Yellow cards: None

Red Cards: None

Green Gully: 1. Kieran Gonzalez, 2. Daniel Jones, 5. Rodrigo Vargas, 7. Jeffrey Fleming, 8. Jason Hayne, 9. Brent Fisher (20. Osagie Ederaro 70’), 12. Matthew Sanders, 16. Sean Harding, 17. Andy Vargas (10. Ratip Cileli 80’), 19. Ardian Vuniqi (6. Stephen Downes 46’), 21. Brian Vanega

Unused Subs: 23. Dilen Ibrahim 4. Mitchell Bissinger

Yellow Cards: 8. Jason Hayne (56’)

Red Cards: None