By Brad Hutchings (@BradHutchings_)

Werribee City will head into the final week of the NPL season with its status for next year still uncertain after being held to a 0-0 draw against Heidelberg United at Galvin Park.

Desperately chasing the three points to secure its top flight status, Werribee battled all day to break down Heidelberg and will now face fellow strugglers Port Melbourne in what will be a desperate battle to stay up.

The home side had a glorious chance to take maximum points when they were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute that defender Ryan Filipovic failed to convert.

But the big centre-back’s spot kick was expertly saved by Griffin McMaster, diving to his left to deny Werribee what would have been a massive win.

The late drama was the highlight of a match that failed to reach any real heights.

The minutes leading up to the penalty offered very little in terms of entertainment with neither side creating any meaningful opportunities on goal.

Both sides had difficulties in adapting to the dry conditions the Galvin Park pitch had to offer as passes failed to hit the desired target.

The first half was void of any real creativity and efforts on goal.

The second half wasn’t much of an improvement as again both sides struggled to string passes together.

As the game wore on it looked as though Heidelberg would be the side to make the decisive breakthrough as it dominated possession.

Knowing a loss would have almost certainly send them down to NPL 1 next year, the Bees resolutely kept Heidelberg at bay as they pushed for a winner.

With third place all but locked down and essentially nothing left in the season to play for, Heidelberg appeared to lack the motivation needed to get the better of a side who was playing for their survival.

Desperately chasing the game, Werribee pushed forward hard and were awarded a penalty with just two minutes of the match remaining.

The referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot when substitute Dom Marafioti went down in the box.

While it looked as though Werribee were destined to take the lead, McMaster had different ideas as he expertly denied Filipovic, much to the despair of the vocal home support.

After barely having any real shots on goal before the missed penalty, Werribee had a late flurry of chances at the end but couldn’t capitalise.

Werribee manager Nino Ragusa felt his side let an opportunity slip to take an important win.

“I didn’t see them make any chances to be honest. I thought we had them in check," Ragusa said.

"It’s a real fine line, if you open up they can really damage you.

"I thought we played it perfectly. Everyone was fantastic, the game was there. It was on a platter to win. The defence was been strong for the past six weeks. We have to win next week.

"On our day we’ve been able to beat anybody.”

Despite not taking the points, Heidelberg manager George Katsakis was content with the endeavour shown by his boys as the season draws to an end. 

“Leading up to the last game of the year people have taken the foot of the pedal, the intensity probably could have been better," Katsakis said.

"To get away with a draw after the late penalty and having had so much possession, we will take the point.

"Overall I think the players did well, I think they played some good football within some passages, we just couldn’t capitalise on so much possession.”

MATCH DETAILS

Werribee City 0 drew with Heidelberg United 0 at Galvin Park. [HT:0-0]

Werribee City: Tommy Dunn, Ersin Kaya, Ryan Filipovic, Evan Batsis (Dom Marafioti 78’), Simon Zappia (Bobby Vidanoski 72’), Simon Tolli, Devon Bonne, Damir Marusic, Milan Savic, Robbie Naumoski (Matt Cundari 46’), Steve Cudrig.

Unused subs: Anthony Ragusa, Liam Brian.

Yellow Cards: Namovski (28’) Cundari (66’)

Heidelberg United: Griffin McMaster, John Lazaridis, Jordan Wilkes, Luke Byles, Jakob Williams (Les Doumbalis 75’), Kosta Kanakaris, Jack Petrie, Andrew Cartanos (Harris Stamboulidis 90’), Mark McGough, Kane Sheppard (James Goulopoulos 80’), Daniel Heffernan

Unused Subs: Ryan Norval, Milos Ilic

Yellow Card: Byles (54’)

Image credit: Charlie Lombardo