Heidelberg secured top spot temporarily on Friday night, prevailing 2-1 winners over Pascoe Vale at CB Smith Reserve.

A Daniel Heffernan double was enough to secure the three points for Heidelberg despite a second half goal from Paco’s Adrian Talarico.

Heidelberg opened the match with a dominant display; it opened the scoring within the first minute as Heffernan sent his volley slamming into the turf and bouncing into the right side of the net.

The early goal did wonders for Heidelberg’s confidence as they continued to control the tempo of the match.

Just on six minutes, Kaine Sheppard was played in by a delightful through ball and was put in one-on-one with Pascoe Vale custodian Alex Pavlidis.

After his initial strike was parried away by Pavlidis, his follow up attempt into an empty net somehow flew wide.

Heidelberg's dominance was rewarded with another goal as Heffernan rose above Pascoe Vale full back Jake Halliday to head the ball into the back of the net just after 13 minutes.

A one-way first half was almost capped off in style as a stunning free kick from Andreas Govas rattled the bar.

Vitale Ferrante’s words at half time certainly sparked a reaction from his men as a strike from Pascoe Vale’s Jake Nakic was palmed away into the path of Talarico who had the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net only a minute after the half.

The remainder of the match saw Heidelberg look to shut out the game and hold onto its one goal lead, inviting pressure from Paco’s strike force.

However, despite a great deal of attacking in the hope of an equaliser, Pascoe Vale failed to turn their quality build up play into goalscoring chances.

Paco’s night turned from bad to worse as key midfielder Michael Ferrante was sent off close to full time after lashing out on a Heidelberg opponent following a free kick.

Despite a few scares and flared tempers, Heidelberg held on for the 2-1 win.

 

 

Match Details

Pascoe Vale 1 (Talarico 46’) defeated by Heidelberg United 2 (Heffernan 1’, 13’) at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner

Pascoe Vale: 35. Alexander Pavlidis, 2. Adrian Talarico, 3. Nathen Megic, 9. Jake Nakic, 10. Davey Van’t Schip, 13. Mathew Lazarides, 15. Mark Pistininzi, 16. Tomislav Milardovic, 18. Tom Black, 21. Michael Ferrante, 23. Jake Halliday (7. Luca Santilli 79’)

Unused Subs: 1. Stefaan Sardelic, 17. Aaron Turner , 4. Adam Nakic

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Michael Ferrante 90+3’

 

HU: 23. Griffin McMaster (GK), 2. Jamie Cumming, 7. Reuben Way, 9. Kosta Kanakaris (24. Andrew Cartanos 78’), 10. Jack Petrie, 13. Luke Byles, 14. Dan Heffernan (12. Kenny Athiu 90+2’), 17. Steven Pace, 20. Nejc Kolman, 21. Andreas Govas(3. Les Doumbalis 78’), 22. Kaine Sheppard

Unused Subs: 1. JasonKoutsadoutis, 15. Milos Ilic

Yellow Cards: Kaine SHeppard 61’, Jack Petrie 67’, Kosta Kanakaris 68’, Nejc Kolman 90+3’

Red Cards: Nil