By Andrew Bishara (@_andrewbishara)

Heidelberg United got back in the winners’ circle with a 4-2 win over a 10-man Ballarat Red Devils in the two sides’ catch-up fixture on Easter Monday.

The hosts took an early lead through Les Doumbalis, before Ballarat’s Shaun Romein was shown a straight red card.

Heidelberg added to its goal tally in the second half with strikes from Jack Petrie, Daniel Heffernan and Kaine Sheppard, with Ballarat’s Daniel O’Donnell and Simon Murphy getting their names on the score sheet.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Doumbalis pounced on a poor punch from Red Devils ‘keeper Aaron Romein to drill home a low strike.

The Bergers began to control the match after that and it was made easier when Shaun Romein was sent off for elbowing Peter Kratky in the face.

Heidelberg couldn’t find that elusive second goal in the first half, but didn’t have to wait long in the second period before Petrie struck.

A lovely one-two with Heffernan saw Petrie break through Ballarat’s defence before smashing in a low shot.

The Red Devils couldn’t control the onslaught and found themselves 3-0 down barely three minutes later when Heffernan drilled in a powerful ball into the bottom corner.

The striker found himself with time and space on the edge of the box, making no mistake to fire into the back of the net.

The Red Devils then pulled themselves back into the game when O’Donnell headed home from a free-kick.

The defender rose highest in the pack to smash in the goal and give the visitors some hope.

The goal sprung Heidelberg into action, but it found Red Devils ‘keeper Romein in inspiring form as he produced a string of stunning saves to deny the hosts.

Finally, the breakthrough came when Heffernan cut the ball across goal for Sheppard to smash in a low drive.

The Bergers kept pushing for that fifth goal, but it was the Red Devils who pounced late with a lovely team move.

Winger Dom Swinton danced down the flank before delivering a pinpoint cross for Murphy to tap into goal.

Heidelberg coach George Katsakis was pleased with the three points but warned that his side had to take its chances.

“Obviously I’m very happy, it’s a great result,” Katsakis said.

“But I question our fluency and continuality to punish teams and win convincingly without letting people get back in the game.

“It could have been a cricket score [but] in saying that, if it was nil-nil, and we miss all those chances and they come back and score the odd goal, you lose the game.”

Ballarat coach James Robinson said the Red Devils’ performance was not up to scratch.

“Even with 10 men you can still be effective,” Robinson said.

“But we weren’t good enough at the end of the day.

“There’s a lot of things we need to improve on because to be honest that wasn’t good enough. It’s very disappointing.”

MATCH DETAILS

Heidelberg United 4 (Les Doumbalis 13’, Jack Petrie 48’, Daniel Heffernan 51’, Kaine Sheppard 70’) defeated Ballarat Red Devils 2 (Daniel O’Donnell 65’, Simon Murphy 88’)

Heidelberg United: Griffin McMASTER [GK], Peter KRATKY, Jordan WILKES, Luke BYLES, Les DOUMBALIS, Paul MILLER (Zane SOLE 68’), Jack PETRIE, Dan VASILEVSKI (Andrew CARTANOS 51’), Kosta KANAKARIS (Stef BARICEVIC 58’), Daniel HEFFERNAN, Kaine SHEPPARD

Yellow Cards: Zane SOLE (89’)

Red Cards: Nil.

Ballarat Red Devils: Aaron ROMEIN (GK), Charlie KING, Steve THOMSON (Tristan ROMEIN 85’), Daniel O’DONNELL, Daniel FIRTH (Dom SWINTON 46’), Bolish SALVATORE, Liam HARDING (Patrick KARRAS 21’), Michael TRIGGER, Shaun ROMEIN, Simon MURPHY, Dane MILOVANOVIC

Unused Subs: Jordan FRANKEN (GK), Adrian CURTAIN

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Shaun ROMEIN (32’)

Picture: John Punshon/Goal! Weekly