Picture: Matt Johnson

by Daniel Campos
@francisfields

Steven Pace netted a hat-trick as Heidelberg United ended the PS4 NPL Victoria league season with a 5-2 win against Dandenon Thunder.

On a relatively warm Sunday afternoon at Olympic Village play began more settled than usual with the Bergers in possession.

With attacking intentions starting from Steven Pace at the back, it was only after twelve minutes that right back Johnny Lazaridis with an audacious long range shot that could have troubled Zaim Zeneli in the Thunder goalposts going wide.

Minutes later Daniel Heffernan got his chance, swinging wide.

Zeneli was brought to action and responded in brilliant form on the twenty minute mark coming off his line and in good stance to deny Heffernan which was the first clear opportunity for the hosts.

Dandenong Thunder seemed to look content with letting Heidelberg take command of possession and not until Steven Pace got his first goal of the afternoon to delight the home crowd for the opener.

Kaine Sheppard then got his shot on the post after good control to bring the ball down. The players and spectators were left stunned and baffled how that chance did not go in.
Just before half-time against the run of play, Thunder got their equaliser with Jarod Blackburn slotting the ball with relative ease much to Griffin McMaster's disappointment with his defence.

After the break it was a positive reappearance for the Bergers and Pace got the second for the hosts with an easy touch to put his side in front again.
Just on the hour mark Zeneli performed a beautiful outstretched save to deny Andrew Cartanos who blitzed on the left hand side.

Little did anyone imagine that moments later Steven Pace was to make his mark in true fashion with a hat-trick.

With all the creative chances coming in from midfield, Heidelberg could well have accredited a further extension to their lead.

Kenny Athiu for instance could not have had a better chance on 68 minutes, unmarked and on the edge of the 18-yard area with his long range effort going a whisker over the bar. Power or placement, his quick decision to opt for placement looked to be the goal of the afternoon. His persistance paid off with a goal on 63 minutes.

Heidelberg continued press Thunder's backline and with Heffernan leading. Kaine Sheppard could have got his name on the scoresheet too with ten minutes remaining on the clock but tripped on the ball. His good positioning in the front third had him always present and lurking.

Substitute Andreas Govas put Heidelberg further in front with their fifth when he lift his head up with over 30 metres to celebrate a stunning, precise long range goal.

Minutes later Dandenong scored their second after a scramble in the box saw Brodie Paterson put away Thunder's second and reduce the deficit. A goal mouth scramble by McMaster and his defence left Thunder still hungry and Paterson put it away.

The visitors despite their unfavourable score line kept trying. Heidelberg on the other hand could be forgiven for having minds also on their midweek commitment in the FFA Cup.

Match Details:

Heidelberg United 5 (Steven Pace 32', 53', 58', Kenny Athiu 63', Andreas Govas 78') defeated Dandenong Thunder 2 (Jarod Blackburn 42', Brodie Paterson 81')

Heidelberg United: 23. Griffin MCMASTER, 3. Les DOUMBALIS, 4. John LAZARIDIS 13. Luke BYLES, 17. Steven PACE (2. Jamie CUMMING 67'), 5. Dan VASILEVSKI, 9. Kosta KANAKARIS (11. Mark McGOUGH 65'), 24. Andrew CARTANOS, 22. Kaine SHEPPARD, 12. Kenny ATHIU (21. Andreas GOVAS 75'), 14. Daniel HEFFERNAN
Unused Subs: 1. Jason KOUTSODONTIS,
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:

Dandenong Thunder: 1. Zaim ZENELI, 3. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 24. Viktor MUJEDINOVSKI, 17. Fitim IBRAIMI (14. Alpay SUAT 55'), 12. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI, 18. Lewis FOSTER, 11. Timmy PURCELL (22. Muhamed FEZOLLARI 55'), 10. Feston AZIZI, 27. Brodie PATTERSON, 7 Jarod BLACKBURN , 23. Isiah JOSEPH
Unused Subs: 6. Luke ELLUL, 19. Braydon HAWKINS, 26. Nicholas VOULOUMANOS
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None