The first of two meetings in four days between Heidelberg United & Altona Magic ended in a stalemate at the Olympic Village. Heidelberg left it to late on to grab a share of the points, with substitute Eoin Ashton’s equaliser stretching the unbeaten start to 14 NPL games, and 16 overall, into the 2024 season.
The two sides are set to resume hostilities with midweek Dockerty / Australia Cup Round 6 clash at Paisley Park – where Heidelberg took all three points in the NPL season opener courtesy of Asahi Yokokawa’s winner.
In the game on Sunday, Altona took an early lead against the run of play, by way of a 15th minute counter attack that was finished by in-form striker Bul Juach.
For all its industry in possession, the ‘Bergers were finding it difficult to break down the dogged Magic defensive lines, and when they did, it was either the woodwork or Christian Rossi on hand to repel several shots on target.
With under ten minutes remaining, coach John Anastasiadis’ substitutions paid off, with Ashton on the end of an incisive move to power home & breach the Magic rearguard action. Kaine Sheppard thought he’d headed home a hard earnt winner moments before the regulation 90 minutes were up, but was harshly judged to have fouled Christian Rossi in the process.
Despite extending its unbeaten run, Heidelberg remains fourth on the table – and a return battle for a possible spot in Round 7 of the Cup competition. Centre half Ajdin Fetahagic, missing through suspension, is likely to be one of a few changes to the team to face Altona in the return bout on Wednesday night.
Match details:
Heidelberg United 1 (Ashton 83’) – 1 Altona Magic 1 (Buach 15’)
Under 23 Result: Heidelberg United 4 – 5 Altona Magic
