by John Fotinos
It was a case of eight is enough in Heidelberg United’s win over Sunbury United in the Round 4 Dockerty / Australia Cup match.
The visiting State League team performed admirably in the first half, combining solid defensive structure with the odd foray. Heidelberg’s keeper Ryan Govas was forced to be at his best to deny Smith-Grant an equaliser to Dom Falla’s early goal for Heidelberg.
For all of the ‘Bergers dominance in possession and chances, Sunbury went to the main break only a goal down after a dogged display.
The contest was effectively over by the early part of the second half, with Kaine Sheppard teeing up Apostolopoulos & then Pin, making it 3-0. Apostolopoulos doubled his tally by smashing home the ball after a corner, before Sheppard finally got in on the act, bundling the ball in off a Sean Ellis rebound – no doubt a relieved man, having earlier found the woodwork twice & having a penalty kick saved.
Pin completed a second half hat trick, with Leo Mazis stunning strike into the top corner providing the highlight moment for the Bergers seventh goal.
Easily through to Round 5 of the Cup, Heidelberg is back home for its Round 8 NPL clash with St Albans next Friday (April 5) at 7:30pm.
Round 4 Dockerty / Australia Cup:
Heidelberg United FC 8 (Falla 11’, Apostolopoulos 49’, 72’; Pin 52’ 81’, 90+1’; Sheppard 79’, Mazis 84’) – 0 Sunbury United FC
