by Greg Blake
Every now and again a natural born goalscorer arrives without fanfare and announces himself as such by deed. Yet to turn 21 years of age, Max Bisetto was the gunslinger who put the sword to Melbourne Victory Reserves on Friday night as Heidelberg United Alexander managed its first win of the year.
It was a largely uninspired 1-0 home victory for the Warriors, but the Olympic Village faithful are already enamoured with Bisetto, who scored on debut in the defeat at Knights in round one and sealed the deal with a polished winner 20 minutes in on Friday night against Victory.
And if we didn’t know it already, Jamal Ali makes even the most sluggish contest dance into life and it was Ali’s shimmering and graceful moves dashing up through the lines which brought joy into a potentially turgid contest. Ali lit a flame under Alexander on Friday night.
Fifteen minutes in and Ali might have scored, had it not been for the heroics of the Victory keeper and Ali was again beaten by the very same player 15 minutes from the end under much the same circumstances, save for the torrential rain.
A perfectly lovely summer Friday evening and a contest very much up for grabs into the second half, was largely spoiled by a combination of torrential rain and two teams still playing as if seemingly unsure of exactly who they are early in season 2025.
Both sides produced a smattering of first half chances but it was Bisetto who stole the show with an immaculate first touch and rimfire quick shot inside the post, his finish as lethal as a gunshot.
Bisetto – who was substituted out of the game on the hour – might have bagged a hat-trick before half time as Alexander warmed to the contest and threatened to run away from Victory. But the change of ends and subsequent downpour turned the game into an ugly raffle.
We know Aidara will bring some moments, Lesiotis is silk and Sozar’s return was comforting. But on a night when success was paramount in kick-starting the season, the win offered some teasing and suggestiveness – and more new faces – but lacked anything conclusive as a guide for the road ahead for Alexander in 2025.
