By Mark Gojszyk (@hahahamark)

Heidelberg and South Melbourne have had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a pulsating derby at Olympic Park on Sunday.

The visitors raced out of the blocks through Milos Lujic, while the hosts worked their way into the contest and equalised via Kaine Sheppard in the second half, and may be disappointed to not have gone on to win the game after controlling longer periods of the contest.

Proceedings were disrupted early by an injury to Cody Martindale, who had to be replaced by Andy Kecojevic after just eight minutes. 

The substitution had no effect on South’s flow, however, with the visitors taking the lead after Lujic smashed home a bobbling ball from the edge of the area in the 12th minute.

The striker almost had a second goal moments later, after connecting with Andy Brennan’s cross from the right, but Griffin McMaster was on hand to save from close range.

Heidelberg found its feet and mustered a few chances via Kenny Athiu from a tight angle and Andreas Govas from a deflected a free kick - though Nikola Roganovic was left largely untroubled.

Athiu then seemed to have a golden chance after a set piece bounced into the box, but the ball didn’t sit comfortably enough for him to hit cleanly. 

Heidelberg started the brightest after the break, with Athiu heading a ball down to Sheppard who was able to dribble his way into a one-on-one situation with Roganovic - a duel that the goalkeeper won.

The hosts were struggling to spring South’s offside trap - Athiu the main culprit - though Sheppard did break through on goal to find himself with just Roganovic to beat, but his effort was tipped wide by the custodian. 

South Melbourne did have a few half-chances of its own through Jawadi and Brennan, but the most telling moment came just before the 65th minute when Epifano waltzed into the box and teed up Brennan, whose point blank range effort was desperately blocked by McMaster. 

The visitors were made to rue the missed opportunity moments later, as Sheppard received the ball down the other end and expertly placed a right-footed effort past Roganovic.

Right-back Tim Mala’s 55th minute injury seemed to really hurt the visitors, with the Bergers continuing to pepper South goal’s - especially from that flank.

Rueben Way was first to be denied from an acute angle, while Govas’ long range bullet was somehow kept out by Roganovic.

South did have a chance to claw the lead back when substitute Leigh Minopoulos found Epifano on goal, but McMaster was able to fend the ball away.

Heidelberg’s final chance to steal the game started with Les Doumbalis’ long throw into the box, which was partially cleared and landed at Sheppard’s feet, but his shot was desperately blocked by a lunging Michael Eagar.

Home fans’ hearts were in their mouths when Epifano was released on the counter, but Heidelberg defenders recovered to stop him in his tracks just before the final whistle.

Match Details

Heidelberg United 1 (Sheppard 65’) drew with South Melbourne 1 (Lujic 12’) at Olympic Park

Heidelberg United: 23. Griff MCMASTER, 2. Jamie CUMMINGS, 13. Luke BYLES, 17. Steve PACE, 9. Kostas KANAKARIS (3. Les DOUMBALIS 60’), 10. Jack PETRIE, 5. Daniel VASILEVSKI (8. John VOULGARIS 60’), 7. Reuben WAY, 21. Andreas GOVAS, 22. Kaine SHEPPARD, 12. Kenny ATHIU (24. Andrew CARTANOS 75’)

Unused substitutes: 1. Christopher MAYNARD, 20. Nejc KOLEMAN

Yellow cards: Petrie 38’, Voulgaris 80’

Red Cards: None

South Melbourne: 1. Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2. Tim MALA  (6. Bonel OBRADOVIC 55’), 4. Michael EAGAR, 5. Luke ADAMS,  7. Nick EPIFANO, 8. Matthew THEODORE, 9. Milos LUJIC, 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqbal JAWADI, 15. Cody MARTINDALE (23. Andy KECOJEVIC 8’), 17. Andy BRENNAN (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 72’)

Unused Subs: 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 10. David STIRTON 

Yellow Cards: Norton 41’, Theodore 83

Red Cards: None