By AHMED YUSSUF (@AhmedYussuf10)

Hume City has claimed a late point against table-topping Heidelberg United on a windy Saturday night at ABD Stadium.

An early own goal gave Heidelberg the lead, but a late Nick Hegarty penalty stole the three points off of Heidelberg.

Heidelberg United opened the scoring within five minutes of the kick off. The Bergers’ looked threatening early, but didn’t expect to find the net in the fashion they did.

Full back Jamie Cumming found space out wide to swing a ball into the danger area. Hume defender Matt Hennessy sought to clear but his flailing leg ushered the ball into the back of the net.

Hume looked to find the ascendency quickly after falling behind.

Winger Jai Ingham tried to assert himself on proceedings, shooting from outside the penalty area, but narrowly missing the target.

Captain Nick Hegarty looked to get in on the action when he stormed down the left side. He saw the late run of Sam Beninato but wasn’t able to find the youngster.

While Hume searched for an equaliser, defender Shaun Timmins took it on himself to find a breakthrough.

Timmins slalomed past a number of Heidelberg defenders to find room on the byline. The cross was parried away by Heidelberg goalkeeper Griffin McMaster but the deflection found Hegarty who blasted over the bar.

Heidelberg couldn’t respond to Hume’s first half pressure. The only effort threatening Chris Oldfield was Andreas Govas’ shot from distance.

The mood changed after the break, as Heidelberg began to make way. It started through set piece from Rueben Way who forced a palm stinging save out of Hume’s number one.

Kenny Athiu would later surge forward to get to a loose ball first. The attacker slid in a lovely ball into the path of Way. The Bergers’ number seven elected to delay shot losing the opportunity on goal.

Heidelberg continued to worry Hume’s defensive third. As they put Oldfield into action, forcing the keeper to pull off a superhuman effort to deny Sheppard’s shot on goal and tip it over the crossbar.

Ingham began to run at the Bergers’ defence, and was fouled inside the area.

Appeals for the penalty were loud and answered by the referee.

Captain Hegarty stepped up to the plate and dispatched the penalty with ease to equalise for Hume.

 

Match details                                           

 

Hume City 1 (Hegarty 70’) draw against Heidelberg United 1 (Hennessy (o.g) 4’) at ABD Stadium, Broadmeadows Valley Park

Hume City: 1. Chris Oldfield, 13. Shane Rexhepi, 16. Matt Hennessy, 5. Petar Franjic, 3. Shaun Timmins, 10. Joseph Franjic, 39. Nick Hegarty, 7. Jai Ingham, 4. Isyan Erdogan, 17. Marcus Schroen, 19. Sam Beninato (9. Deang Aguek 85’)

Unused Subs: 2. Dean Tomeski, 20. Tom Banfield, 14. Aaron Turner

Yellow card(s): 7. Jai Ingham 45+1’, 4. Isyan Erdogan 65’

Red card(s): None

 

Heidelberg United: 23. Griffin McMaster, 2. Jamie Cumming, 11. Jacob Williams, 13. Luke Byles, 9. Kosta Kanakaris, 7. Reuben Way, 21. Andreas Govas (23. Andrew Cartanos 90+1’), 20.Nejc Kolman (3. Les Doumbalis 75’), 22. Kaine Sheppard, 17. Steven Pace, 12. Kenny Athiu (5. Daniel Vasilevski 90+4’)

Unused substitutes: 1. Christopher Maynard

Yellow card(s): 13. Luke Byles 31’, 11. Jacob Williams 55’, 20.Nejc Kolman 65’

Red card(s): None