By Matthew Conversano 

Photo: Graeme Furlong

Melbourne Knights prevailed a 2-1 winner on Sunday afternoon as the side defeated Heidelberg United in a tight contest at Knights Stadium.

A second half full of goalmouth action saw goals from Stipo Andrijasevic, Dan Heffernan and Marijan Cvitkovic as Knights hit the lead twice with before securing the win.

The opening quarter of the match saw very little in terms of goalmouth action as both teams looked to implement their respective styles of football on the match.

The first chance of the half arrived on 20 minutes when a Les Doumbalis cross found Kaine Sheppard, who took the ball down with his chest and with a sweeping volley sent the ball just wide of the right post.

After a period of end-to-end football, the half culminated in a one-on-one opportunity for Heidelberg as Dan Heffernan was put clean through on goal but his strike was saved well by the right leg of Knights custodian Chris May. 

The second half in comparison to the first was a much more open and attacking display.

A goal mouth scramble 10 minutes after the restart fell to Reuben Way who had his shot on goal cleared off the line. 

Heidelberg had another chance on goal in the 62nd minute as a ripping long-range effort from Doumbalis was frantically tipped over the bar by May.

Despite the frequent attacks from Heidelberg, it was the Knights who took the lead as a brilliant run from Andrijasevic culminated with him cutting onto his right foot, and striking the ball through the 'keeper’s legs and into the back of the net. 

Not to be out done, Heidelberg’s equaliser came all but five minutes later as a pin-point cross from Johnny Lazaridis found Heffernan who found the net with his knee.

Despite a hotly contested second half, the final blow came from Melbourne Knights, as substitute Cvitkovic’s strike from 20 yards flew under the body of McMaster and into the bottom right corner - cue a huge roar from the Knights faithful. 

The result moves Knights five points clear in fourth spot as they drive home toward finals football.

Match Details

Melbourne Knights 2 (Andrijasevic 66’, Cvitkovic 75’) defeated Heidelberg United 1 (Heffernan 70’) at Knights Stadium [HT: 0-0]

Heidelberg United: 23. Griffin McMaster (GK), 3. Leslie Doumbalis, 7. Reuben Way (24. Andrew Cartanos 83’), 2. Jamie Cummins, 15. Milos Ilic, 10. Jack Petrie, 13. Luke Byles, 14. Dan Heffernan, 17. Steven Pace, 20. Nejc Kolman (12. Ken Athiu 75’), 5. Daniel Vasilevski  (4. Johnny Lazaridis 46’), 22. Kaine Sheppard

Unused Subs: 1. Jason Koutsadoutis, 21. Andreas Govas

Yellow Cards: Kolman 57’

Red Cards: Nil

Melbourne Knights: 1. Chris May (GK), 12. Ivan Grgic, 6. Tomislav Uskok, 5. Milan Batur, 18. Josh Brekalo (7. Chris Talajic 67’), 4. Ben Surey, 15. Alex Dao,  8. James McGarry, 17. Robbie Zadworny (2. Luke Jurcic 84’), 21. Stipo Andrijasevic, 14. Luis Covarrubias (10. Marijan Cvitkovic 59’)

Unused Subs:  25. Michael O’Farrell, 11. Anthony Colosimo

Yellow Cards: Zadworny 55’, McGarry 68’

Red Cards: Nil