A strong second-half performance by northern NSW club Broadmeadow Magic wasn’t enough to prevent its 3-1 loss to Victorian club Heidelberg United at Magic Park in NSW on Wednesday night, seeing them progress through to the FFA Cup round of 16.
A late change to the Bergers’ defensive line-up meant that reserve keeper Jason Koutsodontis started the game in place of Griffin McMaster, who was asked to stand aside following his controversial tweet on Adam Goodes.
The Magic put the Bergers’ defence under pressure early in the match. But the Bergers showed no sign of being unsettled, producing instead a devastating 16-minute spell in the first half in which it scored three goals to take command of the tie.
Jack Petrie opened the scoring with a 21st minute scorcher from 25 metres. Three minutes later, Bergers’ star player Dan Heffernan set up his scoring partner Kaine Sheppard, whose left foot strike doubled the lead. Sheppard then reciprocated the favour by picking out Heffernan with a long ball. Heffernan’s first touch took him into space in the box and he finished clinically in the 37th minute.
A much more even second half produced a goal for the home team in the 70th minute to Scot Pettit. But the Bergers defence stood firm for the remainder of the match to ensure a memorable evening for the Victorians.
After the match, Heidelberg coach George Katsakis, speaking on Fox Sport, commented, ” We’re ecstatic. It’s been a long journey for us. But in the last few years we’ve rejuvenated the club. I thought our first half was amazing. Sometimes, psychololgically you take your foot off the pedal. But our boys fought hard and to play 180 minutes over three days is a credit.”
The round of 16 is scheduled for late August and early September.
