Heidelberg United 2 - Sydney United 0

Heidelberg United 2

(Heffernan 1’, Athiu 87’)

Sydney United 0

Goals at the start and end of this entertaining encounter were enough for home side Heidelberg United to progress into the FFA Cup quarter finals 2-0 at Melbourne’s Olympic Village.

An incredible start with the fastest ever FFA Cup scored by prolific Dan Heffernan after just 26 seconds put Heidelberg in the box seat. Reuben Way’s cross directed home by the Central Coast target.

Kaine Shepherd came close for Heidelberg but things got worse for the visitors with midfielder Peter Triantis being subbed off due to injury 10 minutes before the break.

Sydney were denied early in the second 45 by Heidelberg keeper Griffin McMaster who spectacularly kept out Anthony Tomelic’s shot. He kept the home side in the game later in the half as the game opened up.

Late on Heidelberg sub Kostas Kanakaris set up Heffernan with a neat cut back but a second goal went begging with the striker screwing his effort wide.

The visitors made some late substitutions as Mark Rudan went for the all-important equaliser. But it was McMaster again who denied Matthew Bilic brilliantly.

Perfect timing as Heidelberg sub Kenny Athiu made a nuisance of himself to end Sydney United’s resistance by poking the ball over the line and send the home side into delirium.  

What a night for the Melbourne club!