By Joe Rosedon 9/7/24
Above: Keely Lockhart celebrates scoring for Heidelberg United.
Heidelberg United 5 Boroondara Eagles 0
A dominant Heidelberg hammer a hapless Boroondara. Doubles from Keely Lockhart and Kathryn Vlahopoulous and a goal directly from a corner by Margot Robinne gave Heidelberg a comfortable victoy.
From the offset, Heidelberg looked threatening. Robinnewould have felt she should have done better from a cutback to the edge of the box that found her in space. Her effort however, was miscued over the bar.
Heidelberg went even closer to opening the scoring. Lockhart shot took a wicked deflection, forcing Boroondara keeper Malee Siketa into a tremendous save. The first goal for Heidelberg seemed inevitable
Indeed, it was and it was achieved in spectacular fashion. A fizzing corner from Robinne was too much for Siketa to handle, the ball slipping between her fingers and into the net.
Heidelberg’s attacking intent was relentless, causing a shaky Boroondara defence all sorts of problems.
This intent paid off again in the 41st minute when the home side doubled their lead. The goal stemmed from excellent wing play from Maddison Rakic. She was able to steal a march on her marker and drive towards the byline. Her pinpoint cross found a rising Lockhart to powerfully head home.
The beginning of the second half mirrored the beginning of the first. Heidelberg causing serious issues for a struggling Boroondara defence. The situation went from bad to worse for the visiting team. Defender Anna Liacopoulos was forced to play in goal after starting keeper Siketa was withdrawn due to injury. Heidelberg smelt blood in the water
A third goal soon came and this time Lockhart was the architect. After a ball in behind found Lockhart in acres of space on the right-hand side. The forward cut inside into the penalty area and had ample time to find the arriving Vlahopoulos at the far post who tucked the ball home.
The third goal was swiftly followed with the fourth goal for the home side. The unlikely goalkeeper Liacopoulos brought down an onrushing Sarah O’Donoghue. The referee pointed to the spot almost instantaneously. Vlahopoulos did the rest, firing to the right side of the keeper and getting her second goal of the game.
The fifth and final goal of the game rounded off an outstanding performance from both Heidelberg and Lockhart. Alana Janceviski’s inch perfect through ball set Lockhart in on goal. With ease, she rounded an unfortunate Liacopoulosand slotted home into an empty net to claim her second goal of the game.
After this outstanding display, Heidelberg next face a potentially difficult away fixture against South Melbourne.
Boroondara will hope to bounce back from this disappointing performance when they visit Calder United.
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