South Melbourne have sent a warning to the rest of the competition with a resounding 6-0 derby victory over Heidelberg United in both clubs’ season opener on Sunday.
Nick Epifano starred with a first half hat-trick, while Milos Lujic, Matt Theodore and Iqi Jawadi also added to the scoresheet.
The clash saw South register the first attempt on target when Chris Theodoridis had to hold a header on the second attempt.
Up the other end, Nikola Roganovic was on guard to fend off Reuben Way’s left footed effort after cutting in from the right.
Just when the visitors seemed to wrestle the ascendancy with a number of set pieces, the hosts went up the other end and scored via Epifano, who pounced on a loose ball in the box after Heidelberg couldn’t clear their lines following interplay between Jawadi and Lujic.
The Bergers sought to immediately hit back, taking a couple of efforts via Harry Noon and Kaine Sheppard which ultimately didn’t trouble the scorers.
An important flashpoint came from a corner when Ellis had a shot cleared off the line from a bundled corner.
From there it was all one way traffic, with Lujic adding the team’s second after tapping in Schroen’s saved effort.
Minutes later Epifano again popped up in the box to guide a left footed effort past the outstretched arms of Theodoridis.
Matters got worse for the custodian – and Heidelberg – when he was adjudged to have taken down Matt Millar who was through on goal, and was handed his marching orders.
18-year-old Pierce Clark got game time much earlier than expected, but he was unable to deny the spot kick from Epifano to secure his hat trick.
The proceedings in the second half continued in similar fashion to the first, with Matt Theodore netting in his 150th senior VPL/NPL game.
Heidelberg did fashion a couple of opportunities, with Ellis and Jack Petrie most notably firing shots over the bar.
The game settled into a lull thereafter with the hosts happy to maintain the five-goal advantage.
With a minute go in regulation time Jawadi added the final nail in the coffin, sealing the 6-0 scoreline with a tap-in.
Kenny Athiu then had a chance to nab a consolation goal, but was denied by Roganovic from close range.
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Match Details:
South Melbourne 6 (Epifano 12’ 38’ 43’, Lujic 36’ Theodore 54’, Jawadi 89’) defeated Heidelberg United 0 at Lakeside Stadium [HT: 4-0]
South Melbourne: 1. Nikola ROGANOVIC, 2. Tim MALA, 11. Brad NORTON, 4. Michael EAGAR, 5. Luke ADAMS, 23. Matthew FOSCHINI (8. Mathew THEODORE 46’), 7. Nick EPIFANO, 99. Iqi JAWADI, 17. Marcus SCHROEN (77. Steve HATZIKOSTAS 58’), 9. Milos LUJIC (22. Andy KECOJEVIC 73’)
Unused Substitute(s): 33. Zaim ZENELLI, 3. Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS
Yellow Card(s): Epifano 70’
Red Card(s): Nil
Heidelberg United: 1. Chris THEODORIDIS, 2. Josh WILKINS (Pierce CLARK 44’), 17. Steven PACE, 13. Luke BYLES (c), 3. Les DOUMBALIS, 14. Harry NOON (6. Lewis HALL 53’), 10. Jack PETRIE, 7. Reuben WAY, 19. Sean ELLIS, 21. Andreas GOVAS (12. Kenny ATHIU 40’), 9. Kaine SHEPPARD
Unused Substutite(s): 15. Milos ILIC, 24. Emmanuel TSAKIRIS
Yellow Card(s): Ellis 70’
Red Card: Theodoridis 43’