The season so far has been one of frustration for the clubs at the bottom of the WPL, in particular Heidelberg United. Placing fourth last season, this year has proved to be a much sterner test following the loss of significant players over the summer.
Going into the weekend just past, the matchup with Preston Lions made it a crucial contest for both sides. The home team needed a win to build on their impressive showing the week before against Ashburton, and to gain ground on the mid-table pack.
Preston meanwhile have had a tough season to date and a win would put them level on points at least with Heidelberg, pulling away from the bottom two. They also came into the game on a high having defeated cellar dwellers Altona City the week before.
The match started rather end to end, with gaps everywhere as the teams tried to settle down. When the game did settle into a pattern, it was clear Heidelberg was trying to force the issue, while Preston were sitting back and waiting for a counter attacking opportunity.
One of the main issues with Heidelberg this season has been that they haven’t gelled together on the pitch that well, especially with new signings coming in late. But they finally did start to look as if they were on the same page.
Missing Michelle Verzi at the back again, Renee Zairis and Penny Bakopoulos filled in as a centre back pairing and provided a good dynamic to the side as they attacked, with Bakopoulos in particular looking dangerous occasionally venturing forward. Meanwhile, Demi Kallianis looked threatening on the right flank, feeding the ball to Leigh Gray up front.
A lack of clear cut opportunities became the theme of the first half, and Heidelberg were just missing that spark to set them off. The form of Preston keeper Alexandra Bogdanovski also didn’t help them, as any threat was dealt with.
All the action occurred in the second half. While the run of play remained much the same, Preston were beginning to look more dangerous on the counter.
The turning point of the match then came on the 65th minute when Shamoah Hurley saw a gilt edged chance go an inch over the bar, with Kehley Bitzas beaten. Preston were so close to grabbing a big lead.
Heidelberg then switched on, went down the other end and won a corner. Preston cleared the cross, only to find Bakopoulos waiting on the edge of the box, where she came up with a moment of brilliance that would become a theme for the remainder of the match.
The goal provided some impetus for Heidelberg, and they grew into the game as Preston started to open up. Six minutes later, Erin Brennan, who had been in Heidelberg’s engine room, laid on a perfect through ball for Leigh Gray that split Preston’s defensive block, of which the American striker lashed home from an angle past the hapless Bogdanovski in goal.
The wave of momentum Heidelberg were now riding on was simply too great for Preston to handle. Having defended stoutly all game, a couple moments of quality had punished them for not taking their chance.
And the Bergers went on to score four more, quality strikes. Kyrgios unleashed a piledriver into the bottom right corner for the third, Nicolaci with a superb volley from a Gray flick on for the fourth, Panella’s well placed effort for the fifth and Erin Brennan rounding off a superb 23 minutes for Heidelberg with a wonderful volley on the turn when her back was to goal.
Such moments of quality are what is needed to crack tight games, and it was ultimately what cost Preston as well on the day.
This display from Heidelberg showed that they are perhaps in a false position and that their ability is starting to show through. The result against Ashburton was a shock to many, with the convincing scoreline against an in-form side. This result against Preston just showed why when the match just needs a bit of quality, they can deliver.
Head coach John Kyrgios said after the loss to Bundoora that results were on their way, and a few weeks on, his side really do look like a side that really shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The progression of this Heidelberg side is certainly heading in the right direction, and they look to have found a formula that works for them.
With three of the next four matches for Heidelberg against teams outside the top four, it really is a chance for them to show just what they really are about