Heidelberg United 2–1 Green Gully
Olympic Village
If Heidelberg United are the yardstick of the NPL Victoria competition, then Green Gully can take genuine encouragement from the way they matched them stride for stride on Friday night.
For more than an hour at Olympic Village, the Cavaliers looked organised, composed and every bit the equal of a side that has set the benchmark over the last 12 months.
In the end, two moments inside a ten-minute spell proved decisive, but the broader performance suggested Gully’s trajectory remains pointed firmly upward.
The first half settled into a controlled rhythm. Heidelberg enjoyed their customary share of possession under John Anastasiadis, but clear chances were scarce. Green Gully were disciplined without the ball and purposeful in transition, pressing with intent and showing no hesitation in taking the game forward when opportunities arose.
Kur Kur’s early booking required careful management down the right flank, yet he remained a lively outlet. Bilal Habib was sharp across the front line, forcing turnovers and threatening to break beyond the defensive line.
Gully’s clearest opening of the first half came after winning possession high up the pitch. Habib found space inside the area with Thomas Woerndl arriving in support, but the striker elected to shoot and sent his effort wide of the target. Shortly after, Kur Kur surged past his marker and drove a dangerous cross into the box, only for Joshua Hope to be denied by the awkward height of the delivery.
At 0–0 at the break, the contest felt evenly balanced, perhaps even shading toward the visitors on chances created.
The breakthrough arrived in the 63rd minute. A well-delivered corner from debutant Diego Cuba found Jalil Regague, who rose confidently and guided his header in off the post. It was a goal that reflected preparation and execution, not fortune.
For a period after taking the lead, Gully appeared comfortable. Their defensive shape held firm and Heidelberg struggled to carve open clear pathways through the middle. However, the hosts’ changes around the 70-minute mark shifted the flow of the match.
Substitute Nicholas Duarte equalised in the 76th minute, injecting momentum into the home side. Nine minutes later, Heidelberg were awarded a penalty, and Anthony Lesiotis converted from the spot to give the hosts the advantage.
Green Gully pushed hard in the closing stages. Deep into stoppage time, Habib reacted quickest after a dangerous free kick caused chaos inside the area, turning the ball home with an incredibly athletic finish, only for the assistant’s flag to cut short celebrations.
With Cuba’s free-kick seeming to deflect off a Heidelberg defender, and irrespective of that the call being incredibly tight, Habib and Gully will feel aggrieved that the benefit of the doubt was not given to the attacker.
The final whistle confirmed a 2–1 defeat, but not a performance devoid of promise.
If Heidelberg represent the benchmark, Green Gully showed they are not far away.
The margins were narrow.
The season is only just beginning.
