Green Gully 4-0 Heidelberg United: 10 man Green Gully crush Heidelberg

A 10 man Green Gully has crushed Andy Vlahos’ Heidelberg United 4-0 at Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon which gives the Warriors a poor early record of zero points from two games.

Gully took the lead into half-time through a first-half Mathew Sanders brace before two goals inside two minutes from Jason Hayne, from the spot, and a nice finish from Osagie Ederaro.

After a slow opening Heidelberg created the first chance on 9 minutes when Saso Alexovski was denied by Gully ‘keeper Rhyss Keane before Evan Christodoulu and Zois Galanopolous both had follow-up efforts blocked by the Gully defence.

The Gully defence included former Melbourne Victory defender Rodrigo Vargas who made his first appearance for the hosts since returning during the week.

Gully’s first chance came on 17 minutes when former Oakleigh Cannons’ fullback Ante Cicak crossed brilliantly for Hayne but the New Zealander was denied by a great save by Con Dimitropolous.

Gully continued to push for an opener but Hayne lost balance before Johnathan Munoz sliced his effort wide.

Soon after Galanopolous thought he opened the scoring with a tap-in after a goal mouth scramble but the Assistant Referee ruled it out for offside, a close call.

On 27 minutes Gully’s push for an opener was rewarded when Sanders slide home the opener after Dimitropolous fumbled Hamid Basma’s initial effort.

Rodrigo Vargas at Melbourne Victory:
Photo: Getty Images

Ten minutes later Sanders doubled the lead and his personal tally after turning on the edge of the box and finishing into the bottom corner.

Just before the break Sanders was looking for his hat-trick but blazed his effort wide.

Soon after Andrew Naboutt was found at the back post for the Warriors but chose the selfish option and blazed it over with a teammate free in the centre.

Early into the second-half Heidelberg were given a chance to come back into the game when Andy Vargas, brother of Rodrigo was sent off after collecting a second yellow card.

Gully were looking to finish it off on 67 minutes through Hayne but Dimitropolous saved well with his feat at the near post.

The Warriors were pushing against the ten-men to get back into the game but Keane denied Skipper Alexovski before making a fantastic save to deny Arthur Papadopolous.

Rodrigo Vargas in his previous stint at Green Gully

On 78 minutes Gully were given a golden chance to finish off the contest when second-half substitute Ederaro was fouled inside the box. Hayne stepped up and buried the penalty into the bottom corner.

On minute later Ederaro was involved again and Gully scored two inside as many minutes as the Nigerian finished past Dimitropolous which put a cherry on top.

Gully host South Melbourne next on the 14^th of April in a massive game which involves two of the likely title contenders. Whereas Heidelberg next host Richmond at Olympic Village on Easter Monday in a must win game for the Warriors as they are now zero from two.

Match Details:

Green Gully: 1. Rhyss KEANE (GK), 2. Daniel JONES, 3. Ante Cicak, 5. Rodrigo VARGAS, 7. Jeffrey FLEMING ©, 8. Jason HAYNE, 12. Mathew SANDERS (18. Joel NIKOLIC 76’), 15. Hamid BASMA (20. Osagie EDERARO 64’), 16. Mile MEDJEDOVIC, 17. Andy VARGAS, 19. Johnathan MUNOZ (11. Scott ROBSON 76’)

Unused Subs: 23. Michael O’FARRELL (GK)

Goals: Sanders (26’, 36’), Hayne (79’), Ederaro (80’)

Yellow Cards: Basma (25’), A. Vargas (32’, 57’), Jones (41’), Hayne (86’)

Red Cards: A. Vargas (57’)

Heidelberg United: 1. Con DIMITROPOLOUS (GK), 2. Arthur PAPADOPOLOUS, 3. Les DOUMBALIS, 7. Zois GALANOPOLOUS (17. Baranti PARISSOS 46’), 8. Andrew NABOUTT (9. Ahmet TURER 69’), 10. Nick TSOULIS (6. John BOUNOS 46’), 11. Evan CHRISTODOULU, 13. Mitch BISSINGER, 15. Seb PETROVIC, 18. David CARDAMONE, 20. Saso ALEXOVSKI ©

Unused Subs: 12. Nick AGYROKAKIS, 32. Andrew GIANNOS

Yellow Cards: Alexovski (2’), Bissinger (85’)