Report: Marconi and Heidelberg share the points
Marconi Stallions and Heidelberg United were forced to settle for a point in a high-intensity clash at Marconi Stadium on Friday night in the opening match of Round 4 of the Australian Championship.
The draw is the first time United have dropped points in the competition, having won their previous three matches.
The result leaves the pair in the top two places of Group B.
Marconi Stallions 1 - 1 Heidelberg United
The Stallions made a bright start to the match after the pre-match lightning delay, with some early pressing showing promise at The Palace.
United quickly assumed some control as they knitted together a couple of neat moves. The best of which saw Bul Juach’s first-time effort palmed away by Marconi goalkeeper James Hilton.
Marconi returned fire before the 10-minute mark as Damian Tsekenis lashed an effort from the right of the box over the bar.
Tsekenis came close again midway through the half as the attacker raced in on goal and called United goalkeeper Yaren Sozer into a sharp stop.
The tense tone of the match continued through to the break, with the deadlock still to be broken heading into the second half.
Just before the hour mark, Marko Jesic threatened for the hosts with a long-range strike that skewed wide of the left post.
The Stallions made the breakthrough 65 minutes in, profiting from a scramble following a corner. Anton Mlinaric’s volley drew a superb save from Sozer, but the ball came back into the area for Harry van der Saag to glance a looping header into the right of the goal.
The visitors took just six minutes to restore parity after a spirited response to going behind. The side worked the ball swiftly down the left wing, where Marcus Humbert rifled a first-time finish into the left of the goal.
Heidelberg almost turned the scoreline around in the 79th minute, when a free-kick popped out to Anthony Lesiotis, whose fierce volley provoked an outstanding save from Hilton.
Deep into stoppage time, Raffie Akiel has a chance to snatch the points for United, but Hilton got down quickly to his low drive from the edge of the box.
Neither team could find a winner in the remaining moments as they shared the points in a tight clash on Friday night.