Heidelberg United wins fifth game in a row to march into Australia Cup quarter-finals

Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis believes his club is finding the “old Heidelberg” after dismantling Mt Druitt Town to earn a fourth Australia Cup quarter-final berth.

Eoin Ashton and Kaine Sheppard celebrate a goal. Picture: Jason McCawley

For the fourth time in eight seasons, Heidelberg United is into the Australia Cup quarter-finals.

The Warriors red-hot late-season form continued on Wednesday night with a commanding 3-0 win over NPL NSW outfit Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park in Sydney.

Star striker Kaine Sheppard gave the visitors the perfect start when he headed home from an inch-perfect Sean Ellis free kick in the fifth minute of the match.

Eoin Ashton doubled the lead in the shadows of half-time, tucking away a rebound after Sheppard had hit the post and Aamir Abdullah capped off the performance with a 91st minute cherry on top.

Since losing the Dockerty Cup final, United has released the shackles and won five games in a row.

Heidelberg United celebrates its Australia Cup victory over Mt Druitt Town. Picture: Jason McCawley

Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis leads the celebrations. Picture: Jason McCawley

In the past month it’s beaten NPL Victoria finalists Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne and claimed interstate wins over Moreton Bay United and now Mt Druitt in the Cup.

Coach George Katsakis felt the team had found something of the “old Heidelberg”.

“It’s exciting, we probably weren’t our best but got off to a good start with an early goal, which set the tempo for us.

“It’s good to see some character from the boys, not wanting to concede, it’s two Cup games now that we haven’t conceded.

“The (interstate travel) has brought the group together, created a new mentality and we’re starting to show some signs of the old Heidelberg.

“We set ourselves some targets once we knew the (league) finals were over and done with - the Dockerty Cup final and progressing as far as we can in this comp.”

Sheppard had a hand in all three goals.

Firstly, beating his defender to head home Ellis’ wicked free kick.

Heidelberg United teammates congratulate Kaine Sheppard after his goal. Picture: Jason McCawley

Mt Druitt’s Jackson Bandiera tries to escape from Sean Ellis of Heidelberg United. Picture: Jason McCawley

He was denied a brace by a finger tip save by Mt Druitt Town keeper Dylan Niski, deflecting the ball onto the post but fortunately for Heidelberg Ashton was front and centre for the tap-in.

The midfielder then turned saviour with a point-blank goalline clearance to keep the Rangers off the board.

Sheppard also provided the assist for Abdullah to fire home United’s third of the night to round off a man-of-the-match performance.

“He got in a good position for the first one, great execution on the free kick from Sean Ellis,” Katsakis said.

“Kaino got on the end of a through ball from Anthony Theo, hit the post and on the rebound Eoin made sure.

“We spoke about it before the game, the weather was horrendous, and I said to the boys make sure you’re following up because it could be parried or off the post and there we are.”

Heidelberg United has been drawn against NPL Victoria rival Melbourne Knights in the quarter-finals, with the match to be played at Knights Stadium on a night to be confirmed.

The Warriors knocked off the Knights in the final round of the home-and-away season, winning 3-2 at Olympic Village behind a Sheppard double.

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Katsakis is confident his team can repeat the dose.

“The draw has been good, I think Melbourne Knights is a good draw for us, and it gives us an opportunity to play in a semi-final for the club,” he said.

“Sydney United played in a grand final, that’s something we aspire to.”

On Tuesday night, Knights defeated South Australian club Campbelltown City 2-0 to progress to the quarters for the first time.