Stunning goals secure Melbourne Knights, Heidelberg United wins in Australia Cup

A pair of worldies secured Heidelberg United victory, while Melbourne Knights also scored some sublime goals to progress in the Australia Cup.

Melbourne Knights and Heidelberg United enjoy Australia Cup wins

You’ll be hard-pressed to find two better goals in the Australia Cup than Kaine Sheppard and Josh Pin’s efforts on Thursday night.

A pair of worldies secured Heidelberg United’s progress to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2018 in a 3-0 win over Queensland NPL high-flyer Moreton Bay United at Wolter Park.

And Melbourne Knights made it a State of Origin double for NPL Victoria with a 4-1 victory over another Queensland club, Lions FC.

The Knights scored some stunners of their own as Gian Albano ran riot at Knights Stadium.

Tasked with travelling to the Sunshine State for the tie against Moreton Bay, Heidelberg made a blistering start thanks to Sheppard.

Moreton Bay’s Marquez Walters gives Anthony Theodoropoulos of Heidelberg United a piggyback ride.

In just the third minute of the match the former A-League striker was given too much space, 30m out from goal, and unleashed a rocket into the far corner of the net.

Pin then one-upped his teammate with an outrageous first-time strike to double the lead in the 15th minute.

Pouncing on a defensive error, the United winger hit the loose ball perfectly, curling it into the top corner from almost the exact same spot as Sheppard.

Pin also set up the Warriors’ third goal of the night, delivering a pin-point cross for Sean Ellis to head home in the 54th minute.

Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis said the club was ready to throw everything at the cup with NPL finals out of reach.

“The boys were really up for it,” he said.

“Knowing we don’t have much to play for in the league and having lost the Dockerty Cup final, it’s the only thing we’re looking forward to and they excelled.

“Kaine got us off to a quick start but the catalyst was the back-up goal, getting it so quick after, the second goal really hurt them.

Gian Albano on his way to score for Melbourne Knights.

“We just didn’t give them enough time, we were in their face, our pressure was incredible.”

Former A-League midfielder Anthony Lesiotis impressed in midfield, while Sheppard, Pin and Ellis were a constant threat.

Despite losing the possession battle, having just 39 per cent, Heidelberg outshot its Queensland rivals 14-8 and 9-2 on target.

Katsakis admitted his team had got a slice of luck but had earned it.

“Two great goals and it’s been a while since we scored in that method, we haven’t had a lot of luck,” he said.

“That was a difference, we got an ounce of luck, sometimes you take those shots and they’re parried or tipped over the bar but this time they found the back of the net.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne Knights was its attacking best to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 2016.

The Knights too scored some spectacular goals, none better than Albano’s opener in the 23rd minute.

After a defensive turnover, the star winger stormed through the heart of the Lions defence before unleashing a curling effort from outside the area.

Lions were level just 10 minutes later thanks to an Andy Pengelly tap-in but the Knights were immediately back in front thanks to Mohammed Sumaoro.

An superb cross from skipper Ivan Franjic found Sumaoro at the back post and he somehow squeezed his header between goalkeeper and near post.

Knights coach Ben Cahn said it was a pivotal moment.

“It was disappointing to concede, it was a sloppy goal on our part, so to go back up the other end and reclaim our lead was really important and I think a big moment in the game,” he said.

“The game was closer than the scoreline suggested but we definitely reduced to not much threat.

“We defended really well when we needed to and controlled the game in possession for long periods and were a constant threat.”

Cahn has plenty of history against Lions, having previously coached NPL Queensland rival Brisbane Olympic, and gone down in three grand finals and a Cup Round of 32 match.

“It was a good result, I know Lions very well and know the threat they can be,” he said.

“It was probably the one draw in there that I knew most about but also one that held some personal problems for me.

“They won the three grand finals and Round of 32 and we won two semis, so it was nice to get one back.”

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Mitch Hore won two premiership and championships with Lions before moving to Melbourne and scored against his former club in the 69th minute to seal victory.

Albano made it a double, and five goals in two games, with an 80th minute goal to finish the game in style.

Heidelberg and Melbourne Knights will have to back up in the league on Sunday against Green Gully and Dandenong Thunder respectively.

Goulburn Valley Suns lost 4-1 to NSW power APIA Leichhardt on Wednesday night, while Oakleigh Cannons faces Melbourne City on Sunday and Northcote City faces Adelaide United on Monday.