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State Leagues  

Heart start the New Year with three points

Monday, January 03, 2011

by
Melbourne Heart kicked off the New Year with three points after a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the North Queensland Fury at AAMI Park.

The win could prove to be crucial for the Heart in their bid to secure an A-League finals berth in their inaugural season. The Heart are now four points clear of seventh placed Wellington Phoenix while North Queensland’s finals hopes are all over for another season.

Despite the Hearts overall dominance throughout the match it was the Fury who had the first chance to open the scoring.

Newcastle bound striker Chris Payne perhaps needed to be more selfish in front of goal when he squandered a promising shooting position and instead tried to play in an onrushing David Williams. Heart skipper Simon Colosimo was on hand to clear the danger and leave North Queensland Coach Franz Straka frustrated.

Heart veteran Josip Skoko looked dangerous throughout the first period with an imposing midfield display. The former Socceroo showing his class when he forced North Queensland goalkeeper Julian Pasfield into a great save when his shot was travelling towards the top corner shortly before the interval.

However it was another former Socceroo that opened the scoring for The Heart in the 57th minute as John Aloisi hammered home from a Michael Marrone cross to score his fifth goal for the Melbourne club.

Aloisi had deserved his goal after working tirelessly up front all game and was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty earlier in the 22nd minute.

The Fury had numerous chances to equalise but they failed to find the target. Andre Kilian came close when he dragged his shot across goal, but perhaps the best chance fell to Gareth Edds who headed over from a corner.

The Melbourne side had their own opportunities to extend their lead with Alex Terra heading wide in his return from injury.

However the Heart sealed victory late in the match when substitute Gerald Sibon rose above the Fury defence to head home a cross from Matt Thompson to score his sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute.