.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
Isaka Cernak started in lieu of the suspended Billy Celeski whilst Heart went with their 3-4-3 formation that served them well earlier in the year against Victory. Fans were still streaming in when a pulsating opening five minutes saw Archie Thompson put through one on one with Heart 'keeper Clint Bolton. Bolton's outstretched glove clipped the foot of the inform striker leaving top A-League referee Strebre Delovski no other option than to award a penalty.
Bolton was fortunately shown a yellow card when Delovski deemed the ball wasn't in Thompson's control and therefore wasn't a goal scoring opportunity. Carlos Hernandez stepped up for the spot kick which was a poor one and subsequently saved by Bolton in his 450th domestic league appearance.
The second half started off much like the first with Victory again settling the better. Diogo Ferreira should have levelled the scores when he was free on goal only to hit the ball straight at Bolton. Victory fans were out of their seats on 60 minutes when Hernandez headed home only to sit back down as he was flagged for offside.
The Football Sack's 'Player of the Year' points:
3 Fred
2 Matt Thompson
1 Archie Thomson
In a half of two halves played at frenetic pace it was the Victory who settled better and on 21 minutes Archie Thompson scored his sixth goal of the season. Victory 'keeper Anté Covic went route one and whilst the ball was misjudged by the horribly out of form Harry Kewell Thompson was waiting at the back and cleverly chipped the oncoming Bolton for the opener.
The chances kept coming for the Victory and Bolton was forced to save an Hernandez corner that was goal bound. But that's where the tide turned.
Heart began to get the better of the game and on 32 minutes an Aziz Behich pass was met by young striker Babalj who hit it straight at Ante Covic who in turn knew little about it.
Some neat Victory interplay between Kewell, Thompson and Hernandez lacked a finish and they were subsequently made to play as the ball was swept up the field by Fred. He took a quick free kick to Dugandzic who found Matt Thompson in acres of space and who able to finish nicely past Covic, leveling the scores.
Two minutes later Matt Thompson picked up his double when Broxham lost the ball in the middle of defence which left Thompson to pounce and give his own chip over the 'keeper to rival that of his namesake at the other end.
Heart could have gone into the break two goals up when they had two penalty shouts turned down and also watched on as Covic palmed away a Fred missile from outside the box.
The second half started off much like the first with Victory again settling the better. Diogo Ferreira should have levelled the scores when he was free on goal only to hit the ball straight at Bolton. Victory fans were out of their seats on 60 minutes when Hernandez headed home only to sit back down as he was flagged for offside.
This was the end of Victory's period of dominance as the Heart again came over the top, Leijer almost slicing the ball into his own net on 60' minutes. Heart fans didn't have to wait much longer for the net to ripple as Alex Terra was given all amounts of time and space to score Heart's third.
Jason Hoffman should have made it four on 78 minutes when Matthew Foschini was caught napping. Hoffman was left one on one with Covic but his first touch was too big and left enough time for Foschini to wake from his slumber and clear the ball off the line. Victory players were incensed minutes later when Terra again looked to handball inside their area, this time though his shot was wide.
Hernandez was able to drag one back in injury time for Victory with a goal from the top shelf that normally would have bought the crowd to its feet. Melbourne Heart were too good in the end whilst the Victory had too many passengers.
3 Fred
2 Matt Thompson
1 Archie Thomson