Heidelberg United will make a return to the national stage after a 5-1 demolition of Goulburn Valley Suns on Tuesday night to qualify for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.
The Victorian NPL outfit – and former NSL club – was far too strong for the lower league outfit, scoring three times in the first half before completing the job after the break.
It took just 15 minutes for Heidelberg to take control of the contest.
A precise through-ball from Ken Athin was coolly slotted home by Reuban Way to start the carnage.
A minute later and it was 2-0 with Andreas Govas rifling a powerful shot home past a helpless Phillip Petrovski in the Suns’ goal.
Heidelberg added a third before the break as Athin surged forward and finished with ease.
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The half-time break seemed to lift the Suns and Craig Carley went close twice in quick succession at the start of the second half.
Those two misses would prove costly though as Way grabbed his second, tapping into an empty net.
Mark McGouch added a fifth midway through the second half and even though Carley scored from the spot with seven minutes left, it didn’t take away from a memorable night for Heidelberg.
They now head into the draw on July 1 for their return to the national spotlight for the first time since they finished in the NSL in 1996.
For all the latest Westfield FFA Cup fixtures and results head to www.theffacup.com.au
