Assistant coach Jeff Olver says Heidelberg United always embrace their chance back on the national stage after their 2-1 FFA Cup win over Charlestown City Blues on Wednesday night.
Heidelberg scored twice inside the first 13 minutes and created a host of other chances but in the end had to hold on for victory at Olympic Village against the Northern NSW NPL outfit.
FULL COVERAGE: Relive all the action from matchday two of the Round of 32
WATCH: See every goal from the four games on Wednesday night
The former NSL club is again just a win away from another quarter-final appearance in the FFA Cup, having made the last eight in 2015 and 2017.
And Olver, who was in charge of the side for the night, says the club’s proud history in Australian football is a motivator to always produce their best in this competition.
“We don’t want to talk about our yesterdays but this was a big club back in the day so for us to be back on that type of stage is exciting for the club,” Olver told Fox Sports.
“It’s exciting for the next generation and it’s really good for everyone.”
Heidelberg went ahead within 35 seconds when Charlestown defender Kevin Davison deflected winger Andrew Cartanos’s cross into his own net.
Scotsman Sean Ellis doubled the lead in the 13th minute with a header from a corner and the home side continued to carve out opportunities, with man-of-the-match Cartanos also hitting the woodwork.
They were made to pay for all their misses with seven minutes left as the Blues halved the deficit when Daniel Ott fired home from outside the box.
But Heidelberg held on to put themselves in next week’s draw for the Round of 16.
“What do they say ‘the beauty of the cup?’ Well that was Cup football,” Olver said.
“We respected them but we didn’t take our chances when we had them and it went down to the wire.”
