Words: Chris Doherty-Fisher & Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

FNQ FC Heat are out of the Westfield FFA Cup, battling bravely but falling 4-1 to Sydney United 58 at Sydney United Sports Centre on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Alex Smith netted a late consolation goal for the Cairns club who were ultimately outgunned by a double from former Wellington striker Mirjian Pavlovic and further goals to Anthony Tomellic and Robert Mileski.

Heat were dealt a blow prior to kick-off with former A-League midfielder Zenon Caravella ruled out of the match with illness.

The visitors found themselves on the backfoot from the outset, defending a series of corner kicks before goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak produced a pair of solid saves to deny Tomelic and Mitchell Stamatellis inside the opening ten minutes

On 14 minutes, Mileski played a through ball to Pavlovic, but his shot was blocked by last ditch defending from Josh Jennison.

Valcicak was again called into action two minutes later to deny Mileski, who nearly turned provider for Stepjan Paric on 24 minutes with a ball that just evaded the striker’s head.

Heat came more into the contest nearing the half hour – their first chance coming on 28 minutes when Jamie Carroll’s free-kick found Ethan Docherty, who saw his headed attempt blocked.

Docherty was in the action again a minute later after Carroll crossed to Smith, who in teed up the young attacker invitingly only for Docherty to scoop his shot well over.

Right fullback Jake Keslake forced a save from United goalkeeper Anthony Costa, before Heat were nearly caught off guard by Pavlovic’s audacious 40 yard lobbed attempt.

Paric set up the United attacker on 37 minutes with a neat cutback, however Pavlovic spurned the opportunity with a heavy touch.

The first half closed with Heat controversially denied claims of a handball in the United penalty area by referee Jonathon Barriero.

Heat continued their resurgence in the second half but the first chance fell to Tomelic, who saw his effort punched away for a corner.

Crios O’Hare was injected into the Heat attack at half time, and when Smith tried to find him on the 50^th minute mark, the pass was intercepted at the vital moment.

Nearing the hour, Smith released Carroll and De Nittis repeatedly down the flanks for Heat but the visitors suffered for the final delivery.

United doubled their advantage on 60 minutes when Valcicak palmed a low cross from Matthew Bilic into the path of the lurking Mileski, who turned the ball in.

Heat continued to battle however couldn’t penetrate the United defence – Carroll seeing his shot blocked, while a communication breakdown between Smith and Keslake spurned a promising cross from Jennison.

United overran Heat in the final twenty minutes with Pavlovic effectively sealing the points with a free-kick on 71 minutes to extend the host’s advantage to three goals.

Pavlovic secured his brace seven minutes later, calmy slotting home following a defensive error from Heat.

Tomic spared his Heat further blushes by missing the target in the final minutes of regulation time, before Smith snatched a consolation in stoppage time.

The former A-Leaguer’s volleyed finish finding the bottom corner and offering just reward for a battling performance for the club in their first appearance on the national stage.

Sydney United 58 (Anthony TOMELIC 14’, Robert MILESKI 60’, Mirjian PAVLOVIC 71’ 78’)
FNQ FC Heat 1 (Alex SMITH 90’)