Heidelberg United FC look to avenge last year’s narrow 2-1 loss to South Melbourne FC in the 2025 New Balance Dockerty Cup Final with their high-scoring attack and unbreakable backline.
They will be aiming to go one better this time around when they face Preston Lions FC in the 2026 Final.
Round 4
Malvern City 0-5 Heidelberg United
Heidelberg started their 2026 cup run out at Egan Lee Reserve against the current VPL 2 league leaders Malvern City FC.
The 2025 finalists started their campaign with a dominate five-nil win over Malvern, displaying their attacking threat with five different goal scorers. The first goal came from the spot as Anthony Lesiotis tucked away a penalty in the 30th minute to give the Bergers a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half is when the goals started flying in with three goals within nine minutes as Nicholas Duarte, Marcus Humbert, and Asahi Yokokawa all got on the scoresheet. Anthony Theo capped off the 5-goal win in the 81st minute leaving Heidelberg brimming with confidence heading into the next round.
Round 5
Yarraville Glory 0-5 Heidelberg United
Round 5 played out in similar fashion, as Heidelberg were on the road again, playing away to Yarraville Glory FC.
The match was another display of attacking football from The Bergers as they hit Yarraville for five, sealing consecutive 5-0 wins with four of their goals coming in the first half within a 13-minute period. The second half did not contain as much action as the first, four substitutions at the start for Heidelberg including goalkeeper Yaren Sozer changed things for the visitors.
The highlight of the match was undoubtedly the hat trick scored by Marcus Humbert, capped off in the 72nd minute to seal another dominate performance for Heidelberg playing away. A quieter second half compared to the first, but nonetheless another big win to take into the next round for The Bergers.
Round 6
Altona East Phoenix 0-3 Heidelberg United
The next round was yet again another away match, as Heidelberg travelled down to Paisley Park to take on State League 1 side and eventual Cecil Earley Plate finalists Altona East SC.
A tense first half saw a yellow card for Heidelberg’s Anthony Theo and a sub for Altona right before the break, yet both sides remained goalless heading into half time. Joseph Lee broke the deadlock for Heidelberg in the 56th minute before grabbing his second of the night on the hour mark.
Holding a two-goal lead, Heidelberg’s number 9 Ciaran Bramwell capped off a 3-0 win scoring in the 87th minute, fending off a brave Altona side and sending The Bergers through to seventh knockout round.
Round 7
Heidelberg United 2-2 Bentleigh Greens
Round 7 finally saw a home game for the 2025 runners up, as Heidelberg United hosted fellow NPLM side Bentleigh Greens just eleven days after their 2-2 draw in the league.
The cup match was not as close as Bentleigh would have hoped for, Nicholas Duarte opened the scoring for the home side in the 22nd minute before a Jay Mcgowan goal quickly followed to double Heidelberg’s lead and light up Olympic Village.
Bentleigh couldn’t find a way back into the game as Heidelberg’s impressive run continued, heading into the Semi Final without conceding a goal.
Semi Final
Brunswick Juventus 2-0 Heidelberg United
Heidelberg were on the road once more heading to CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner to take on Brunswick Juventus FC, their last hurdle keeping them from reaching back to back Dockerty Cup finals.
The Bergers took the lead with a goal from Bramwell in the 28th minute, his second of the tournament so far. Joseph Lee then extended the lead in stoppage time of the first half pushing all momentum in the way of the visitors.
The two first half strikes were enough for Heidelberg to beat Brunswick Juventus and book their ticket into the 2026 Dockerty Cup final, still without conceding a single goal throughout the knockout rounds.
Heading to a second consecutive Dockerty Cup final, Heidelberg will be hoping to shake off their demons of last year and bring the trophy home to Olympic Village.
2026 New Balance Dockerty Cup Final
Heidelberg United FC v Preston Lions FC
On Saturday, August 8th, Heidelberg United take on Preston Lions at Lakeside Stadium in the 2026 Dockerty Cup Final in what will surely be a tight contest between the two NPLM sides.