OAKLEIGH CANNONS 0

HEIDELBERG UTD 0

THE Oakleigh Cannons struggled to win at home in the Foxtel Cup last season, and 2008 has started off little better.

The Cannons toughed out a 0-0 draw with Heidelberg at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night in wintry conditions.

Swirling rain and fickle winds made quality soccer difficult, but there was still enough on view to keep the 2500 fans happy. Stuart Munro's youthful new-look Cannons created enough chances in an exciting second half to have won and can count themselves unlucky.

They made their run after weathering a first-half Heidelberg barrage as the visitors made good use of the favourable wind.

Cannons' keeper Adrian Cagalj was called upon regularly as the visitors pumped the ball forward, trying to catch the Cannons' defence unaware.

But the second half was a different story, especially after Munro brought in Trent Waterson (46th minute), Milos Lujic (69) and Igor Khrapko (81) to replace Stuart Kelly, Juan Nilo and Taxiarhis Apostolikas respectively.

Apostolikas was especially unfortunate in the last minutes when a header shaved the crossbar as the Cannons swung crosses in. The draw leaves Oakleigh with two points from its first games, after drawing with Frankston in round one.

Richmond and the AIS are the early ladder leaders after Richmond defeated Green Gully 2-0 and the AIS came off best 3-2 against Frankston.

Next Saturday the Cannons face a tough encounter against Coburg at Knights Stadium, Somers Street, Sunshine North (6pm kick-off).