By Sarah Bailey
Healesville Senior Women 3, Dynamo 2
Playing the second-last game of the season, the Healesville Senior Women’s team was vying to secure second place on the ladder. The week also marked the last away game to contend with and a mammoth trip to Kensington: the team came up with some car-pool positive mantra tunes to bump along to!
Healesville came out with every ounce of enthusiasm against top-of-the-ladder Dynamo. The away team was coached from the goals by a phenomenal Maddie Campbell, who dove and defended some incredible shots while providing inspiration and advice to the field in front of her.
Captain Sarah Cunnian scored 2 impressive goals, and Melita Campbell added to the tally with another killer attacking goal.
Standout defenders Rachel Clark and Ava Holman did not miss a beat and merit equal women-of-the-match recognition.
Taking away a phenomenal 3-2 win (only the second loss of the season for the Dynamos) means Healesville’s senior women’s team now takes second for the season. In just their second season, the team should be super-proud of the winners they are!
Healesville U9 White Knights 1, Millgrove Vikings 0
The U9 White Knights won 1-0 against the Millgrove Vikings with a late goal from Noah, the Knights’ equal-best goal scorer for the season. It was a fair but intense battle played in good spirit.
Healesville U9 Redbacks 0, Knox 3
It was a challenging game away at Knox for the U9 Redbacks. Knox are a well-structured side and although the Redbacks managed to break through their midfield several times, the Knox final two in defence were too strong.
The U9s’ best chances came from Arlo after his left-foot rocket was miraculously saved. Later, an excellent free kick from Billy failed to convert after some goal-mouth entertainment. There were plenty of solid attacking breaks, but the Redbacks didn’t get the numbers forward to have more chances on goal. Final score: 3-0 to Knox.
Ash’s puppy, clearly feeling left out on the sidelines, also made his debut today!
Healesville U10 Reds 2, Croydon Ranges U10 Reds 4
A welcome late start at home, a full play list and a longer sleep-in helped the U10 Reds get off to a good start against Croydon Ranges when the whistle blew. Isaiah scored an early goal for the Reds, but we were 2-1 down at half-time. Great plays by Louie in midfield and a goal for Ryan kept us in the game. A highlight of the match was Isla’s strong defending, with the occasional sprint into attack, which rattled the opposition boys. It was the best the Reds have played all season. Wonderful to see them having so much fun!
Healesville U10 Whites 1, Lilydale Eagles 5
The cool morning promised to bloom into a magnificent day as the U10 Whites hosted Lilydale at home at Don Road. The Eagles started the scoring early and continued to score 2 more to effect the mercy ruling within the first half.
The Whites strove to penetrate the Lilydale Eagles’ backline. The Eagles’ forwards seemed to read the Whites’ early play of a large kick from the keeper, and they positioned themselves next the centers to create a formidable wall, which ensured turnover at regular intervals.
The half-time break enabled a change of plan to exit the back half and the momentum began to build for the White wolves. Seeing the ball move with a lot more freedom, the wingers were brought into the game for Healesville, Arthur leading the surge with great support from Will. Flynn M ran a great deal in defence, providing solid clearance kicks from our defensive half. Evan as always engaged with speed and ran to generate some panic in the Lilydale Eagles forward pressure.
The biggest cheer from the home side was for Austin, who read a backline pass with precision to perfectly time his run, turn, and volley a blinder.
It was a strong performance from the Eagles, and their dominant player, No. 9, drew appreciation from all in attendance by launching a huge running bomb not too far past the halfway mark to score a goal.
The Whites will take the momentum of the second half into next week and go out to secure a victory in our final game of 2023.
Healesville U12s 0, Blackburn Servals U12s 4
After 10 minutes an excellent Blackburn team had scored three unanswered goals. Healesville shook off the cobwebs and a noticeable shift in intensity meant the remainder of the game was a fairly even contest, though Blackburn was still slightly stronger. Healesville had a few half-chances, but Blackburn would score the only other goal of the game to finish with a 4-0 win.
Healesville Seniors 1, Knox 3
The first 30 minutes saw Healesville second to the ball against a youthful Knox team, but a few big tackles saw Healesville lift for the final 15 minutes of the first half to get into the game.
The second half started as the first finished with Healesville on the front foot. Pressing high up their home pitch, Healesville started to create chances and finally got on the score sheet with a 30-yard volley from Brian Winrow with 10 minutes left. Healesville pushed for an equaliser and John Caloutas went close with a shot just over the bar. Unfortunately, with two minutes left Knox broke away to ice the game and head home with a 3-1 victory.
Healesville Reserves 1, Knox 5
Healesville’s Reserves were hosting a Knox team that had won their previous 15 games and topped the table by more than 15 points. In their last meeting Knox were 9-0 victors, so expectations for Healesville were low. But an amazing first-half performance topped off by an overhead left-foot finish by Steve ‘Soupie’ Campbell saw the game tied at 1-1 at half-time.
Another tight 10 minutes to start the second half clearly had the Knox side rattled, but a fortuitous goal was followed by another 3 for Knox as a tiring Healesville team struggled to run the game out. A huge, positive performance from Healesville’s Reserves was a sign of how much the team has improved throughout the season.
