By Sarah Bailey
Healesville Senior Women’s Reds 15:0 MUFC Sapphires
The Reds hosted the Sapphires at the sun-soaked Don Road complex. With the away team short on numbers, it was 9v9 and the Reds dominated from the first whistle.
Charlotte and Olive B scored five goals each, and single goals went to Holi May, Mia and Eloise.
Adding to the scoreboard with their first Senior goals were Sabra and Isla.
Healesville U12 Heelers 11:0 Northern Eagles
In their second home game of the season, the Heelers showed beautiful teamwork, creating abundant opportunities.
Goals were shared between Jesse, Bodie, Mack, Cooper, Ryder, Pepe and Oscar.
His arm in a cast, Jake walked to the ground to watch the whole game and gave plenty of encouragement from the sidelines.
Healesville U11 White Wolves 4:1 Blackburn Stingrays
Playing away for the first time this season, Healesville found the back of the net early through Ardi C. A contender for goal of the year, Sawyer C surged onto a loose ball and hit it with a colossal strike, clearing the Stingray defence and the keeper’s head, on the full from the halfway line! Will B scored soon afterwards.
Evan K’s ball control while dribbling at speed caused all sorts of issues for the Stingray defense.
At the break it was 3-0. A great run and dribble from a Stingray attacker got them on the board early in the second half, but Austin A stepped up to hit the net and quash any comeback.
Healesville U9 Redbacks 3:2 BCSC United
Some great team play and individual efforts saw Healesville 2-1 up at half time away against Berwick, with goals to Will and Max.
The second half was tougher as the Redbacks had no interchange players and started to run out of steam. Berwick scored to level up at 2-2.
Teddy made multiple diving saves in goal – even opposition supporters were applauding his efforts.
The Redbacks kept fighting hard and Louis made a fantastic run, only to be brought down in the penalty box, but unfortunately the referee didn’t see it.
With a minute to go Will intercepted a pass and crossed the ball to Kai, who slid in to put the ball past the keeper for the win!
Healesville U10 Goats 3:1 BCSC Thunder
The Goats displayed another winning formula with excellent structure and incredible individual skills including ball mastery and tight dribbling, wreaking havoc for the visiting side.
A powerful left-foot strike from Arlo put the Goats ahead, and goals from Reggie and Isaac soon followed. Berwick fought back, but with solid, tight defending, and excellent instinctive goalkeeping from William, the Goats finished with a win.
Healesville U15 Flames 0:3 Healesville U15 Rebels
The U15 Flames played in the white strip for the Healesville Derby against their U15 Rebels counterparts. In a game that had no fewer than eight players who would also feature in the Senior Women’s teams later that afternoon, the future of Healesville Soccer Club’s Female Football program was on display.
The game was very equal, but the Rebels finished deserving winners. Best on ground were Hana P for the Flames and Kiah C for the Rebels.
Healesville Hearts U13 Girls 3:3 Blackburn Flamingos
Perfect conditions at the Don Road complex saw Healesville take a 3-0 lead into half time against an older and more physical Blackburn North side.
Zara P scored two well-taken goals and Ruby R scored a cracker on the stroke of half time. Healesville would rue missed chances early in the second half as the Hearts’ legs got tired in the last 10 minutes and Blackburn scored three late goals. Shout out to Georgia C and Stella C, who battled hard all day and were best on ground.
Healesville Senior Men’s Reserves 0:1 Berwick Chargers
A tight game with few chances was played out at Grices Road Reserve.
A good strike by Berwick from outside the box in the first half was the only goal of the game.
Healesville had four U15s playing and all did an amazing job.
Healesville Senior Men’s Firsts 0:1 Gideon’s Warriors
Yet again Healesville were up against a more youthful team with plenty of interchanges.
A goal from a free kick for the Warriors saw them take a deserved half-time lead. Healesville’s spirited fightback in the second half almost saw them get the equaliser, but they just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Healesville U13s 1:4 KCSC Strikers
Healesville had their backs against the wall from the get-go playing at home against a much bigger Knox side. A stoic defensive performance and a wonderful strike from Tom J had Healesville leading 1-0 at half time.
A controversial penalty to Knox saw them equalise 10 minutes into the second half, and a goal with three minutes to go gave the away side the lead.
Healesville pushed to level the game but conceded another two goals in the final two minutes. Big shout outs to Mack, Dylan, Tristan and Liam.
Healesville U15s Mixed 1:5 MUFC Valour
Away against MUFC with only 10 players due to illness and injury, Healesville managed to control the majority of the first half, testing the keeper several times. It was 0-0 at half time.
The second half started the way the first ended, with Healesville in control, but after 10 minutes a strategic change from Maroondah combined with tired Healesville players saw the home team score three goals in five minutes.
After another controlled patch and several more shots, Healesville’s Pip M scored, but MUFC then put two more through. Healesville finished ahead in every stat except the scoreline.
Healesville U10s Ninjas 0:7 BCSC United
This week the U10 Ninjas played hard against a strong team from BCSC United.
Max H was solid through the midfield, Noah S produced some classy passages of play down the wings, and Jaxson and Hayden T took turns in goals, making some great saves.
