It was laundry day for Healesville’s juniors on Saturday 24 May, with four teams finishing their games with clean sheets.
Healesville U12 Girls Reds 2-0 Blackburn
From the first whistle the Reds had control of the game.
Emmie and Chloe up front made some great runs forward to create opportunities.
Ava, filling in from the U14s, opened the scoring with a fantastic turn and strike of the ball.
More pressure from the Reds in the second half saw us continue to control the game.
Charlotte broke free from three defenders to pass the ball to Macey, who converted the effort into the Reds’ second goal.
Blackburn had a couple of quick breaks, but the Healesville defence held together for the win.
Healesville U11 Ninjas 7-0 Waverley City SC
A one-sided game against an undersized Waverley team saw the Ninjas take the lead early.
Max, Leroy and Leo caused problems for the other team’s defence and kept pressing high, resulting in four goals before half time.
The backline with Kaspar, Jackson and captain Hayden cleared whatever came their way.
Keeper Levi did a flawless job in the first half and was replaced in the second half by Jaxson, who also kept a clean sheet.
After half-time break the mercy rule hampered the Ninjas’ efforts.
Nonetheless they scored more goals, including a beautiful strike from Ollie that found the back of the net.
Healesville U16 Hurricanes 7-0 MBSC Phoenix
Away in Mt Evelyn this week, the Hurricanes faced a challenge as they were missing several team members and started the game one player down.
Evie T broke through the lines to open the scoring, igniting a spark in the visitors.
After Sophia B scored twice, Healesville went into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Reinforcements from the U14s in the second half had immediate impact as Olive P slammed home the fourth goal.
The pressure continued to mount on Mooroolbark as the undermanned Hurricanes showed no signs of slowing down.
Kendi T-L hit the target twice, and Mia K capped off the scorers list with a well-taken opportunity after chasing down a Mooroolbark goal kick.
The Hurricanes’ victory places them equal top of the table.
Healesville U16s 5-0 Blackburn
With Blackburn swarming forward, the first half was a gritty fight that saw the scoreline nil-all at the break.
The second half brought the first goal, by Pip M, and after this Healesville lifted.
Another forward run proved fruitful as Charlie J scored his first for the club.
After a handball penalty, first-year player Harry L stepped up and slotted it in. After this the forward movement kept coming, with Pip M scoring a brilliant header from a corner and
Aidan C scoring the team’s fifth.
Also impressive was the defensive group led by Cooper B and Griffin H, who kept Blackburn scoreless after they had scored eight goals in the previous week’s game.
The win keeps the Reds on top on the ladder. Thanks to Manny W for again filling in as keeper.
Healesville U14 Red Devils 4-1 Blackburn Green
Looking to bounce back after their first defeat of the season last week, the Devils came out firing in the first half.
Eloise W continued her great run of form with a brace, the ever-reliable Sia M scored a cracker and Jade D kept a cool head to convert from the penalty spot to see the Devils 4-0 up within the first 25 minutes.
A lapse of concentration by the Healesville defence on the stroke of time saw Blackburn pull one back.
The second half saw the domination of possession and shots on goal by Healesville, but unfortunately none of the girls could convert.
Ruby R and Jade D were solid in defence, and Ava H was involved in every attack.
Healesville Men 1-1 Monbulk Rangers
A slow start by Healesville led to a Monbulk goal inside 10 minutes. Few chances were created for either team for the remainder of the half.
The Reds stepped up a gear after the break, and a quick free kick from Brian W was controlled and finished in style by Ben M midway through the half.
Both sides pushed for a winner, and a hectic final 15 minutes saw Healesville have a goal disallowed for offside, chances go inches wide of the post and a great save by the Monbulk keeper. Stu P in the Reds goal also made a vital stop.
The match stayed at 1-1, and Healesville, while remaining unbeaten, dropped their first points of the season.
Healesville Men’s Reserves 1-1 Monbulk
A tough first half against the wind saw Healesville parked in their defensive half soaking up the pressure.
The second half came, and Healesville camped in their attacking half but were unable to convert any chances.
A crazy last five minutes saw Monbulk concede a goal to a keeper error, only for Healesville to concede in return 90 seconds later.
It was a standout performance by Josh B in the centre of midfield, and Steve made some unbelievable saves to keep Healesville in the game.
Healesville U8 White Pumas 2-2 Northern Eagles
Much like the miracle on ice at Lake Placid in 1980, today’s match will be remembered as a triumph (draw) against all odds.
With a vocal crowd behind them, the Eagles were quickly up 2-0. To their credit, the Pumas dug deep.
Inspired by spectacular saves in goal from William, Healesville responded just prior to half time with their first.
After half time, sheer will drew the Pumas level.
From that moment each team was looking for their chance to be the hero.
A draw was a fitting result.
Other results:
Healesville Senior Women 2-2 Bayswater
Goals: Tess 1, Ava 1
Healesville U10 Falcons 3-4 Mooroolbark
Goals: Colton 2, Conor 1
Healesville U12 White Wolves 3-9 Rising Tekkers
Goals: Jono H, Will B, Robbie K
Healesville U12 Panthers 0-5 BCSC Thunder
Healesville U12 Diamonds 0-7 Narre Warren Falcons
