Resounding victories for Healesville’s Senior Men and Women capped off a day of wins.
Healesville Senior Men 3-0 Lilydale Eagles:
In the VCFA’s match of the round, table-topping Healesville faced a Lilydale team full of confidence and form off the back of four wins in their last four outings.
Healesville sped out of the blocks and almost took the lead inside the first few minutes, but JJ was denied in a one-on-one contest with the keeper.
He would atone minutes later, turning and scoring from a Brian W corner.
Another Brian W corner soon after ended in the same result when Daniel T finished on the volley.
Healesville controlled the remainder of the half, and great work by Josh B and Johnny C resulted in JJ heading into the top corner just before the break.
In the second half Lilydale had limited chances and if not for the offside flag could have conceded more.
In the end Healesville had to settle for the three goals they scored before the restart for a convincing victory.
Healesville Senior Women 4-1 Blackburn:
Goals from Kiah, Kiera and Aemelia (two) made for a comprehensive win at Blackburn for the Healesville women.
It was great to have some of the young brigade step up from the U16s and Reds.
At one stage Healesville had six players under 16 on the pitch.
The future is bright.
Healesville U16s 4-0 Berwick:
Coming into round six, the team were beset with injury and illness.
Ryder H joined as a part-time player and held down the goals so that the U16s could field 11 players.
With grit and determination, the boys pulled together to give whatever energy they had left.
It was a seesaw for first few minutes until Aidan C continued his scoring run, slotting goals at six minutes and 14 minutes to give Healesville a lead to protect.
Some great teamwork and passing followed, including several confident plays by all four defenders.
A late goal by Hamish M took Healesville into half time 3-0 up.
The second half was more of a war of attrition as the energy drained from everyone.
Aidan C completed his hattrick at the 55th minute to secure the team’s sixth win in a row.
Growing with every game, Cooper B put in a man-of-the-match performance.
Healesville U14 Red Devils 3-1 Blackburn:
Coming off an inspirational Matildas win the night before, which most of the team attended, the Devils were inspired and started the game with great passages of play.
Sia M opened the scoring with a well-worked shot set up by intense pressure from the midfield.
A lapse in concentration from the defence saw a Blackburn throw-in bounce several times in the penalty, and failure to clear the danger zone saw the scores level.
The Devils answered almost immediately, with Sia M lobbing the keeper for her second.
In the second half the Devils only got stronger.
Superstar striker Sia M completed her well-deserved hattrick.
Olive P and Zara P showed grit, determination and brought the pressure all day.
The win sees the Devils sit second on the ladder.
Healesville U12 White Wolves 2-1 Maroondah Gold:
Maroondah struck first with a great team build-up that was finished by one of their fleet-footed attacking players, placing it inside the far post.
Playing a hybrid striker-midfield role, Zach C carved his way through the Maroondah back line.
The speed of Will B and Zach C was too much for Maroondah’s defence, and Zach C broke through for Healesville’s first goal with a wonderful strike.
Scores level, Evan K was back to his brilliant speedy best. His running left Maroondah flat footed as half time approached.
Ardi C swooped on a well-placed ball into the box to score Healesville’s second.
The second half was entertaining despite neither team registering a goal.
Maroondah was desperately seeking an equaliser, but to the Wolves’ credit they had a lot of the play left in them, causing Maroondah to miss chances that could easily have been goals.
Healesville U12 Diamonds 1-0 Bayswater:
The Diamonds had a great tussle against Bayswater. Several attempts on goal just missed the mark, but one was enough for the win.
Healesville U11 Goats 8-6 Mt Waverley:
The Goats got off to a good start with a lot of passing forward and goal chances.
Griff scored three goals before half time.
Mt Waverley started very strong in the second half, pushing Healesville back and often scoring.
Healesville found their rhythm again, with Griff scoring another two, Reggie contributing two and Ryder scoring one.
The back line did an amazing job, shutting down a lot of Mt Waverley opportunities, and Chase made some exceptional saves in goal.
Healesville U10 Falcons 7-5 Yarra Valley:
The Falcons took the game to their opponents and opened the scoring through Ethan S.
It wasn’t long before they doubled the lead, with Maverick scoring a well-worked goal.
They didn’t take the foot off the gas and were rewarded when Maverick scored his second goal of the game, soon followed by a well worked goal from Colton.
Good defending and keeping kept Yarra Valley at bay, but they finally scored just before half time.
In the second half Yarra Valley started to come back into the game and scored a few goals to make it 4-3.
Healesville started to work hard and with some great passing they scored through Grey with a great finish from outside the box.
Having a great game, Ben was rewarded with a goal to increase the lead.
Yarra Valley pulled a goal back as it went end to end, but Ethan S completed the scoring and locked in the victory for the Falcons.
Other results:
Healesville U16 Hurricanes 0-3 Berwick
Healesville Under 12 Panthers 1-9 BCSC Spirit
Goal: Ryan
Healesville U11 Ninjas 1-5 Berwick
Goal: Max
Healesville U13 Heelers 0-6 Berwick
