The U16 Hurricanes’ victory in a knockout tussle against Berwick was among the high points of Saturday’s game day at Don Road.
Healesville U16 Hurricanes 2–1 Berwick Blues
The sun broke through just in time for kickoff in the U16 Girls Cup knockout clash at Don Road.
Berwick enjoyed the benefit of a strong wind in the first half and managed to convert their only real opportunity, a long-range effort that found the back of the net against the run of play.
Healesville, while dominant in possession, went into half time trailing 0–1.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, the Hurricanes stepped up their intensity.
The breakthrough came when Kiah C latched onto a loose ball and calmly slotted it home to draw the teams level.
Healesville continued to press, and their patience was rewarded when a well-worked team build-up was finished expertly by Mia K to take the lead.
The final whistle blew with the score at 2–1 to the Hurricanes.
It was a great team performance, with every player contributing.
Teah V stood strong in goal, commanding her area with confidence, while Ava H provided composure and drive in midfield.
Up front, Kendi L-T was a constant threat, linking up play and keeping the Berwick defence under pressure.
The Hurricanes’ win secures their place in the semi-final against Knox.
Healesville Senior Women 1–1 Waverley City FC
Healesville controlled much of the first half, but Waverley – currently third on the ladder – remained a threat on the counterattack.
The visitors applied pressure late in the half, but the teams went into the break locked at 0–0.
The second half began with a setback for Healesville when left back Caera was forced off early with an ankle injury.
Despite kicking into the wind, Healesville began to create chances.
A sharp attacking passage saw Mia deliver a clever assist, with Tess calmly finishing to give the home side a 1–0 lead.
Waverley hit back soon after with a long clearance that caught the wind and sailed into the net – a freak goal that even Healesville’s courageous and skilful keeper Summer couldn’t prevent.
Healesville pushed hard in the final minutes, creating several chances to reclaim the lead, but Waverley’s keeper held firm under pressure.
Sarah provided strong leadership in the midfield, Ava was energetic and creative going forward, and Kiah impressed with her pace and work rate on the wing.
Tess remained a constant threat up front and took her goal well.
Every player contributed to the result, including six U16 girls who had already played earlier that morning and still stepped up confidently at senior level.
Healesville were without four regular players and their head coach due to mid-season holidays, making the performance even more impressive against a top-three opponent.
Healesville Senior Men 0–1 Dandy Casuals
At home at Don Road, it was a subdued start by the Reds, who had several early half chances but no real shots of note.
Dandy used their physical presence and worked their way into the game.
Healesville’s best chance of the half fell to Daniel T, who saw his header go just wide of the far post after great work from Peter F, while the away side hit the outside of the post with a shot from outside the box.
Early in the second half Dandy scored a header from a great cross and proceeded to park the bus.
Healesville huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow the house down.
Dandy rode their luck at times but were desperate in defence and probably deserved to hang on for the three points.
Healesville will dust themselves down and go again next week after suffering their first loss of the season.
Healesville U10 Falcons 7–1 MUFC
Away at Maroondah, the Falcons began on the front foot and were one goal to the good within seconds of kickoff, with Colton applying the finish.
They kept on the front foot and the game was playing in MUFC’s half.
Maverick scored a quick double.
Nate was next to get on the scoresheet to make it 4–0 within in the first 10 minutes.
Maverick wasn’t content with his two goals, so he scored another two before half time.
The second half started more slowly.
MUFC began to get a bit of joy and had a few efforts on goal.
Nate finished off the scoring for the Falcons to make it 7–0.
MUFC managed to score with a breakaway goal before the final whistle.
Healesville U8 White Pumas 2–0 Lilydale SC Blue
During the 2023–24 Taylor Swift world tour, psychologists described a phenomenon of ‘collective effervescence’ at the stadiums.
If you were within a 1km radius of pitch 4 at Don Road at approximately 10.05am last Saturday, chances are you would be familiar with that feeling of euphoria, as the Pumas executed a magnificent set play resulting in a goal.
Healesville applied the pressure from the outset and was unlucky not to score in the first half, with Will and James peppering the goal.
Keeper Otto was iron clad, keeping a donut on the score sheet.
Displaying fancy footwork in his debut game, Hugh deserves a special mention.
In the second half the magic happened.
A strategic switch saw Campbell placed up front.
With Will on a fast break, and the entire parental group screaming that Campbell was open, Will delivered a cross of beauty, which Campbell dispatched into the back of the net.
Chaos ensued.
Parents hugged, players hugged, rainbows appeared.
More joy resulted moments later when James put a long-range bullet into the back of the net.
There was obvious improvement from the entire team, with Fletcher, Auggie, Tom and Jim all rotating through defence and midfield and showing amazing skills.
Other results:
Healesville U12 Diamonds 0-1 Blackburn Penguins
Healesville U12 White Wolves 2-4 Knox Force
Goals: Jono H, Alex P.
Healesville U16s 4-3 Gideon’s Warriors
Goals: Kieran (2), Charlie.
