Firsts close in on title, Senior Women make it six in a row and U16s angle for season runners-up in weekend thrillers.
Healesville Men’s Firsts 3–1 Lilydale Eagles
At the lower end of the ladder and having suffered a 3–1 loss in the reverse fixture, Lilydale had a point to prove and thoughts of putting a dent in Healesville’s title hopes, but the Reds were head and shoulders above on the day.
The only problem was finishing its chances.
An early goal, disallowed for offside, was followed by JJ finding the net with a great run and finish from outside the box.
From there chances were missed at regular intervals and at 1–0 Lilydale were still in the contest.
In the second half a stroke of luck fell Healesville’s way when the ball cannoned off David M’s knee from a Brian W corner and ended up in the back of the net with 15 minutes remaining.
At that point the game should have been finished, but a goalkeeping error gave Lilydale a lifeline with five minutes to go.
JJ scored his second of the day with two minutes left to cement the three points.
Healesville Senior Women 4–0 Blackburn
Ava started the scoring straight from a corner, and Tess kept her form up with a well-battled one-v-one with the keeper.
Kiera got on the end of a great through ball to score the team’s third.
Courtney C played a fantastic role in tying the defence with the forwards.
The second half continued in the same vein, with the young guns working extremely hard.
Olive BL was solid in defence and Olive B (Betty) scored the goal of the game, running off the shoulder of a defender and striking the ball ferociously into the net from just inside the box.
The win secured the team’s sixth straight victory.
Healesville U16s 3–2 Maroondah United
Having only ever beaten Maroondah once in all their meetings, Healesville was hungry for the win.
Early pressure was the plan, and it was an arm wrestle from the first whistle.
Pip M broke the deadlock with a nice finish that went through the keeper’s legs, but Maroondah struck back to make it square at the break.
In the second half some great runs from both forwards put the pressure on, but Maroondah also broke through and forced Ryder H to make some fantastic saves in goal.
Maroondah eventually put one in to take the lead.
Continuing his great form, Aidan C slotted one under the keeper to bring it back level.
A few minutes later Pip M finished off a corner kick with a great header through the keeper’s legs for his second and the lead.
Charlie J got away and scored a great goal, but it was ruled offside.
With moments to go, a free kick on halfway was taken by Pip M, and the whistle blew as the ball hit the ground.
Next week’s game against Blackburn, who sit equal on points, will decide second place for 2025.
Healesville U16 Hurricanes 3–0 Knox Force
Kendi LT opened the scoring with a composed finish in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Eloise S was excellent in midfield, creating chances with her passing, while Hana P was reliable in the left-back role.
Teah V made smart saves in goal and used her distribution to set up attacks.
In the second half, Kendi added her second goal and looked dangerous throughout.
Evie T was a constant threat down the left wing, putting the Knox defence under pressure.
Mia K worked her way into the game and was rewarded with a terrific solo goal.
At the back, Harper dW and Maggie H were composed and steady, helping the team keep a clean sheet.
Healesville U11 Ninjas 6–2 Knox Pride
A changed game plan paid off for the Ninjas, with Percy scoring his first of the season.
Felix and Kaspar had good touches too and Leroy’s pressure on the Knox defenders led to the second goal of the game.
Hayden, Jaxson and Leroy stopped many attacks, and keeper Max kept a clean sheet in the first half.
Ollie added another goal before the half-time whistle.
In the second half Noah, Jacob and Max dominated the midfield, with Noah and Jacob scoring three more between them.
Healesville U10 Red Storm 1–0 Northern Eagles
Red Storm played one of their best games this season against the Northern Eagles.
Having lost 5–2 to the Eagles earlier in the year, the team were ready to go their hardest and delivered the victory.
Healesville U8 White Pumas 2–0 Lilydale
‘The inches we need are everywhere around us. They’re in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch’ – the immortal words of Coach D’Amato (Al Pacino) in cult American football classic Any Given Sunday were never truer than in the efforts of the White Pumas at Don Road last Saturday.
During the first half it appeared the inches were against them. Shots from Will, James and Otto fell agonisingly close.
Jessie and Fletcher formed a wall in defence.
In his first outing in goal, Hugh attacked the position with his usual futsal-hybrid flair.
Auggie, Jim and Campbell had brilliant runs through the midfield.
But after half-time the Pumas clawed back those inches, the first breakthrough coming via a long-range missile from James.
Now in goal, Campbell stopped an absolute rocket clean in front of his eyes.
The cream on the cake came when poetry-in-motion ball movement from the back of the field found Fletcher in space, who then dispatched the ball into the net.
The inches were found.
The inches were gained.
It was a beautiful day.
Other results:
Healesville U14 Red Devils 2–3 Knox
Goals: Evie T, Jade D
Healesville U12 Panthers 0–1 Berwick Spirit
Healesville U12 White Wolves 1–3 Maroondah United Gold
Goal: Robbie K
