By Sarah Bailey
Healesville U13s 2 – 2 Knox Force
After a great performance last week Healesville were looking to back it up again against the second placed Knox Force. Knox had the better chances of the opening exchanges but didn’t convert.
The game became a very even contest, but two defensive mistakes cost the home side who went into the break two goals down.
Healesville found another gear in the second half and put Knox under immense pressure who remained dangerous on the counter.
Julian B found the net twice for the reds after great balls from Ryder H and Tom J. An outstanding save by Cooper W and Dylan C was excellent on the day.
Healesville U10 Goats 2 – 2 Berwick
A hard-fought draw at home against Berwick saw the U10 Goats walking away feeling victorious.
Down 0-2 at half time the Goats came out firing in the second half captained by their goalkeeper Rory.
With no substitutes the boys produced some exquisite energetic football scoring twice with goals from Arlo and Ryder, topped off with some tremendous runs from Percy and rock wall
defending from Pat.
The U10 Goats were too much of a handful for Berwick and dominated for the remainder of the game.
An excellent game of football from a superb group of lads.
Healesville U9 Redbacks 5 – 1 Maroondah
The game started evenly, and Maroondah went on the attack early but couldn’t get past Teddy in goals.
The Redbacks settled and were once again showing how far their passing game has come as they moved the ball around well and found teammates in good position.
A deflection from a corner kick saw the Redbacks take the lead and followed up soon after with a great strike from Kai.
2-0 up at half time.
A fantastic individual effort from the Maroondah striker who took the ball from end to end and scored a great goal fired up the Redbacks and they went on the attack with Will and Ben
adding more goals to the score sheet.
A great overall team effort once again and all players put in plenty of work. Shout out to Ben P taking home a hat trick.
Healesville Senior Womens Reds 12 – 0 Maroondah United FC
The Senior Womens Reds welcomed their Maroondah opponents to Don Road on a dreary afternoon.
With the gas heaters on both benches and the marquees set up, the aim for the afternoon was as much to keep as warm as possible as it was to win the game.
The Reds side dominated the game from kick off to the final whistle.
The score at the end was 12-0 to the Reds but in terrible conditions the game was played in great spirits by both sides as is always the case with the Maroondah team.
Special mention to Melanie S and Amelia S for their HSC debuts and to Nicole C who scored her first for the season.
Healesville U12 Heelers 6 – 0 Waverley City
The U12 Heelers put Waverley under immediate pressure, with Jesse putting the opening goal away in the first few minutes.
As the rain fell in an icy gale, Heelers turned up the heat with several spectacular attacks and determined defence, leading to a goal each from Oscar and Cooper and two beauties from Bodie, the second being a perfect lob that cleared the goalie and hit the net up high.
A foul on Mack in the Waverley goal square late in the game became a display of great team spirit as Mack elected Micah to come forward from defence to take the kick.
Micah belted the ball firmly into the net to great applause, giving Heelers a 6-0 victory, and pushing the team into second position on the ladder.
Healesville U10 Ninjas 3 – 0 Rising Tekkers
The Ninjas took on the skilful and well organized Rising Tekkers at home and the team battled hard all game.
Willis K was outstanding in goals early and provided great drive and pressure for the team in the second half.
Jackson S was as solid as ever in defence, and Leroy P was lively down the wing all day.
But Noah S stole the show in the second half with 2 excellent goals to seal a 3-0 win for the boys.
Healesville Mens Firsts 1 – 1 Gideon’s Warriors
Healesville welcomed top of the ladder Gideon’s Warriors to Don Road and the two teams went toe to toe for 90 minutes on a pitch that, in patches, resembled a paddling pool.
Healesville had two clear penalties turned down when John-James was fouled in the box on both occasions and Daniel T dragged a good opportunity wide.
Healesville would come to regret these near misses when a defensive error gave Gideon’s a 1-0 half time lead.
Healesville stamped their authority on the second half and would be rewarded through a dubious penalty which was converted by captain Anthony C.
Healesville had a couple of great chances to win the game but couldn’t convert.
However, they were still happy to take a point off the top team in the league and maintain their great run of form.
Healesville Reserves 0 – 0 Dandenong Red Fury
Healesville travelled to top of the table DRF and were looking to maintain their unbeaten second half of the season.
A tight, tense affair was played in tough conditions with both sides not giving an inch to their opponents.
Peter F marshalled his defence expertly on his return from injury and Nick C was excellent in goal.
At the other end Oshane D was unlucky not to score and Ben S and Tom E linked up well on numerous occasions but couldn’t find that finishing touch.
Overall both teams would feel a draw was a fair result from a very even contest.
Healesville U15 2 – 3 Maroondah United Valour
The game started well and was even for quite a while until a controversial Maroondah goal was awarded.
The Healesville boys showed their character and didn’t give up, keeping the pressure on with Hamish M chipping the keeper twice but just missing.
It wasn’t long though until that pressure resulted in a great tackle and goal by the returning Iggy C.
A 1-1 scoreline at half time felt about right and the boys geared themselves up for a big second half.
Another goal to Maroondah spurred them into a gear and the pressure was applied thick and fast.
Multiple chances unfortunately were not converted, until a huge effort with a back half interception, dribble, overlap saw Jarrah T make it all the way into the box and converting for his first goal to level things up.
However, a moment of brilliance from Maroondah’s striker saw them take the lead again with one minute to go.
It was hard to find standouts this week with everyone putting in a complete performance.
