Last Saturday’s chilly weather set the scene for tough competitions for the seniors and well-earned victories for junior squads.
Healesville U16 Hurricanes 5-0 Knox Force
The Hurricanes returned to action this week after a well-deserved break, taking on the formidable Knox Force on the first truly wintry day of the season.
Early play was tight and fiercely contested, with both teams refusing to give any ground.
Gradually, the Hurricanes gained ascendancy in the midfield, and their relentless attacking pressure paid off with a well-deserved goal by Evie T, who marked her first appearance in the side after being promoted from the U14s.
The second half saw the Hurricanes build on their advantage, with captain Hana P leading a resolute defensive effort and shutting down Knox’s key attacking threat.
On the right wing, Eloise S found some form, creating several opportunities for the Hurricanes’ forwards.
Two of those chances were expertly finished by Mahlea D and Sia M. Sia, another rising star from the U14s, capped her strong performance with an additional striker’s goal.
Mia K rounded out the scoring with a clinical finish.
Healesville U16s 4-3 MUFC
What was expected to be a big challenge and an epic game lived up to the hype.
Both teams came in undefeated, with MUFC top of the table on goal difference.
Hamish M scored in the third minute, delivering on Healesville’s aim of starting strong.
The game then settled into some back and forth, but possession leant slightly in Healesville’s favour.
Through Max J and an own goal shot by Aidan C, Healesville were 3-0 up after 15 minutes.
MUFC lifted again after this and pushed hard, securing a goal with a minute left in the half.
In the second half, both teams failed to covert for a while before MUFC struck again, but a quick reply from Aidan C saw the gap remain.
Sensing the end of the game, MUFC found another gear to score late, but Healesville saw off the challenge and secured the top of the ladder.
Healesville U8 Red Rebels 4-0 Wattle Glen
The Rebels put in another fantastic team effort this week, with a series of passes that consistently opened up the pitch and created opportunities.
A standout moment came from a brilliant cross that led to a great goal by Jackson.
Defensively, everyone played their part, tackling and clearing the ball.
Edward and Declan did amazing goalkeeping to keep a clean sheet.
Healesville U13 Heelers 3-1 Berwick Blues
Away from home in Berwick, the Heelers had a big showing from supporting families, which really lifted the boys in the cold weather.
The Healesville side looked much more confident playing as a group this week.
The first goal was scored by Cooper S, built off of the back of a great team passing play.
Theo A won himself a penalty after a great run into the box led to a late tackle from the opposition side.
The keeper saved the penalty shot but spilled out the ball. Theo was quick to pounce on the opportunity to secure the goal.
The combination of a red card in the second half and a quick response from the home side saw the Healesville boys 2-1 up and a player down with 15 minutes remaining.
The boys managed to defend a series of attacking plays before a quick break saw Yuuki P scoring a brilliant chip shot over the keeper to finish the game 3-1.
Healesville Senior Women 1-2 Knox
On Cup day Healesville’s Senior Women came up against a strong Knox.
The team was hungry for revenge after losing a close one in the league a few weeks earlier.
Nil-all at half time was a fair score, and the second half saw Knox go 2-0 up with a couple of relatively quick goals.
With 20 minutes left, Healesville threw caution to the wind and went on the attack, creating numerous chances.
Sarah C scored with about five minutes to go, creating a high-blood-pressure finish.
Alas, there was no equaliser, and a very nervous Knox breathed a sigh of relief on the final whistle. Special mention to Caera, Ruby and Paige for a rock-solid defensive performance.
Healesville Firsts 1-1 Maroondah Utd (5-3 to Maroondah on penalties)
The first round of the Parry Cup brought a change of focus this week. In a perfect start for Healesville, Josh B scored his first of the season after great work from JJ and Johnny C.
Always threatening, Maroondah scored from a deflected shot from outside the box midway through the second half.
Healesville missed a couple of late chances to win the game, but overall a draw and penalties seemed a fair way to settle the tie.
From nine penalties taken only one was missed.
Sadly for the Reds, that was enough to be knocked out of the competition.
Healesville U11 Goats 0-7 Healesville U11 Ninjas
This was a game all the boys were looking forward to, some of them facing good friends or schoolmates.
Referee Asha allowed the game to flow smoothly and had little to do.
After some initial back and forth, Max found a gap in the Goats’ defensive line and scored a lovely goal from the left side.
More goals followed soon after, with the Ninjas keeping the pressure up.
Leo, Leroy and Jakob added to the score, and it was 4-0 at half time, which meant the mercy rule kicked in (much to Hayden’s dismay when he netted a spectacular header from inside the box).
The second half saw the Ninjas taking shots from outside the penalty area, with Ollie (1) and the outstanding Jacob (2) rounding off the tally.
Other results:
Healesville U12 Diamonds 3-3 Blackburn
Goals: Emmelia, Evie and Elodie
Healesville U14 Red Devils 0-1 Knox City
Healesville U10 Falcons 3-6 BCSC
Goals: Nate, Conor and Kai
Healesville U12 White Wolves 1-6 Berwick United
Goal: Will B
Healesville U12s Division 0-6 BCSC Blues
