Cracking results for the Senior Men and Women and junior teams the U16 Hurricanes, U10 Red Storm and U10 Falcons lit up the last weekend before the school-holiday break.
Healesville Senior Women 1-0 Knox
After two tight affairs where Knox took home the chocolates, the Senior Women got their revenge.
The first half had some chances, but it was cagey, with both teams defending well.
Healesville battled a dipping sun and strong wind in the face to keep it 0-0 at half time.
The second half was a different story.
Healesville were strong defensively, moving the ball into attacking areas and posing a threat all over the park.
With about 15 minutes to go after a Healesville kick hit the crossbar and the team missed a couple of close ones, Ava whipped in a corner.
That led to a scramble, and Tess tapped it in to take the lead for the Reds.
From there the team calmly proceeded to lock out Knox.
Special mention to Caera D, Courtney C and Sarah C, and welcome to Isla Campbell, making her debut this weekend.
Healesville Senior Men 2-1 Waverley City
Missing five players from its usual starting line-up, Healesville faced a tricky game against Waverley on a synthetic pitch in windy conditions.
Pip M was called upon to make his first-team debut and gave a sterling performance.
David M gave the away side the best possible start with a goal from outside the box in the opening minutes.
Chances were few and far between for the rest of the half, but Waverley began to control possession.
Stu P in the Healesville goal didn’t have a save to make, however, whilst Ben M fired over from inside the box for the Reds.
The second half began and the same pattern ensued. Daniel T collected a through ball by David T, beat his player and finished well with 20 minutes to go.
It looked like this would be the final score, but Healesville conceded a goal from a needless free kick with five minutes remaining, giving them a few nervous minutes.
Nonetheless, the Reds held on for another three points.
Healesville U16 Hurricanes 5-1 Mooroolbark Phoenix
The Hurricanes cemented their second-place position on the ladder with a commanding win over bottom-placed Mooroolbark Phoenix on a brisk morning at Don Road.
Despite the apparent gap between the two teams on the table, the match opened in unexpected fashion.
A scrappy and congested first half saw the Hurricanes struggle to find their rhythm, with passes going astray and urgency lacking.
Mooroolbark capitalised on the home side’s slow start, earning a penalty following a Healesville handball to cancel out an earlier own goal and send the teams into the break at 1–1.
Emerging with renewed focus and intent after a half-time reset, the Hurricanes took control in the second half, stretching the game and finding the width that had been missing early on.
This tactical shift paid off as goals flowed from open play, with Evie T, Ava H, Isla C and Olive B all hitting the scoreboard in a clinical attacking display.
The result keeps Healesville in the hunt at the top end of the ladder and shows that, even on a sleepy day, the Hurricanes have the depth and discipline to get the job done.
Healesville U10 Red Storm 5-0 Maroondah United
The team had a great win at home at Don Road, with scorers Louis A (2), Hayden H (1), Jensen R (1) and Spencer B (1) helping the team to victory.
Healesville U10 Falcons 3-1 Lilydale
An early start didn’t faze the Falcons, who began the game sharp and passed the ball well.
Colton finished off a great move to take the lead.
Not long after, Ben pounced on a kickout from the keeper and gave the keeper no chance with the finish.
Healesville kept the pressure on, and Ethan S scored after a great passing move that started in the Falcons’ box.
Playing into the wind in the second half, Healesville kept the ball moving, but with the mercy rule in play they struggled to extend their lead.
Lilydale pulled a goal back late on, but it was a good day for the Falcons.
A special mention for Ben, who while playing into goals ran the length of the park and was unlucky not to score.
Other results:
Healesville U16s 0-2 Blackburn
Healesville U12 White Wolves 1-3 Blackburn North Crocodiles
Goal: Ardi C
Healesville U11 Ninjas 1-2 Lilydale Eagles
Goal: Levi
