Gutsy play from juniors and seniors on Saturday as the season’s end nears.
Healesville Firsts 3–1 Monbulk Rangers
The derby clash and match of the round was an even contest played mainly in the middle third.
The game opened up when JJ was brought down in the box and scored from the resulting penalty kick on the 35-minute mark.
The Reds’ lead lasted just three minutes, as a mix-up in defence allowed Monbulk to enter the Healesville box and finish well into the near post for a 1–1 half-time score.
Healesville made a few tactical changes and began to assert their dominance in the second half.
Daniel T missed from close range before an out-swinging corner was met with a bullet headed by captain Anton M.
Healesville continued to push, but Monbulk, with pace aplenty, always looked dangerous on the counter.
Daniel T, arguably Healesville’s best player on the day, scored with 10 minutes to go to give Healesville some breathing space.
A second yellow card to a Monbulk player shortly after helped Healesville’s cause even further, and the Reds played out the last five minutes to take all three points and continue their charge for the title.
Healesville U16s 10–0 Knox
The team talk was all about treating this game as a grand final.
Healesville scored early and showed complete dominance across the entire first half.
Kieran O, Gordon K, Charlie J, Harry L and Aidan C all scored to have the home side 7–0 up at the break.
The second half was a little more even.
Knox had a handful of shots early, but all were missed, or saved by Cooper B.
Another goal from Aidan 10 minutes in gave the opportunity to change the keeper and unleash Cooper with fresh legs.
His impact was immediate, helping Aidan to his fourth goal and Hamish M to his first for the day.
A second from Gordon rounded out the tally.
Healesville finished with a clean sheet, their biggest win of the season and, with results elsewhere going their way, a jump back up to second place.
Healesville U14 Red Devils 5–2 Waverley
It was an early start at a foggy Don Road, but the Devils were on fire.
Eloise W and Sia M scored inside the first four minutes after latching onto magnificent through balls from Georgia C and Ava H.
Healesville were then punished for some ball watching and loss of structure with Waverley scoring twice to level it up by half-time.
A lift of intensity in the second half saw a domination of play and three more goals.
Sia M completed another hat-trick and Eloise W added a second.
It’s hard to go past strikers Eloise W and Sia M for the best on field, but Henrietta IM also delivered another outstanding midfield performance.
With second place locked in, the Devils play top-of-the-table Knox at home next week.
Healesville U12 Diamonds 4–0 Berwick B
Saturday’s result was down to three goals by Emmelia (including a nutmeg and over-the-head shot) and an unfortunate own goal.
The ball was solidly in the Diamonds’ attack half for about three quarters of the game.
Many more shots on goal just slipped wide, with Keely, Maddie, Evie, Elodie and Audrey right up there.
The Diamonds’ defence was top notch, with Maddy and Annabelle superb in goal alongside Tilly and Anja’s solid defence line.
The opposition’s efforts were quickly shut down, and the Diamonds’ ball passing and attacking pressure through the midfield was relentless.
Healesville U12 Panthers 3–0 Berwick Thunder
The Panthers’ goal was to build on last week’s performance and knock off a top-three side.
With Louis away and Eddie out sick, it was great to welcome back Solti, still nursing an injury that’s kept him sidelined for a month.
Ankle brace on and Voltaren applied, he took his place in goal.
The opening 10 minutes were evenly matched.
The Panthers backline of Jake, Will, Jack and Milo was rock solid.
Thunder had the first big chance after a defensive error led to a penalty, but Solti produced a stunning save to keep the score level.
That lifted the team.
Ben, Sem, Flynn and Ryan began to link up, and the breakthrough came when Ryan pounced on a wayward goal kick and drilled a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
Late in the half, Berwick earned another penalty for handball, but Solti pulled off a second huge save to keep the Panthers 1–0 up at the break.
Thunder started strong after half-time, and the first 10 minutes were a midfield battle.
Key efforts from Ash, Leon, Jake, Sem and Sam turned the tide.
Around the 15-minute mark, pressure from a series of corners paid off, with Sem’s cross spilled loose in front, and Sam finished for his second goal of the season.
The final goal started from the back, with Jake linking with Sem, who burst into space, outpaced the defence and slotted it in off the inside of the right post.
Next week’s mission is to take down second-placed Berwick Spirit to make it five straight wins to finish the season.
Healesville U11 Ninjas 7–0 Maroondah Teal
A beautiful morning saw the Ninjas take on Maroondah Teal at Silcock Reserve.
The team played a cohesive first half with good passing and alert defending.
Leo opened the scoring, but all the Ninjas’ key offensive players would slot one in, with Max scoring two.
It was 4–0 at half-time.
Jaxson and Hayden saved what little came their way.
Levi, Kaspar and Felix followed instructions well and played with heart.
Max, Jacob and Ollie dominated the centre of the pitch with Percy tidying up anything that got past the mids.
And Noah, Leo and Leroy caused a heap of trouble for Maroondah.
Other results:
Healesville U10 Falcons 7–8 Mooroolbark
Healesville U10 Red Storm 2–2 Yarra Valley
Healesville U12 White Wolves 0–4 Rising Tekkers
Healesville Men’s Reserves 0–1 Monbulk Rangers
