Adam Sadler
The Daylesford Division 1 and Division 2 teams went into the weekend’s matchups against Maryborough with high hopes of walking away with six points. Word was that Maryborough had strengthened over the off-season, fielding two senior teams and notching up some strong wins in the lead-up.
Daylesford’s Division 2 side looked solid across the park, and under the inspiring leadership of Ross Morley, kicked off full of confidence. With experienced ball players in the mix, the Pumpers controlled the early exchanges. Jarrod, Tom, and the bearded Jack Nulty looked particularly comfortable on the ball, while Ned Casey’s pace down the left created plenty of danger. Up front, Henry Maxwell’s relentless pressure gave Maryborough’s defence no time to settle. Despite the dominance, Maryborough’s keeper was sharp, cutting off a string of chances.
Daylesford continued to move the ball with purpose, with club stalwart Murray Pelham calmly linking up through the midfield. Defensively, the Pumpers looked strong, but Maryborough’s youthful pace up front remained a threat. Life member Ivan Carter rang the changes from the sideline with trademark composure. But just before halftime, Maryborough struck—breaking on the counter, their striker went one-on-one and finished clinically into the top corner, just past the fingertips of the Daylesford keeper.
Down 1-0 at the break, the Pumpers remained confident. The halftime introduction of Tully Pelham and Sebastian Lukoszek-Every injected fresh energy. Daylesford looked the more likely to score for much of the second half, but their efforts went unrewarded. As legs tired, Maryborough found a second wind, making good use of their substitutes. With a clinical edge Daylesford lacked, they slotted home two more late goals.
Refusing to go quietly, Ross Morley charged off his line in the dying minutes to deny a certain fourth goal—earning a yellow card and facing a penalty as his reward. Amid some good-natured heckling from the Division 1 squad warming up behind the goal, Ross pulled off a superb save, diving low to his right and keeping the final score at 3-0. Despite the loss, the Pumpers could hold their heads high after a spirited performance. That elusive first win surely isn’t far away.
Next up, the Division 1 team took to the field. Despite missing a couple of regulars, quality ran through the side, with young Alex Schroeder stepping up at right back. The early exchanges were tight. Maryborough used their height and physicality to play long, while Daylesford, with Declyn Bear and Sebastian Lukoszek-Every marshalling the backline, kept things on the ground.
As the Pumpers gained control, a series of attacking long throws from Sean Ludeke created half chances. The pressure told when Frey Pelham, just 16 and electric with the ball, was brought down outside the box. Lee Stevens stepped up and curled a beautiful free kick into the top corner to give Daylesford a deserved lead.
With Prasanna Thapa a constant threat down the left, the home side looked solid going into halftime. Stand-in keeper Nick Jansen-Vreeling was barely tested but looked safe when called upon.
The second half began shakily for Daylesford. Maryborough took advantage, equalising with a cutback and neat finish. The response was immediate—Tully Pelham delivered a perfect corner to the back post, where Adam Sadler rose to nod home and restore the lead.
Adam Sadler nods home to regain the lead. (Photo: Joe Tucker)
But fatigue and injuries mounted. Tom Robinson came on after a full game in Div 2, grinding out valuable minutes. Damo Nguyen brought energy on the right, and debutant Bishant showed promise up front. James Milesi, in a tireless man-of-the-match display, covered every blade of grass.
With midfielders dropping like flies, it became a game of attrition. In the 92nd minute, heartbreak—Maryborough equalised from a corner to make it 2-2. While there was some disappointment at the final whistle, the game was played in great spirit, and the draw was probably a fair result on the day.
DHUSC Seniors are at home to Ballarat on Sunday, May 4, commencing at 3:00 pm at the Victorial Park Oval.
Adam Sadler is the president of the Daylesford Hepburn United Soccer Club.
