Football….
There are many reasons we play football, to be involved in the Heidelberg United Community, to be around like minded people, to be at a successful place on pitch and a wonderful Family away from the Pitch.
Sometimes Club’s can say marketing quips that they hope will stick or are embraced, at Heidelberg United nothing was more truer than their motto the Family Club.
Celebrating a person’s life who had left us all far to early, who had been integral part of the Family Club, a Coach, a Role Model, a Wonderful Volunteer, a multiple Premiership Player, Grand Final Goal Scorer, a Victorian Representative and just a Special Human, a daughter, a sister, the Heidelberg United Number 9.
This Match was a Tribute to the late Keely Lockhart, Heidelberg United’s No.9.
The Match was a wonderfully attended by the Football Community, a large Crowd of about 1,500 made up of many Past and Present Female Footballers, Matildas, Coaches and Leaders of rival Clubs attended with Flowers, Kind Words and lots of heartfelt Tears…
Both the Tribute prior to the Match organised by Heidelberg United and in part Football Victoria was near on perfect as Tributes go, the warmth and support for the Lockhart Family was extremely moving, NPL Victoria’s Stream on it’s Youtube Channel was not lost on those who couldn’t attend, again perfectly fitting.
A minutes silence for Keely was observed, it was raw, moving and very emotional, near on 300 plus People were on the Pitch including both Teams, Referees, Officials, the Heidelberg Under 16’s Team that Keely Coached, Keely’s Family, Friends, former Team mates, her rivals from opposition Clubs, opposition Coaches, the entire Heidelberg United Committee, Senior Mens Squad and Coaching Staff, HUFC Junior Teams and many others.
It was a stunningly organised Tribute and the crowds in the Stands were just as impressive, in total the crowd was as large that has been seen maybe ever for a Home and Away Match in the NPLW.
So, then the Round 16 Match commenced, what was to play out was unclear, Football Victoria’s NPLW Ladder Leaders Heidelberg United had a week that was like no other, full of emotion.
Alamein was clinging to a Top Four position if they could defeat the 2024 NPLW Champions who had gone 33 League Matches for only 3 losses since the Georgakopoulos Samild Partnership had commenced.
Alamein had taken the lead early hitting the Bergers on the counter to go 1 – 0 up after only 4 minutes with a calm finish by Zoe Houghton.
Miranda Templeman in Goal for Alamein pulled off a wonderful top hand save from a thunderbolt from Caitlin Karic.
As the Match started to settle, in the 12th minute some wonderful inter play from Karic, Molly Burke and Sarah O’Donoghue found Tamar Levin who hit a wonderful shot on the swivel to beat Templeman into the left hand top corner where only the spiders live.
In was like the pressure value had been released and the Bergers started to exert their dominance across the pitch.
Many shots were taken from range at the Alamein goal and again Karic opened up the Alamein defence to find the NPLW Golden Boot leader Sawa Matsuda in the 44th minute to make it 2 – 1 to the Bergers at the Break.
Another wonderful Tribute to Keely was on the scoreboard at Half time, l will take the time to mention the lovely touch on the Heidelberg United Players socks and shirts with the KL9
The Second Half started with Alamein kicking into a massive head wind and were pinned in their own half and struggled to beat the Bergers press.
Mia Bailey Heidelbergs Keeper wasn’t called into much action with Bella Wallhead, Maia Heysen, Rosie Wild and Cam Barriero resolute in defence.
Levin created some space for a pass that opened up a half a chance for Asuka Miyata who hit who a rocket with her left foot that had more spiders looking for a new home at the 59th minute.
Heidelberg was 3 – 1 up and started rotate players off with their Nike Cup Semi Final coming up versus Bundoora on Wednesday Night at the Olympic Village with a 7.30pm Kick Off.
Templeman made some tremendous saves, Runnalls, Leferve, Clemenson, Captain Bougias fought valiantly for Alamein but again after in a stop play Barriero sliced a cross that floated into the back corner at the 68th minute to have Heidelberg 4 – 1 up.
The Match played out with the score remaining at 4 – 1 win to the Bergers and have the Ladder Leaders 12 points clear at the Top, with 6 Matches to play.
A fitting day by all participants, Players, Officials, Supporters, Clubs, Friends and Family paying their Respects to Keely Lockhart.
Well done to all…
