December 21st, 2021Daylesford Soccer under 15 league winners

DAYLESFORD & Hepburn United Soccer Club’s Under 15s, under coach Danny Koleski, have won the Ballarat Soccer League Competition for the third time.
Committee member Ivan Carter said it was worthwhile reflecting on how far the juniors had come.
“They’ve bonded as a group, the core players have put in massive efforts every season, taken new players in and supported them to become the great team they still are today.
“Bear in mind that at the beginning of each season, particularly the past two years, we didn’t know if we could field a team. Common denominator here, apart from the core players, is coach Danny.
“Captain Tulley Pelham thought he would like to say a few words when receiving the flag after the win so he did his own research. Danny has been coaching him for eight years. He signed up at age seven and is now 15.
“It’s an understatement to say that Danny’s done a great job with these kids and long may he continue in this role or another. Special mention to Joshy who stepped in when Danny was unavailable and kept the fire burning and the good results continuing.
“These players are exemplars for our club. They play with passion, intent, style, ability and aggression but they are fair, humble and respectful to opposition and referees. We should be very proud of their efforts.”
Mr Carter said the team was the 2018 league winners and cup winners for the U13 Division 2 winning the league 10 points clear of Vic Park White with a goal difference of +63. The top three goal scorers were Zach Koleski, Mehdi Bennani and Otis Smith. The team won the grand final over Vic Park White with 5-4.
The following year they were the 2019 league winners in the U13 open winning the league by six points clear of the Vikings with a goal difference of +5.
Monty Hughes was 3rd highest scorer followed by Frey Pelham at 7th, Zach Koleski at 8th, Tate Koleski at 12th and Logan Koleski at 16th. Tulley was the centre defensive midfielder – and leading yellow card recipient with four. The team lost to Vikings in the grand final 1-0.
Last year, they were leading the U14 open league after four games by three points and 19 goals but the season was shut down by Covid.
This year there were no finals, again with Covid, but the team were the 2021 league winners in the U15 open finishing equal on points but with a goal difference of +15. Zach won best and fairest.

The current team, pictured, from left, back row, Valentine Smith, Acen Slater, Codie Chapman and Bernard Kelly, middle row, Murray Pelham (manager), Jacob Slater, Monty Hughes, Zach Koleski, Alex Schroder and Danny Koleski (coach), front row, Tulley Pelham (captain), Samuel Ashby, Frey Pelham and Tate Koleski, absent, Mehdi Bennani, Ellah Carpenter and Madeline Lemphers

Image: John Mayger