The Lilydale Eagles took the field for the last time in 2025, up against Bayswater Strikers away from home.
The Reserves were up first, needing a win or draw to consolidate second spot over their opponents on the day.
Taking a conservative approach to the game due to the influx of players Bayswater brought into the team in recent weeks, the Lilydale Eagles were on the back foot but dealt solidly with most of Bayswater’s early attacks.
Lilydale’s threat looked to be coming on the flanks in the first half, with all of Tarin Cooper, Bailey Hone and Christian ‘Flik’ Lindner-Mark (who returned on limited minutes from a knee injury), finding joy out wide.
Unfortunately, Bayswater’s aerial ability at the back was also a strength and they were able to repel most of the Eagles’ efforts.
Disaster struck in the 35th minute when Bayswater took a short throw-in on the left wing and put in a ball to the backpost which caught out Dongyun ‘Andy’ Kwon, with his opponent Eddie Gottschling able to take a touch and volley it home over Daniel ‘Dicko’ Dickson.
Things worsened for Lilydale when with the last kick of the half when the Strikers capitalised on a lack of communication in the Eagles’ defence, with Sean Dardengo the beneficiary for Bayswater.
The Eagles regrouped at halftime, knowing now it would take a big shift in their effort and application to overcome the deficit and secure second spot.
Chris ‘Westy’ Weston was the main character of the second half, picking up a yellow in the 58th minute which his teammates and spectators could see coming from a mile away.
He then was the man to halve the deficit only two minutes later, being on hand to put the ball in the back of the net following some desperate Eagles attack.
Westy’s flurry of activity concluded in the 71st minute when he was given his marching orders when himself and the Bayswater captain went sliding into a challenge and a round of ref roulette resulted in a sending off for the Lilydale man.
The rest of the game was a combination of the Eagles pushing to equalise while also having to push equally hard back to cover for the extra man.
Bayswater had some chances on the break but failed to extend their lead, while the Eagles were only able to muster some desperate forays forward with a lack of end product.
The most notable moments in the last minutes of the game were two yellow cards to Callum Ludwig and Byron Loveless for a cynical challenge and arguing with the ref respectively.
The 2-1 loss condemned Lilydale to third at the conclusion of the season.
The Seniors were up next, hoping to go out on a high after another tough season.
Things got off to a horror start when a long throw into the box in the 6th minute was flicked on by Bayswater ahead of the hands of Ludwig, with an own goal awarded off Connor Hartman after it ended up in the back of the net.
Archer Maudsley made it 2-0 in the 14th minute after Bayswater’s runs in behind continued to cause havoc for the Lilydale defence. Ludwig had saved a shot from the right-hand side of the box but Lilydale were unable to get the ball clear and it fell to the Bayswater striker whose shot beat Leo Blair on the goal line and found the bottom corner.
Bayswater had a third only three minutes later when Hayden Thompson was on hand to score again and left the Eagles with a mountain to climb.
From there, Lilydale tightened up with a higher line and narrower defence, catching the Strikers offside multiple times while also holding onto the ball a bit more.
It culminated in a lovely move in the 38th minute when a few intricate passes in midfield before heading out wide ended up with the ball at Jasper Blair’s feet and he was able to tuck home to reduce the deficit before halftime.
In the second half, the Eagles started to hold onto the majority of possession but were unable to create clear-cut chances early.
Their task was made harder in the 58th minute when a Bayswater counterattack found Kyle Chandler on the right wing who beat Solomon ‘Amons’ Hranglung for pace before beating Ludwig at his near post after he was slow to come off his line.
Lilydale continued to take a slower, methodical approach up the pitch while Bayswater sat off to protect their lead and look to break with pace, with Ludwig called into a save with his left hand and the Striker’s Dardengo also hitting a shot straight at the Lilydale keeper when played through one-on-one, while having another chance inadvertently denied by his own teammate.
Another big Strikers chance came from a corner when Ludwig punched clear to the edge of the box but only as far as Maudsley, who struck a low shot which took an outstretched foot and a desperate clearance from the Eagles defence to keep out.
Dardengo was able to finally get his goal in the 88th minute when he raced through unopposed again and was able to put his finish between Ludwig’s legs to wrap up the 5-1 win for the home side.
Lilydale finished the season third from bottom of the ladder in eighth place.
All that remains is the club Presentation Night on Friday 12 September where the top performers from throughout the year will be recognised.
