Soccer
2 September, 2024
Falcons conclude successful season
The Horsham Falcons under-12s, under-14s and senior soccer teams have ended a positive, building season at Dudley Cornell Reserve on Sunday.
The under-14s were due to play Portland, but a forfeit from Portland ended their season. It was reported that they would play finals, but a clerical error from the league was amended and pushed them to fifth on the ladder.
The under-12s kicked Sunday off for the Falcons at Dudley Cornell Park. Kaden Thomas was sensational for the Falcons, kicking five goals in their 6-9 loss to the Stawell Pioneers.
The scores were 4-4 at halftime, but the Pioneers won by three goals in a solid second half. Abel Forbes was Horsham's other goal-kicker.
Judd Potter scored a hat-trick for the Pioneers. Jack Christie and Dexter Coburn kicked two goals apiece. Franklin Mills and Archie Coxon found the back of the net with one goal apiece.
The seniors, meanwhile, finished their season with a 1-6 loss to the Portland Panthers. Sedat Aytar finished his season off on a high, kicking another goal in the first half when they trailed 1-5.
The Falcons battled hard in the second half, only conceding one goal, a sensational performance that will give them something to build on for next season.
Bodie Steele kicked a hat-trick for the Panthers, with Lucas Adams, Andy Drill, and Noah McKinnon also finding the back of the net.
Senior player Sedat Aytar finished the season with 11 goals, third on the leaderboard behind Warrnambool Wolves' Paul Docherty and only one goal behind second-place - Portland Panthers Troy Jensen.
Under-12s player Kaden Thomas finished fourth on the goal kicking, with 12 goals.
Club president Paul Barnett said all teams' improvement over the season has been unbelievable.
"The under-12s were thereabouts and competitive and were a great chance of making the finals up until the last few weeks of the season," Barnett said.
"The seniors improved as the season went on and showed big improvement.
"It was good to see many ex-players with us in the Ballarat league rejoin the team, and it made the difference.
"When the seniors played Portland earlier in the year, we lost 19-0, but on Sunday, we only lost 6-1, and that is still a thrashing, but when you have a 14-goal turnaround in a season, it's amazing."
Barnett said that whilst it's disappointing the under-14s didn't make finals, they have a strong bond and will be big improvers in 2025.
"The kids have a strong bond, and seeing it grow all season has been amazing. They are playing as a team, loving each other and enjoying their soccer."