Western United has a fantastic opportunity to make further ground on the top of the NPL 3 table with an away trip to Geelong this weekend.
The Match
Geelong SC vs Western United
Saturday, 10 July
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Stead Park
Last time out
Western United returned to winning ways last week with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Whittlesea Ranges at Epping Stadium.
A brace from Manny Aguek guided Ante Moric’s side to an important three points after a winless two games after the league’s post-lockdown resumption.
That win has United well placed in third on the table, four points off the top two but also with only a three-point lead on Box Hill in sixth.
This weekend’s action around the league sees the rest of the top five playing against each other, with Preston Lions hosting Nunawading City and Doveton travelling to Melbourne City.
That places an importance on a positive result for Western United, as a win would mean the team can build further ground on those teams nearby in the table.
The opponent
Geelong currently sits in eighth place on the table having lost touch with the top six sides after a run of just one win in five games.
They have proven very difficult to beat in recent weeks, though, with a draw against in-form Box Hill last week following a tight loss to joint-top Doveton, conceding only in the 82nd minute to lose 1-0.
It was a similar story a matter of weeks prior to lockdown when an 85th minute strike condemned to defeat of the same score line against Melbourne City.
The last time Western United met Geelong was back in round 4 in April, incidentally at the exact same venue as this weekend’s clash.
United needed an Aguek equaliser with under 20 minutes to play to steal a 1-1 draw on that occasion, with another tough battle expected for the reverse fixture.
Season stats
Aguek’s double last week now has him as the outright top goal scorer in the league, with a stunning 11 goals in 12 games.
The United forward has struck six times in his last four outings and will be one to watch out for again this weekend.
If Western United can beat Geelong this weekend, it would be the first back-to-back wins of the season and could have the team as close to top of the league as it has been since the second round.
