Western United will be hoping to arrest a difficult run of form in NPL 2 Victoria when it takes on FC Bulleen Lions on Sunday.
The Junior Academy teams will each face various opponents at home at Alcock Road Reserve, and Calder United will take on South Melbourne in NPLW, completing a bumper Sunday.
Match Details
NPL 2 Victoria Round 13
Western United vs FC Bulleen Lions
Sunday, 14 May
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST (Under 23’s), 5:30pm AEST (Under 21’s).
City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field, Plumpton
Last time out
Western United’s Under 23’s lost 1-0 for the second straight week, going down at home to Northcote City after a goal from the visitors in the second half.
The Green and Black remains well-placed in an increasingly competitive NPL 2 Victoria season, sitting in third place just three points behind the top spot.
United’s Under 21’s side dropped its first points of the campaign, with Campbell Dovison’s 80th-minute goal securing a 1-1 draw against Northcote last time out.
Vaughan Coveny’s men maintained their top of the table status despite the result, remaining unbeaten for the 2023 campaign so far.
The Opponent
Bulleen Lions have largely struggled so far in NPL 2, with just three wins from the opening 12 games leaving them level with Brunswick Juventus at the foot of the table.
It’s been a tale of two different runs of form in home and away matches for Bulleen – all three of their wins have come at home while they have picked up just one point on their travels all season.
Bulleen’s form has been improved in recent weeks with a win, a draw and two losses across the previous four matches, with one of those defeats being a 4-3 thriller against league leaders Preston Lions.
Giuliano Febbrarino’s side will be eager to turn their season around and will give United a strong test, with Diogo Ferreira’s side also needing a positive result.
Western United Junior Academy teams all at home at Alcock Road Reserve
All four of Western United’s Junior Academy teams will play at home once again, with the new Alcock Road Reserve facility housing the program for the JBNPL 1 season.
This team, each side will face off against a different opponent in Round 3 of their respective seasons with eyes on maximum points after two grueling opening fixtures.
The Under 14’s will kick things off at 10:00am on Sunday against Box Hill United before the Under 15’s meet Brunswick Juventus.
Whittlesea Rangers will be the challengers for the Under 16’s side before the Under 18’s round out the afternoon against Bendigo City.
The Under 18’s will be out to make it three wins from three to start the season, while the Under 14’s and Under 16’s will be eager to get on the board as each team looks to assert themselves on the new season.
Western United Junior Academy Match Details
JBNPL 1 Round 3
Under 14’s: Western United vs Box Hill United (10:00am kick-off)
Under 15’s: Western United vs Brunswick Juventus (11:30am kick-off)
Under 16’s: Western United vs Whittlesea Ranges (1:15pm kick-off)
Under 18’s: Western United vs Bendigo City (3:00pm kick-off)
Sunday, 14 May
Alcock Road Reserve, Truganina
Calder United renews hostilities with South Melbourne
Calder United will face another tough battle against South Melbourne on Sunday, renewing hostilities against the long-term on-pitch rival.
The Senior’s have gone unbeaten in two matches in a row for the first time this season, with the new-look side beginning to find familiarity and improvement on the pitch.
The team will be complimented by the returns of four Western United Liberty A-League Women players in the coming weeks in the form of Raquel Deralas, Natasha Dakic, Alana Cerne and Julia Sardo.
South Melbourne have bounced back from a disappointing 2022 season to begin the 2023 campaign in good shape, and they will be looking to continue their charge up the table in search of silverware this year.
Calder’s Under 19’s suffered their first defeat of the season last week and hope to bounce back against a South Melbourne side with whom they went toe to toe in the Premier’s Plate race last season.
Match Details
NPLW Victoria Round 9
South Melbourne vs Calder United
Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May
Kick-off: 1:00pm, Saturday (Under 19’s, Saturday), 1:30pm (Senior’s, Sunday)
State Football Centre (Under 19’s), Lakeside Stadium (Senior’s)
Broadcast: The Senior’s match will be streamed live and free on NPL.tv
Calder United Juniors host Football Victoria NTC
Calder United’s Under 13’s will take a bye this week, but the Under 15’s and Under 17’s will both be in action against Football Victoria NTC sides.
Both sides will be at home in Keilor Park for important matches, the Under 15’s having the chance to overtake NTC U14 and the Under 17’s hoping to halve the gap to NTC U15 at the top of the table.
Calder United Junior’s Match Details
Saturday, 13 May
Calder United vs Football Victoria NTC
Kick-off times: 1:30pm (Under 15’s), 3:00pm (Under 17’s)
Keilor Park Recreation Reserve, Keilor Park
