Western United will look to get back on the winner’s list in NPL 2 Victoria when it takes on Dandenong City on Sunday afternoon.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Round 5
Western United vs Dandenong City
Sunday, 19 March
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEDT (Under 23’s), 5:30pm AEDT (Under 21’s)
City Vista Pavilion and Sports Field, Plumpton
Last time out
Western United’s Under 23’s fell to a second straight defeat in NPL 2, going down 1-0 in a tight contest against Preston Lions.
Diogo Ferreira’s side started the game well and might have taken the lead when Max Bisetto had a big chance on goal before the half hour mark.
The Green and Black looked the better side in possession but Preston took advantage of their chance, going in front just before half-time.
Lucas Trenkovski was needed on a couple of occasions to keep the margin at one and saved a penalty in the second half, but his teammates couldn’t find a way to equalise and take a point away from the game.
The Under 21’s followed that up with another commanding win, making it four on the bounce to start the season with a 4-1 triumph.
Thomas Alisandratos continued his electric start to the season with another two goals, while Luke Vickery also found the net again to maintain his form in front of goal.
Vaughan Coveny’s side remains top of the league through the opening four rounds and will be out to make it five in a row this weekend.
The Opponent
Dandenong City entered the NPL 2 season with ambitions to earn promotion back into the top flight after being relegated last season.
Despite that promise, it hasn’t been the smoothest of starts the season with just one win through the opening four fixtures, though their only two defeats so far were against the top two sides in Preston and Pascoe Vale FC.
United will be fully aware of the quality that remains in the Dandenong City side, with the Green and Black set for a difficult task to pick up points.
Junior Academy sides travel to North Geelong Warriors
Western United’s Junior Academy sides will each face their toughest tests of the grading period when they travel to Elcho Park to face North Geelong Warriors on Sunday.
North Geelong sit atop the Under 15’s division, are equal on points at the top of the Under 16’s and Under 18’s and are second in the Under 14’s.
United has been equally successful so far making for a thrilling weekend’s action as all four teams seek to lock in places in the top division after the league split.
Attention will be particularly closely paid to the Under 16’s match, with both United and North Geelong approaching the match having won each of their first seven games.
Western United Junior Academy Match Details
Sunday, 19 March
North Geelong Warriors vs Western United
Kick-off times: 9:30am (Under 14’s), 11:10am (Under 15’s), 1:00pm (Under 16’s), 3:00pm (Under 18’s)
Elcho Park, Lara
Calder United kicks off NPLW Victoria season
Just as it did last season, Calder United will commence the NPLW Victoria season with a Friday night trip to face Box Hill United.
Fresh from winning the FV Women’s Community Shield in a thriller against Bulleen Lions last week, Calder will enter the league campaign with the hope of defending the Premiership and Championship double from last season.
Nathan Maoirana and Helen Winterburn will lead a squad full of new signings and talented youngsters that have been promoted from Calder’s Under 19’s outfit.
The Under 19’s themselves will follow up against Box Hill with a Saturday morning kick off at Wembley Park as they too seek to defend their Premiership crown from last season.
Calder United NPLW Senior Women Match Details
Friday, 17 March (Senior’s), Saturday, 18 March (Under 19’s)
Box Hill United vs Calder United
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEDT (Senior’s), 11:15am (Under 19’s)
Wembley Park, Box Hill
Calder United junior sides back at home against Alamein FC
Calder United’s junior girls will play at home for the second round in a row, facing off against Alamein FC at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The three teams will be out to pick up maximum points as they each continue their respective efforts to climb up the league table.
Calder United Junior’s Match Details
Saturday, 18 March
Calder United vs Southern United
Kick-off times: 9:45am (Under 13’s), 11:00am (Under 15’s), 12:30pm (Under 17’s)
Keilor Park Recreation Reserve, Keilor Park
