Western United will be back at home on Friday night for Round 5 of NPL 3, taking on Springvale White Eagles at City Vista Recreation Reserve.
Match Details
Western United vs Springvale White Eagles
Friday, April 15
Kick-off: 5:00pm AEST (Under 21’s), 7:30pm AEST (Senior’s)
City Vista Recreation Reserve, Fraser Rise
Last time out
It was a mixed pair of results for Western United’s Academy teams last week, as the Senior’s suffered their first defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss to Box Hill United.
Anthony Frost’s side was left frustrated at Wembley Park on Friday night, just failing to reverse an early 2-0 deficit despite Sabit Ngor’s second-half strike.
The Under 21’s had no such issues the following afternoon with a blistering first half display setting up a comfortable win.
Obiora Eze gave United a very early lead before a brace from Oliver Lavale cemented a 3-0 victory and a return to winning ways for Vaughan Coveny’s men.
That result kept the Under 21’s within three points of top spot, while the Senior’s are just one point off the pace through the opening four rounds.
Last season’s meetings
Western United faced Springvale twice in the interrupted 2021 campaign, and the senior side had a perfect record through those two matches.
The first one was a tight 2-1 win with Ayom Majok and Manny Aguek on the scoresheet before United kept a clean sheet the second time around. Aguek scored again and Ngor grabbed a second in a 2-0 victory in July.
The Under 21’s side failed to beat Springvale in its encounters with Springvale last year, falling to a 4-2 loss the first time the teams met before improving for a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.
The Opponent
Springvale have had a tough start to the season in the NPL 3 Senior Men’s competition, sitting bottom of the table with four losses in the opening four fixtures.
The Serbian club have scored just twice and conceded 10 goals, though they have had to play four of the top six in the opening rounds.
Sprinvale’s Under 21’s have had a similar baptism of fire, though they did manage a win over Doveton SC in Round 3.
They are currently ninth place in the 12-team competition, but are not to be taken lightly as they come to City Vista on Friday.
Calder United heads to Bulleen Lions for top of the table cracker
Calder United will head east for a huge top of the table clash in NPLW, taking on Bulleen Lions at David Barro Stadium on Monday night.
The Senior’s earned their first win of the year last weekend and will be looking to dethrone Bulleen at the top of the table in a battle of the only undefeated teams through the opening two rounds.
The Under 19’s have an identical record of a win and a draw in their first two games and will have a strong opportunity to rack up more points against a currently winless Bulleen outfit.
That match is set to kick off at 6:15pm before the Senior’s step onto the pitch at 8:15pm in a game that could give either side early momentum in the bid to become NPLW Champions.
