Fresh from a perfect start to the NPL 3 season, Western United’s Under 21’s and Senior Men’s sides will be out to pick up another two wins in Round 2 against Whittlesea Ranges.
Match Details
Whittlesea Ranges vs Western United
Saturday, 26 March
Kick-off: 12:30pm AEDT (Under 21’s), 3:00pm AEDT (Seniors)
Epping Stadium, Epping
READ MORE: Anthony Frost “really proud” of first win of the NPL 3 season
Last time out
It was two wins from two for the Western United Academy last week as both sides played host to Nunawading City at City Vista Recreation Reserve.
The Under 21’s set the tone for a great afternoon with a confident display, controlling much of the contest before finally breaking the deadlock late on.
Two goals in quick succession from Billy Souvlis and Peter Lay earned Vaughan Coveny’s side its first three points of the new season.
Anthony Frost’s Senior Men’s side carried on where the Under 21’s had left off with free-flowing play in possession and a willingness to get forward quickly.
Quickfire doubles were the theme of the day as Christian Theoharous opened the scoring before Jake Nadjovski scored a cracker barely a minute later to have United in control heading into half-time.
Sebastian Lo Monaco sealed the win late in the second half to cap off a brilliant day for the Academy, with all focus now turning to Round 2.
Last season’s meetings
Whittlesea Ranges was actually one of the few times Western United got to play twice during the suspended 2021 campaign, with the Green and Black boasting a perfect record across both competitions.
The Under 21’s side poured in 11 goals against Whittlesea last year in 6-1 and 5-0 victories, giving the side a boost of confidence heading into this weekend’s meetings.
It wasn’t quite so straightforward for the Senior’s who had to come from behind to win the first meeting 3-1, before adding a 2-1 victory later on in the campaign.
The Opponent
Whittlesea Ranges welcomed in a new coach over the off-season with Alfredo Costantino now at the helm having previously been in charge of Manningham United in NPL 2.
He has brought in a number of key players from his previous club, with that recruitment showing early signs of promise as Ranges earned a 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory in Round 1.
Whittlesea were sitting third bottom when the 2021 campaign was suspended and will be keen to climb up the table this season, with United set to face a tricky test in this Round 2 clash.
