The Weekly Wrap

The Western United weekend wrap up is a quick-fire around the grounds summary of results from our NPL 3 men’s and NPLW women’s teams.

This report sums up the games from the weekend ending Sunday 11 July 2021.

NPL 3 – Western United Academy Teams

The COVID-enforced league-wide shutdown might have come at the wrong time for Western United’s NPL senior side, with momentum halted after two good wins in the last two games.

But Ante Moric ensured his players would suffer no such hangover, despite United ‘hosting’ Springvale White Eagles at their own home ground on Friday night.

United started the game well and were on top throughout the first half but couldn’t break the deadlock until early in the second period.

Manny Aguek converted a penalty that he had won himself, and Sabit James capitalised on a Springvale error 10 minutes later to bury his first goal of the campaign, securing a 2-0 win and a first clean sheet of the season.

That game had followed an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Under 21’s, where Jake Najdovski had United leading 1-0 at the break.

Springvale bounced back in the second half, though, equalising and then taking the lead in quick succession, but Luka Krstevski rescued a deserved point late on in the match.

NPL 3 vs Springvale White Eagles

Final score: 2-0 win

Goal scorers: M.Aguek (p. 55’), S.James (65’).

NPL 3 Under 21’s vs Springvale White Eagles

Final score: 2-2 draw

Goal scorers: J.Najdovski, L.Krstevski

NPLW – Calder United

If the Western United NPL teams had to battle for their positive results on Friday, Calder United were ruthless in two big NPLW victories on Saturday.

With opponents Bayside United sitting sixth in the Under 19’s competition and on the bottom in the seniors, Calder United piled in 14 goals across the two matches, conceding just one.

The Under 19’s team scored two quickfire goals in the middle of the first half before adding three more in the second to claim a 5-1 win and maintain second spot on the ladder. Perhaps most impressive was that the five goals were all shared by five different scorers.

Catherine Zimmerman was in no mood to share in the seniors, though, as she got to work early with a hat-trick inside the first 19 minutes of the match.

It was 5-0 before half-time and Mark Torcaso’s team kept the pressure on in the second with four more, romping to a 9-0 win. Calder remains in third in the seniors, just one win behind Bulleen Lions.

NPLW vs Bayside United

Final score: 9-0 win

Goal scorers: C.Zimmerman (7’, 17’, 19’), A.Taranto (34’), H.Withers (40’, 64’), A.Groba (70’), J.Sardo (84’), C.O’Bryan (90’).

NPLW Under 19’s vs Bayside United

Final score: 5-1 win

Goal scorers: M.Mathews (22’), S.Cappola (24’), C.Ottone (57’), O.Saron (69’), S.Habtom (84’).

UPCOMING MATCH DETAILS

NPL Seniors

Preston Lions vs Western United

Friday, 6 August

Kick-off: 8:30pm

B.T Connor Reserve