After making a perfect start to the 2022 NPL 3 season, Western United’s NPL 3 Under 21’s and Senior Men’s sides were out to keep it going against Whittlesea Ranges on Saturday.
Western United NPL 3 Men’s Under 21’s
Whittlesea Ranges 0-2 Western United
Goal scorers: T.Alisandratos (28’, 31’)
Vaughan Coveny’s Under 21’s side got the afternoon started at Epping Stadium, going in search of two straight wins to begin the campaign.
Western United’s Under 21’s side had two very strong showings against Whittlesea last season, breaching Ranges’ net 11 times over 6-1 and 5-0 victories in 2021.
But Saturday’s clash proved to be a much tougher test as United was forced to work hard to break down Whittlesea’s rearguard.
Just like in Round 1 it was two goals in quick succession for United, only this time around they came much earlier in the piece and through the same source.
A quickfire brace from Thomas Alisandratos, striking in the 28th and 31st minutes, gave United a bit of relief before half-time and ultimately proved to be the decisive actions as United claimed consecutive wins and consecutive clean sheets to begin the campaign.
Western United NPL 3 Senior Men’s
Whittlesea Ranges 0-2 Western United
Goal scorers: J.Najdovski (50’), S.Ngor (78’)
Western United’s NPL 3 Senior Men’s side also carried in the confidence from two wins over Whittlesea last year, but Anthony Frost knew his side would be facing a very different Ranges outfit this time around.
Armed with a new coach and a heavily changed squad, Whittlesea earned a strong draw against Melbourne Victory in Round 1 and were out to make like difficult for the Green and Black.
A tight first half saw both sides head into the interval locked at 0-0, but United struck early in the second period to seize the momentum.
After an excellent goal-and-assist performance last week, Jake Najdovski supplied his second goal in as many matches on 50 minutes before Whittlesea went down to 10 men five minutes later.
The home side stayed in the game despite the numerical disadvantage, and United remained strong to hold out Whittlesea’s advantage and added a crucial second goal through Sabit Ngor in the 78th minute.
That goal sealed the win for Frost’s side, meaning both the Senior’s and Under 21’s sides have won their first two matches without conceding a goal.
Early results leave the Club’s Academy squads in good stead ahead of a big weekend at City Vista Recreation Reserve, where Melbourne City will travel to the West to take on Western United on Sunday.
