Western United’s Under 21’s side will go in search of grand final glory when it takes on Melbourne City in the season decider.
Calder United’s junior sides will each begin their finals campaigns this weekend while it is the penultimate round for Western United’s Junior Academy in JBNPL 1.
Match Details
NPL 2 Victoria Under 21’s Grand Final
Melbourne City vs Western United
Saturday, 9 Septmber
Kick-off: 12:00pm AEST
The Home of the Matildas, Bundoora
Last time out
Western United was on fire in its preliminary final, putting FC Bulleen Lions to the sword in a ruthless, dominant performance.
The Green and Black set the tone early on as Campbell Dovison opened the scoring and Ahmed Iedom scored two of his eventual hat-trick all within 24 minutes.
Alex Hird scored a fourth just before the break and Iedom, Oscar Tanic and Max Pollara completed the rout in the second half with a series of superb finishes.
The 7-1 win gave United revenge over Bulleen who had won both meetings in the regular season, including inflicting a first loss of the season on United back in May.
The Opponent
Melbourne City and United were locked in a runaway title race in the Under 21’s division, with City ultimately finishing the season four points clear in first place.
The two sides split their season meetings, with one of United’s highlights across the season being the brilliant 4-0 triumph over City at Parade College in May.
The grand final will undoubtedly see the season’s two best teams go head to head in search of glory, with City ready to provide United’s youngsters with a stern test.
Players to watch
After his mesmeric opening to the semi-final last week, Dovison will hope to have a similar impact on Saturday.
Scoring the first and setting up the next two, Dovison was superb against Bulleen and linked up with Iedom, Thomas Alisandratos and Nicolas Koek through the front third with supreme ease.
James York has put together another stellar season in midfield and will look to bring his usual control and composure on the ball in the middle of the pitch.
Captain Giacomo Luna and vice-captain Alex Hird have also had tremendous campaigns and will be players to watch as Vaughan Coveny’s men chase victory.
Western United Junior Academy at home for the final time
Western United’s Junior Academy teams will play their last home matches at Alcock Road Reserve this weekend as they look to close their seasons on a high.
Each team will take on Essendon Royals apart from the Under 18’s, who face off against Avondale FC in an early morning kick-off.
The Under 16’s will be out to leapfrog Essendon Royals with a win in their match while the three other teams will face sides below them on their respective league tables.
With this to be the second last match of the season, all four teams will be eager to secure wins as they seek to finish the season as high as possible on the table.
Western United Junior Academy Match Details
JBNPL 1 Round 21
Sunday, 10 September
Under 14’s: Western United vs Essendon Royals, 10:00am kick-off, Alcock Road Reserve
Under 15’s: Western United vs Essendon Royals, 11:30am kick-off, Alcock Road Reserve
Under 16’s: Western United vs Essendon Royals, 1:15pm kick-off, Alcock Road Reserve
Under 18’s: Western United vs Avondale FC, 10:00am kick-off, Alcock Road Reserve
Calder United juniors enter Preliminary Final action
Calder United’s three junior teams commence their finals campaigns with preliminary finals on Saturday seeing each team hit the road.
With all of Calder’s squads finishing fourth on the table, each team will have the difficult task of taking on their league’s minor premiers for a spot in the grand final.
The Under 13’s will face South Melbourne before the Under 15’s take on NTC U14 and the Under 17’s do battle with FC Bulleen Lions.
Calder United juniors Match Details
NPL Victoria Girls Preliminary Finals
Saturday, 9 September
Under 13’s: South Melbourne vs Calder United, 9:15am kick-off, Lakeside Stadium
Under 15’s: NTC U14 vs Calder United, 2:30pm kick-off, Knox Regional Football Centre
Under 17’s: FC Bulleen Lions vs Calder United, 12:00pm kick-off, Veneto Club – David Barro Stadium
