Western United faced a tricky away test against Kingston City in NPL2 while the Junior Academy sides took on Melbourne Victory and Calder United hosted Heidelberg United.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Senior’s
Kingston City 0-1 Western United
With NPL 2 Victoria remaining extremely competitive, Diogo Ferreira was eager for his Western United side to continue its strong form and pull away at the top of the league.
With a number of teams around the top positions dropping points, the opportunity was there for the Green and Black to defeat another of its challengers in Kingston City.
But the hosts ensured United couldn’t settle into the game and got off to the perfect start, scoring barely a minute into the game when Petros Skapetis slotted into the bottom corner after a scramble at the top of the box.
The job was made more difficult for United when goalkeeper Ryan Mudaliar was sent off for a collision outside the penalty area.
Ferreira’s side pushed for an equaliser late in the match but Kingston’s defence held firm, ensuring they narrowed the gap to United to just one point.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s
Kingston City 0-3 Western United
Goal scorers: L.Vickery (30’, 37’), C.Dovison (72’)
Western United’s Under 21’s had to work for an 11th straight win this season, coming away with a 3-0 triumph over Kingston City.
Luke Vickery maintained his outstanding run in front of goal, scoring twice in quick succession just after the half hour mark to give Vaughan Coveny’s side the advantage heading into half-time.
Kingston remained in the game on home territory and made it difficult for United to extend the lead until Campbell Dovison eventually broke through in the 72nd minute, scoring for the third match in a row.
That all but wrapped up the result as United kept its perfect record and held onto top spot in the league approaching the halfway point of the season.
Western United Junior Academy teams
It was a big return for Western United’s four Junior Academy sides as they each kicked off their JBNPL 1 campaigns against Melbourne Victory.
The young sides battled hard against Victory outfits that each went through the pre-qualification phase winning 10 matches out of 10.
The Under 14’s fell to a 6-1 defeat while the Under 15’s lost 3-0 and the Under 16’s went down 5-0, though each team performed admirably with a number of young players playing in higher age groups.
The day ended on a fantastic high, though, as the Under 18’s scored a brilliant 3-2 win to begin the season proper in style.
Lachlan Grundy opened the scoring just before half-time before Victory hit back to take a 2-1 lead into the second period.
Nicolas Koek rose to the occasion with two goals in two minutes soon after the restart before United held on to claim a fantastic win.
Western United Junior Academy scores
Under 14’s
Melbourne Victory 6-1 Western United
Goal scorer: A.Tewalde (39’)
Under 15’s
Melbourne Victory 3-0 Western United
Under 16’s
Melbourne Victory 5-0 Western United
Under 18’s
Melbourne Victory 2-3 Western United
Goal scorers: L.Grundy (29’), N.Koek (p.53’, 55’)
Calder United NPLW Senior’s
Calder United 4-2 Heidelberg United
Goal scorers: L.Walsh (17’, 61’), F.Iaria (45+2), A.Mitchell (77’)
Calder United has been steadily improving over the last few weeks and entered a big game against Heidelberg United hoping to continue that development against an unbeaten outfit.
Playing at home, Calder got out to a nightmare start when Heidelberg took an early lead but Larissa Walsh fired back soon after, sliding a finish underneath the goalkeeper for her first goal of the season.
Fiorina Iaria then put Calder ahead on the stroke of half-time, scoring for the third match in a row with a lovely finish after latching into Bella Sewards’ long ball.
Heidelberg equalised 10 minutes into the second half before Walsh added a second minutes later, finishing from close-range after Elle Talevski nodded Montanna Mathews’ corner into her path.
The pick of the bunch was the fourth and final goal from Alexis Mitchell, with the American midfielder launching a long-range strike into the roof of the net to wrap up the win.
The positives continued for Calder as Ava Groba made her return from injury off the bench, with the side now moving to within three points of the top four.
Calder United Under 19’s
Calder United 2-1 Heidelberg United
Goal scorers: M.Dedalija (53’), S.Cappola (75’)
Calder United’s Under 19’s extended their winning run to six matches to begin the campaign, but needed to fight for it in a 2-1 victory over Heidelberg United.
Trailing at the break, Calder mounted a comeback and Maria Dedalija restored parity in the 53rd minute with her third goal in four matches having been promoted from the Under 17’s side.
Sienna Cappola gave Calder the lead with her first goal of the season 15 minutes from time as Calder completed the comeback to remain perfect so far.
Up next will be the toughest test of the season yet as Calder takes on NTC U17, the team with which they are level at the top of the table.
Calder United junior girls
It turned out to be the perfect day for Calder United as all three junior sides won their matches with a combine scoreline of 15-0.
The Under 17’s are now just four points off top spot while the Under 15’s and Under 13’s are six points behind the lead in their respective competitions.
Calder United junior’s scores
Under 13’s: Calder United 4-0 Geelong Galaxy FC
Goal scorers: D.Trncic, A.Taban (x3)
Under 15’s: Calder United 8-0 Geelong Galaxy FC
Goal scorers: A.Hartinger, M.Crawford, I.Joveska (x5), A.Petersen
Under 17’s: Calder United 3-0 Geelong Galaxy FC
Goal scorers: N.Schultz, F.McGorian, A.Talevski
