Western United NPL Weekly Wrap: Back to winning ways

Western United looked to get back to winning ways in NPL 2 Victoria against Dandenong City, the Junior Academy sides took on North Geelong Warriors and Calder United kicked off the NPLW campaign against Box Hill United.

Western United NPL 2 Men’s Senior’s

Western United 1-0 Dandenong City

Goal scorer: M.Bisetto (57’)

After two straight defeats, Diogo Ferreira would have been eager to see his side respond and return to the winner’s list in Round 5 against Dandenong City.

Ferreira saw that response from the outset as United dominated early on but couldn’t find the opener until after half-time.

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After winning the ball back, Noah Holmes turned defence into attack in a flash to play Max Bisetto in behind on the right-wing, and Bisetto’s mix of blistering pace and deadly finishing gave him his first goal for Western United.

United’s defence saw out the remainder of the game to secure the three points, promoting United to sixth on the table.

Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s

Western United 3-1 Dandenong City

Goal scorers: P.Williams (11’), T.Alisandratos (p.63’), C.Dovison (79’)

Western United’s Under 21’s side continued its perfect start to the 2023 season with a 3-1 victory over Dandenong City.

Vaughan Coveny’s team was made to work for this one, though, as Parker Williams’ early opener was cancelled out at the beginning of the second half.

Thomas Alisandratos scored for the fourth match in a row with a 63^rd minute penalty before a goal on debut from Campbell Dovison wrapped up the result as United continues to lead the league, level on points with Melbourne City.

Western United Junior Academy teams

Western United’s Junior Academy teams each had their biggest test of the season, travelling to Elcho Park to take on North Geelong Warriors.

The Under 14’s got proceedings underway as a quickfire double from Winston Ashburner and Esey Abraha secured a 2-0 win, taking the team four points clear at the top of the league.

Karl Leban looked to continue the early success with his 10^th goal of the season for the Under 15’s, but North Geelong fought back to claim a 3-1 win.

The Under 16’s match saw two perfect records go up against each other, and Kaylin Acar’s late goal just couldn’t inspire a comeback for United as it fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Max Clarke’s Under 18’s side completed the day in fine fashion, however, coming from behind to claim a thumping 4-1 win and move to the top of the table.

With three matches remaining in the grading period, three of United’s four teams are on course to be grouped in the top division while the Under 15’s remain well placed, just one point off the top three.

Western United Junior Academy scores

Under 14’s

North Geelong Warriors 0-2 Western United

Goal scorers: W.Ashburner (8’), E.Abraha (14’)

Under 15’s

North Geelong Warriors 3-1 Western United

Goal scorers: K.Leban (18’)

Under 16’s

North Geelong Warriors 2-1 Western United

Goal scorers: K.Acar (70’)

Under 18’s

North Geelong Warriors 1-4 Western United

Goal scorers: N.Koek (30’, 84’), C.Dermentzoglou (34’, 50’)

Calder United NPLW Victoria Senior’s

Box Hill United 3-3 Calder United

Goal scorers: B.Sewards (17’), S.Cappola (63’), M.Mathews (80’)

A breathless opening to the NPLW Victoria season saw Calder United draw 3-3 with Box Hill United at Wembley Park on Friday night.

The hosts jumped out to an early lead but Bella Sewards equalised soon after with a stunning long-range strike into the roof of the net.

Both sides threatened further goals until Box Hill regained the lead in the 58^th minute but Calder hit back almost immediately with a well-crafted move that culminated in a clinical finish in the box from Sienna Cappola.

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Calder then took the lead for the first time in the match when Montanna Mathews sent a free kick crashing off the crossbar and into the net before Box Hill were given a penalty at the death, one that they duly dispatched to steal a point.

Calder United Under 19’s

Box Hill United 2-4 Calder United

Goal scorers: M.Daskalovska (2’, 31’), O.Anderson (35’), M.Dedalija (82’)

Calder United’s Under 19’s got their Premiership defence off to the perfect start with a 4-2 win over Box Hill on Saturday.

Mia Daskalovska struck early and added a second just after the half hour mark, giving Calder the lead again after Box Hill had equalised.

Olivia Anderson doubled the lead soon after and ensured Calder was in control heading into half-time, but Box Hill remained in the game and pulled one back with 20 minutes to go.

An 82^nd-minute strike from Maria Dedalija halted any hopes of a late comeback from the home side, though, and confirmed an opening day victory for Calder United.

Calder United junior girls

All three of Calder United’s junior teams were back in action and on the winner’s list against Alamein FC with a combined score of 12-1 across the three matches.