The NPL 2 and NPLW Victoria seasons are reaching dramatic conclusions, and Western United and Calder United’s teams were in action looking to set themselves up for a huge end to the campaign.
Western United faced Brunswick Juventus while Calder United played host to FV Emerging with titles, finals places and promotions all firmly up for grabs.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Senior’s
Brunswick Juventus 1-1 Western United
Goal scorer: L.Vickery (51’), M.Bisetto (57’)
Western United travelled to face the in-form Brunswick Juventus on Friday night with a spot in the top two on the line, while Brunswick were out to continue their fight against relegation.
Diogo Ferreira’s Green and Black side brought the heat in the first half, dominating proceedings and creating a number of quality chances in front of goal.
The only thing that was missing was the finishing touch, though, and when Brunswick came out of the half-time break with greater attacking impetus, United was punished.
Callum Richardson put the home side in front on the hour mark but United continued to chase a result, neglecting to give up heading towards a pivotal point in the season.
All of the visitors’ pressure paid off as Matthew Grimaldi stepped up to convert an 88th minute penalty, giving the side what could prove to be a vital point with three matches remaining.
With Preston losing and Kingston City and Dandenong City drawing with each other at the top, United avoided losing ground at the top of the table and still has promotion in its own hands ahead of a huge clash against Kingston this weekend.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s
Brunswick Juventus 0-4 Western United
Goal scorer: A.Centaro (41’, 77’), J.Divin (45’, 79’)
Western United’s Under 21’s are involved in a chase of their own at the end of this season, with just three points separating them from Melbourne City at the top of the league.
Vaughan Coveny’s side was in fine form once again with two goals in each half securing a comfortable 4-0 win over Brunswick Juventus.
There was something of a pattern with the four goals, coming in rapid-fire sets of two and being scored by the same two players.
Alessio Centaro gave United the lead in the 41st minute before Joshua Divin followed up just before the break and when Centaro netted again in the 77th minute, Divin responded with a second strike of his own minutes later.
The win ensures United maintains the heat on City at the top of the league and continues the side’s strong form heading into the finals.
Western United Junior Academy teams
All four of Western United’s Junior Academy teams hit the road in Round 14 and brought goals aplenty with them as they spread across the state.
It started with a 2-2 draw for the Under 14’s against Box Hill United before the Under 15’s toppled Brunswick Juventus 3-1.
The Under 16’s were pegged back after going 2-0 up but found a way to come out with a 3-2 win against Whittlesea Ranges before the Under 18’s ended the day in spectacular fashion.
Six individual goal scorers found the net as the side romped to a stunning 8-3 win over Bendigo City, despite going behind after just three minutes.
Western United Junior Academy scores
Under 14’s
Box Hill United 2-2 Western United
Goal scorers: P.Sfyridis (26’), B.Trajcevski (32’)
Under 15’s
Brunswick City 1-3 Western United
Goal scorers: M.Di Lorenzo (34’), N.Yohannes (55’), N.Alumbulwa (58’)
Under 16’s
Whittlesea Ranges 2-3 Western United
Goal scorer: K.Acar (5’), A.Vejzovic (22’), J.Filipovic (OG 53’)
Under 18’s
Bendigo City 3-8 Western United
Goal scorer: C.Dermentzoglou (20’), J.Qariaqus (32’), A.Marmura (39’, 45’), H.Casci (51’), O.Tanic (58’, 83’), L.Grundy (75’)
Calder United NPLW Senior’s
Calder United 3-0 FV Emerging
Goal scorer: K.Hieda (11’, 81’), L.Walsh (65’)
It was the Keiwa Hieda show at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve as Calder United stormed to a fifth win in six matches, downing FV Emerging 3-0.
Hieda set the tone for her magical display with a long-range screamer barely 10 minutes into the match, looping a bouncing ball over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.
FV Emerging remained in the contest but Calder was firmly in control throughout its entirety and made good on its domination in the second half.
The second goal was all of Hieda’s making as she robbed an Emerging defender before teeing up Larissa Walsh in the box. Calder’s No.11 simply couldn’t miss as she prodded home unmarked from close range.
Hieda then capped off the afternoon with another showing of brilliance, picking up the ball just outside the penalty area before beating multiple defenders and squeezing in a shot at the near post with her left foot.
The win keeps Calder United in the top four and within range of third-placed South Melbourne, who come to Keilor Park Recreation Reserve this weekend.
Calder United Under 19’s
Calder United 1-3 NTC U17
Goal scorers: N.Colosimo (61’)
Calder United’s Under 19’s could not become the first team to defeat NTC U17 this season, going down 3-1 to the runaway title winners despite a solid performance.
The visitors took the lead just before half-time but Natasha Colosimo was able to equalise for Calder in the 61st minute.
Unfortunately for Calder United, FV Emerging turned it and within seven minutes of being pegged back, the league leaders found two goals and cruised to a 3-1 victory.
The result leaves Calder in third place on the table and, exactly like the Senior’s, the team will be looking to close the gap to South Melbourne to one point when the two sides meet on Saturday.
Calder United junior girls
The long trip to the south-east failed to bring great joy for Calder United’s junior sides over the weekend, with two draws and one defeat across the three matches.
Both the Under 13’s and Under 15’s played out 1-1 draws against Southern United while the Under 17’s fell to a 2-0 defeat.
Calder United junior’s scores
Under 13’s: Southern United 1-1 Calder United
Goal scorer: P.Cotsis
Under 15’s: Southern United 1-1 Calder United
Goal scorer: C.Pinto Calleja
Under 17’s: Southern United 2-0 Calder United
