Western United NPL Weekly Wrap: Individual brilliance on show

Western United returned home to City Vista with a tricky NPL 2 Victoria fixture against Brunswick Juventus, while Calder United headed away from home to face Boroondara Eagles.

Western United NPL 2 Men’s Senior’s

Western United 1-0 Brunswick Juventus

Goal scorer: M.Grimaldi (63’)

Diogo Ferreira was eager for his side to bounce back from defeat against Langwarrin SC last time out with a return to winning ways on the mind against Brunswick Juventus.

However, United’s struggles to convert chances carried on from the Langwarrin defeat as the Green and Black failed to capitalise on opportunities in front of goal, heading into the break level at 0-0.

But a piece of magic ultimately unlocked the door and won the game, coming through a familiar source in Matthew Grimaldi.

The midfielder completed a stunning solo run, cutting in from the right-hand side before burying a left-footed strike into the bottom left corner of the net.

The three points weren’t the only positive to come out of the match, with Jake Najdovski making his first appearance of the season having recovered from a back injury that kept him out of action for an extended period of time.

United remain level on points with Preston Lions at the top of the league and four points clear of the chasing pack behind as the season approaches its halfway point.

Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s

Western United 7-1 Brunswick Juventus

Goal scorers: C.Dovison (7’), L.Vickery (34’, 57’, 58’) T.Alisandratos (p.45’), O.Eze (83’), Y.Nassis (85’)

Vaughan Coveny’s Under 21’s continue to march on with another helping of goals in an emphatic 7-1 victory.

Campbell Dovison got the ball rolling with his sixth goal in seven matches before Luke Vickery and Thomas Alisandratos, who had just made his first Under 23’s appearance of the season moments earlier, put United in control before half-time.

The visitors pulled one back soon after the break but Vickery hit back immediately, striking twice in quick succession to complete a hat-trick.

Obiora Eze and Yani Nassis completed the rout as Western United remains three points clear of Melbourne City at the top of the table.

Calder United NPLW Senior’s

Boroondara Eagles 3-2 Calder United

Goal scorers: K.Hieda (18’), F.Iaria (72’)

Calder United was looking to carry the momentum from its first win of the season into a big game against newly promoted Boroondara Eagles, who have begun life in NPLW Victoria very positively.

But Mawa Sumaoro ensured Calder’s momentum would be snapped early, opening the scoring just nine minutes into the contest.

The visitors equalised in quick time, though, as Keiwa Hieda scored her first goal for the club with a tidy one-on-one finish after impressive set-up work from Alexis Mitchell.

Boroondara’s star striker Kurea Okino restored the Eagles’ lead before half-time before 16-year-old Fiorina Iaria scored her second goal in as many games.

After latching onto a delightful long ball from Bella Sewards, Iaria took one touch to expertly bring the ball under control and a second to blast it into the back of the net for a brilliant goal.

Calder might have thought that would be the goal to secure an important point, but Okino popped up six minutes later to score her second and secure all three points for Boroondara.

Calder United Under 19’s

Boroondara Eagles 0-4 Calder United

Goal scorers: M.Cucinotta (45’), N.Colosimo (48’), O.Anderson (83’, 88’)

Calder United’s Under 19’s entered their clash with a perfect record to protect, and protect it they did with an impressive 4-0 victory.

The visitors turned the match on its head either side of half-time as Mikaela Cucinotta netted just before the break and Natasha Colosimo followed soon immediately after it.

Boroondara remained in the contest until the final 10 minutes where Olivia Anderson struck twice to sew up the three points for Calder.

That win keeps Calder level on points with NTC U17 at the top of the league ahead of their meeting in two weeks’ time.

Calder United junior girls

While Calder United’s junior teams split their results, the three junior sides were all on the same wavelength with three wins over Heidelberg United.

All three sides are edging closer to top spot in their leagues, each sitting in fourth place and within six points of first.