Western United’s Junior Academy teams will fly the Green and Black flag for the remainder of the 2023 season with their debut seasons approaching their conclusion.
In Round 19 last weekend, all four sides took on Glen Eira FC at home at Alcock Road Reserve, while Calder United’s junior outfits each travelled to face Box Hill United.
Western United Under 14’s
Western United 2-4 Glen Eira FC
Goal scorers: Z.Nicola (19’), J.Traikos (55’)
The Under 14’s JBNPL 1 competition remains incredibly tight behind runaway leaders Melbourne Victory, and Western United had the chance to leapfrog Glen Eira with a win.
The visitors got off to a fast start but Zane Nicola’s equaliser ensured the scores were level at half-time.
Glen Eira came out firing in the second half and moved out to a 3-1 lead. Despite Joshua Traikos pulling one back for United, the visitor would run out 4-2 winners.
The defeat leaves United in sixth place in the Under 14’s competition, though just one point behind third and five points behind Glen Eira in second.
Western United Under 15’s
Western United 3-2 Glen Eira FC
Goal scorers: A.Borek (3’), N.Tzimos (18’), M.Di Lorenzo (54’)
Western United’s Under 15’s were involved in a similarly entertaining, free-scoring affair and managed to come away with a big three points in their fixture.
Adam Borek struck for United just three minutes in and Nicholas Tzimos doubled the advantage not long after to put United in a strong position.
Glen Eira stayed in the game, though, and Matthew Di Lorenzo’s ninth goal of the season proved to be a crucial one as the visitors couldn’t complete a comeback.
The win kept United in fourth place on the table with Northcote City well in the team’s sights in third with three matches remaining.
Western United Under 16’s
Western United 1-2 Glen Eira FC
Goal scorer: J.Lettieri (7’)
United’s Under 16’s side needed a win to stay on top of Glen Eira and potentially move into the top four, but despite a promising start the three points were not to be.
Joseph Lettieri put United in front after only seven minutes but Glen Eira hit back, equalising moments later and going on to take the lead before half-time.
The Green and Black fought for an equaliser and a way back into the match but the visitors held onto the win to leapfrog United on the table.
As with many of the other divisions, the league table is incredibly tight in the Under 16’s competition. United currently sits in seventh but remains just a win away from fourth place.
Western United Under 18’s
Western United 3-2 Glen Eira FC
Goal scorers: K.Deme (2’), Y.Oo (73’), A.Omer (83’)
Early goals were the theme of the day as Kayo Deme fired Western United’s Under 18’s into the lead against Glen Eira with just two minutes on the clock.
A win was vital for United to remain in touch with FC Bulleen Lions in second place and despite being pegged back soon after, Max Clarke’s side delivered.
A tense affair meant United didn’t find the lead again until the final 20 minutes, but two quickfire goals from Ya Sar Oo and Abdurahman Omer put the Green and Black in the driver’s seat.
There was time for Glen Eira to pull another goal back but the three points belonged to the hosts, keeping United in third place and just a point behind Bulleen in second.
Calder United junior teams
Calder United’s junior squads travelled to the eastern suburbs to take on Box Hill United in what was the penultimate round of their respective seasons.
It was a successful day overall with the Under 13’s kicking this off with a 4-1 win, sensational young attacker Achol Taban supplying all four goals.
The goals were spread around in a 3-0 victory for the Under 15’s, while the Under 17’s side fell to a 3-1 defeat.
Heading into the final round of matches this weekend, the Under 13’s and Under 15’s have each secured finals places and the Under 17’s will be out to win their match and ensure a spot in the top four.
Calder United junior’s scores
Under 13’s: Box Hill United 1-4 Calder United
Goal scorers: A.Taban (19’, 20’, 30’, 46’)
Under 15’s: Box Hill United 0-3 Calder United
Goal scorers: J.Struklec (5’), P.Vargiu (47’), I.Joveska (56’)
Under 17’s: Box Hill United 3-1 Calder United
Goal scorer: L.Presilski (47’)
