Western United’s NPL 3 Men’s sides went to Wembley Park for a tough test against Box Hill United in Round 4 over the weekend, while Calder United returned home to face FV Emerging.
Wester United NPL 3 Men’s Senior’s
Box Hill United 2-1 Western United
Goal scorer: S.Ngor (52’)
Western United had a perfect start to the season to protect against Box Hill, but the task was made difficult immediately as the hosts came bursting out of the gates on Friday night.
Stuart Edgar and Liam Higgins struck in the 6th and 13th minutes respectively to give Box Hill the early momentum before Western United set about finding a route back into the match.
Anthony Frost had some thinking to do heading into half-time and his team talk paid dividends early as Sabit Ngor pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute, making it three goals in as many games for the No.11.
United continued to push for an equaliser but it wasn’t forthcoming, though there was a late leveller that was disallowed.
That succumbed United to its first defeat in the NPL 3 Senior Men’s competition, but Frost’s side remains in second place on the table, just one point off the top.
Western United NPL 3 Men’s Under 21’s
Box Hill United 0-3 Western United
Goal scorers: O.Eze (2’), O.Lavale (21’[P], 26’)
Western United’s Under 21’s side came back to Wembley Park the following day and had no such troubles in dispatching Box Hill.
Vaughan Coveny’s men got off to the perfect start when Obiora Eze popped up to open the scoring inside the first two minutes of the contest.
United was able to dictate proceedings from there and added two more quick goals before the half hour mark with Oliver Lavale striking twice – the first from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before his second in the 26th minute.
The Green and Black displayed composure and control in the second half to manage the remainder of the match and secure a big win, once which keeps the side within a game of top spot.
Calder United NPLW Senior’s
Calder United 4-0 FV Emerging
Goal scorers: A.Groba (4’, 34’), A.Taranto (64’), A.Cerne (81’)
Calder United returned home to Keilor Park Recreation Reserve for the first time in the 2022 season, with a special day seeing all of the club’s junior sides play in succession leading up to the senior games.
Mark Torcaso was out for a response from his side after a 0-0 draw in Round 1 against Box Hill United, and Ava Groba set the tone early with a goal inside four minutes.
The diminutive attacker struck again half an hour later to have Calder in the box seat heading into the break before Adriana Taranto added a third just past the hour mark.
Alana Cerne completed the 4-0 thumping with an 81st minute goal, ensuring Calder United joins Bulleen Lions as the only two undefeated teams through the first two rounds ahead of their crunch match at David Barro Stadium next Monday.
Calder United NPL Victoria Girls Under 19’s
Calder United 2-2 NTC U17
Calder United’s Under 19 Girls side took to the pitch just before the senior’s kicked off on Saturday afternoon, hoping to follow up a stunning 6-2 comeback win against Box Hill in Round 1.
Fiorina Iaria was a hat-trick hero on that afternoon and was at it again with another goal to keep her at the top of the golden boot charts early on in the campaign.
Alyssa Smith also scored for the second game running, but the Under 19’s were unable to make the goals count, eventually settling for a 2-2 draw.
