Western United’s NPL 3 Men’s outfits were back at home at City Vista Recreation Reserve for a huge pair of matches against Melbourne Victory on Sunday, while Calder United travelled to Bayside United in need of a big win in the NPLW.
Western United NPL 3 Men’s Under 21’s
Western United 1-3 Melbourne Victory
Goal scorer: G.Siamoa (77’)
Melbourne Victory were the only team with an unblemished record in the NPL 3 Men’s Under 21’s competition as they arrived at City Vista to take on Western United.
Vaughan Coveny’s side knew it would have a tough afternoon and went behind early as Nathan Stamatelos converted a seventh-minute penalty.
United remained in the game though and were nearing a route back in it until a costly couple of minutes just after the hour mark gave Victory some breathing room.
A Daniel Cincotta own goal was closely followed by a strike from Patrick Hogan, but Greg Siamoa continued his strong goal scoring form with an effort in the 77th minute to keep United in with a chance.
It wasn’t to be in the end as United fell to just its second defeat of the season, but the side remains in third place on the table.
Western United NPL 3 Senior Men’s
Western United 1-2 Melbourne Victory
Goal scorer: Y.Panakos (5’)
Anthony Frost’s senior side was up next and looked to end the day on a high for the Club to continue to apply pressure on the top teams in the league.
Yianni Panakos got the team off to the perfect start when he rose highest to apply a bullet header to Abel Walatee’s corner, thumping the ball into the back of the net.
United continued to push on before Victory began to gain a foothold in the match, and the visitors were given a big chance when United goalkeeper Charlie Emery was shown a straight red card after bringing down a Victory attacker just outside the box.
Agonisingly for United, Victory equalised with the very last situation of the first half as Aaron Anderson emulated Panakos with a strong header from a corner.
The away side continued to press with the man advantage, but Jalil Regague, Zac Kocankovski and substitute goalkeeper Mayen Mayen were effective in repelling Victory’s advances.
That was until the 73rd minute when James Paneras stole into the six-yard box to prod home from a low ball across the face of goal.
United continued to try to get forward and had a couple of late set pieces that might have brought about an equaliser, but Frost’s side had to settle for its second loss of the campaign, too.
Calder United NPL Victoria Girls Under 19’s
Bayside United 2-4 Calder United
Goal scorers: F.Iaria (13’, 38’, 73’), K.Jacobs (49’ OG)
Calder United’s Under 19’s side went provisionally top of the league after a hard fought, come from behind 4-2 win over Bayside United on Saturday.
Fiorina Iaria got the ball rolling with a goal in the 13th minute but the home side hit back, squaring the game in the 21st minute before taking the lead just after the half hour.
But Iaria struck again minutes later to take the sides into the break at 2-2 before an own goal from Bayside’s Keisha Jacobs had Calder back in front just after the restart.
Iaria then sewed up the result and wrapped up her hat-trick in the 73rd minute, the 15-year-old sensation continuing her stunning form to start the campaign as she now has seven goals in five games, two more than anyone else in the league.
Calder United NPLW Senior’s
Bayside 0-6 Calder United
Goal scorers: S.Papadopoulos (30’, 90+3), A.Cerne (42’), R.Deralas (76’), T.Stella (86’), J.Sardo (88’)
Harriet Withers returned for her first appearance in the NPLW season after helping Melbourne Victory to win the A-League Women championship, giving a boost to Calder’s forward line ahead of the trip to Bayside.
Bayside held Mark Torcaso’s side out for half an hour before Stacey Papadopoulos opened the scoring right on 30 minutes before Alana Cerne added her second of the year just before half-time.
It remained a tight encounter until the final 15 minutes from where Calder United blew the game wide open with four goals.
Raquel Deralas struck in the 76th minute and Tiarna Stella buried her first-ever senior goal 10 minutes later before Julia Sardo and Papadopoulos again found the net before full-time, capping off a brilliant 6-0 victory.
