Western United’s Senior Academy teams returned to action at the weekend, kicking off the 2023 NPL 2 Victoria season at home to Eastern Lions.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s
Western United 9-2 Eastern Lions
Goal scorers: Y.Nassis (6’, 33’), S.Lo Monaco (7’, 47’, 54’), L.Vickery (12’, 37’, 56’), O.Lavale (p.60’)
Vaughan Coveny’s Western United Under 21’s got off to an emphatic start in 2023, dispatching of Eastern Lions with a ruthless display.
The Green and Black set the tone early with three goals within a six minute spell at the start of the match setting the team on its way.
Sebastian Lo Monaco and Luke Vickery both hit hat-tricks while Yani Nassis scored a brace and Oliver Lavale completed the scoring with a penalty on the hour mark.
After playing finals for the first time in NPL 3 last season, Coveny will be delighted with his side’s start to life in NPL 2 for this season.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 23’s
Western United 1-0 Eastern Lions
Goal scorer: M.Grimaldi (50’)
The Western United Under 23’s entered new territory with Diogo Ferreira taking charge of his first game as head coach in the Club’s debut in NPL 2 Victoria.
The Green and Black settled straight into the contest and brought high energy from the outset with Abel Walatee thumping a strike against the crossbar in the opening minutes.
The No.7 had another big chance soon after with a header that flew just over the bar before Obiora Eze had a big chance in front of goal that also sailed high.
United might well have been frustrated to not be in front at half-time but Matthew Grimaldi ensure parity would not last much longer when he finished off a clinical breakaway minutes after the restart.
A sweeping move saw Grimaldi involved in midfield as he worked the ball out to Ajak Deu on the right-hand side. The No.8 continued his run into the box and when Deu’s initial cross deflected in his path, Grimaldi made no mistake with a rifled finish into the back of the net.
Eastern remained a threat at the other end but United continued to play the game in relative control, ultimately securing an important opening day victory.
Western United Junior Academy teams
Western United’s Junior Academy teams entered Round 3 of their respective competitions on Sunday, with each side facing off against Werribee City throughout the day.
The Under 14’s started the day in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 win thanks to two goals each from Lukas Nikoloski and Winston Ashburner.
The Under 15’s carried on from that with an even more outstanding result, piling on 10 unanswered goals in a dominant win. Karl Leban scored a hat-trick while Jordan Vonja, Noah Grieve and Nicholas Emtsis all scored twice.
United was set for a perfect day heading into the final two matches and two straight clean sheets ensured it would be six wins from six for the Club’s Academy across the day.
A brace from Ethan Robinson helped United’s Under 16’s to a 4-0 win before Hasani Lumu’s third goal in three games earned the Under 18’s a 1-0 victory.
Through the opening three rounds, all four teams are in the top four of their respective leagues, with the Under 16’s and Under 18’s both currently occupying top spot.
Under 14’s
Western United 5-1 Werribee City
Goal scorers: L.Nikoloski (13’, 50’), W.Ashburner (32’, 48’), A.Tewelde (59’)
Under 15’s
Western United 10-0 Werribee City
Goal scorers: N.Emtsis (15’, 60’), N.Grieve (17’, 57’), M.Di Lorenzo (38’), J.Vonja (40’, 69’), K.Leban (56’, 65’, 69’)
Under 16’s
Western United 4-0 Werribee City
Goal scorers: Z.Kaddour (2’), C.Dermentzoglou (13’), E.Robinson (29’, 55’)
Under 18’s
Western United 1-0 Werribee City
Goal scorer: H.Lumu (47’)
