Western United finished its NPL 3 regular season with a big clash against Geelong SC, while Calder United travelled to face South Melbourne on Saturday.
Western United NPL 3 Men’s Under 21’s
Western United 6-0 Geelong SC
Goal scorers: G.Siamoa (13’), T.Alisandratos (22’, 37’), O.Lavale (26’), S.Lo Monaco (32’), J.York (41’)
With third place already wrapped up with a game to spare, Western United’s Under 21’s ended the regular season in style with a dominant first-half performance carrying the side to a 6-0 win.
Greg Siamoa got the ball rolling early on with his 24th goal of the season in just 16 games in the Under 21’s competition.
Thomas Alisandratos continued his fine end of season form with the second goal before making it a brace after Oli Lavale and Sebastian Lo Monaco had also found the net.
James York made it six just before half-time, and if not for some heroics from Geelong’s keeper the lead might have been further extended after the break.
Vaughan Coveny’s side will now look ahead to a semi-final meeting with Melbourne City this weekend, with a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs.
Western United NPL 3 Men’s Senior’s
Western United 4-1 Geelong SC
Goal scorers: S.Ngor (8’, 11’, 32’), N.Botic (89’)
Anthony Frost and his players knew that a win would guarantee a spot in the promotion play-offs and potentially elevate the side up to third place.
Knowing this, Sabit Ngor got to work early on what was a dominant afternoon for the No.11, with two quickfire goals getting the Green and Black out to a 2-1 lead.
Geelong pulled a goal back in the 26th minute but Ngor fired straight back six minutes later, completing a first-half hat-trick with another clinical finish from inside the box.
The Green and Black had a number of quality opportunities to add to the lead in the second half, including a penalty soon after the break which Christian Theoharous put narrowly wide as it clipped the post on its way past.
United remained resolute in the face of any pressure from Geelong and added a fourth just before the final whistle.
It was a case of saving the best until last for United as it put together a silky move down the right hand side, which ended with Yianni Panakos picking out Noah Botic for a tap-in inside the six-yard box.
As the final whistle sounded on a convincing win, news that Melbourne Victory had lost 1-0 against Nunawading City confirmed United would finish in third place.
That books Western United in for a play-off fixture against Goulburn Valley Suns, who finished bottom of NPL 2, with a win seeing United promoted to NPL 2.
Calder United NPL Victoria Girls Under 19’s
South Melbourne 1-6 Calder United
Goal scorers: O.Anderson (5’, 47’), S.Cappola (44’), E.Di Tella (46’), F.Iaria (79’), A.Ramel (87’)
There was much cause for celebration as Josip Loncaric’s Calder United Under 19’s secured the Premiership with an emphatic 6-1 win over South Melbourne.
Despite the home side taking the lead just four minutes into the match, Calder piled on three goals in each half to run away with the game.
Olivia Anderson made it four goals in three games with a brace and Sienna Cappola and Erika Di Tella added one each to have Calder comfortably in front just after half-time.
Fiorina Iaria scored her 19th goal of the season in the 79th minute and Anastasia Ramel put the icing on the cake just before the final whistle.
Calder seized control of the Premiership race with nine wins in the last 10 matches seeing the side lead the league for most of the campaign.
The team will look to finish the regular season strongly against second-placed Alamein FC next weekend before looking ahead to the finals.
Calder United NPLW Victoria Senior’s
South Melbourne 0-2 Western United
Goal scorers: E.Robers (14’), A.Sinclair (90+2)
Mark Torcaso’s Senior side is in its own Premiership race and needed a win over South Melbourne to move within a game of claiming the plate.
A matter of weeks after defeating South in the NIKE F.C. Cup Final for a second straight year, Calder was sharp out of the blocks and opened the scoring within the opening quarter hour.
After Julia Sardo pounced on an errant South Melbourne clearance, Melissa Taranto played an exquisite backheel pass to send Emma Robers in behind, and the midfielder showed excellent poise to round the goalkeeper and pass the ball into an empty net.
Calder continued to create chances but couldn’t add to the scoresheet as South Melbourne remained in the contest, making a tight finish at Lakeside Stadium.
Captain Aleksandra Sinclair wrapped it up on the cusp of the final whistle after a kind ricochet fell to her feet, allowing her to roll the ball into the net unopposed and secure her side another win.
The NPLW leaders will be in action again quickly against Box Hill United on Tuesday, with a win in that match at the Veneto Club in Bulleen all but securing the NPLW Premiership.
