Western United was looking to continue building momentum in its NPL 3 season with meetings against North Sunshine Eagles, while Calder United faced Box Hill United for the second time this season.
Western United NPL 3 Men’s Under 21’s
Western United 3-1 North Sunshine Eagles
Goal scorers: T.Pisani (p. 39’), G.Greer (68’), G.Siamoa (78’)
Western United’s Under 21’s side came into this meeting with North Sunshine Eagles in some fine goal scoring form, netting 14 times across the last two games.
But North Sunshine made it difficult for United from the outset and took the lead just after the half hour mark before the hosts levelled soon after via a Thomas Pisani penalty.
Vaughan Coveny’s team had to wait until the 68th minute to take the lead when Gus Greer scored before Greg Siamoa added his 15th of the year 10 minutes later to give the Green and Black some breathing room.
The win takes United up to equal second on the table after Box Hill stunned Melbourne City with a win, while Melbourne Victory remain six points clear at the top.
Western United NPL 3 Senior Men’s
Western United 4-1 North Sunshine Eagles
Goal scorers: C.Theoharous (5’), N.Holmes (59’), D.Markovic (69’, 90’)
Anthony Frost named a strong line-up for the NPL 3 Senior’s against North Sunshine Eagles, with the side aiming for two wins in a row as it continues to recover the deficit at the top of the table.
United got off to the perfect start when Christian Theoharous lifted a delicate chip over the goalkeeper in the fifth minute, but North Sunshine hit back 10 minutes later with a heavily deflected free-kick.
The visitors were difficult to break down, but the Green and Black finally regained the lead on the stroke of the hour as Noah Holmes lasered a left-footed half-volley into the bottom left corner.
Dalibor Markovic put in a standout performance at left-back and was rewarded with a goal in the 69th minute, finishing off a lovely team move with a shot into the bottom left corner.
The left-back was on hand to grab a second of the match in the 90th minute as North Sunshine were stretched at the back, allowing Jordan Lauton to get in behind before squaring it for Markovic to pass into an empty net.
Preston Lions were held to a shock draw at Ballarat City, allowing United to join them in third with Melbourne Victory only two points away and Melbourne City an additional two points clear at the top.
Calder United NPL Victoria Girls Under 19’s
Calder United 3-1 Box Hill United
Goal scorers: F.Iaria (49’, 66’), L.Ivey (53’)
Riding an unbeaten start to the 2022 season, Josip Loncaric’s Calder United Under 19’s were out to keep that going and remain top of the table with a win over Box Hill United.
Calder needed a big second half to beat Box Hill in Round 1 and needed one again as the sides went into half-time locked at 0-0.
Fiorina Iaria stepped up with a hat-trick in that game and was again pivotal here, opening the scoring with her 10th goal of the year in the 49th minute.
It was a triple blast in just 17 minutes for Calder as Lily Ivey scored four minutes later before Iaria added a second in the 66th minute. Box Hill got one back with just over 10 minutes to play but Calder held onto an important three points, keeping its place atop the league.
Calder United NPLW Senior’s
Calder United 2-0 Box Hill United
Goal scorers: E.Robers (9’), S.Papadopoulos (69’)
Calder United’s Senior’s have made a habit of dominating first halves but having nothing to show for it of late, so Mark Torcaso would have been delighted when Emma Robers struck early for his side against Box Hill United.
The No.11 hit a clean strike with her left foot from outside of the box that flew into the net, but following that it looked to be more of the same for Calder as the side did everything but add to the scoreboard.
Stacey Papadopoulos continued her fine form with a fourth goal in as many games in the 69th minute, burying Harriet Withers’ cutback to cap off a brilliant team move.
Torcaso’s side continued to go in search of more goals and on another day might have had a handful, but would ultimately have to settle for just the 2-0 win.
It was an important one for Calder who drew 0-0 with Box Hill in Round 1 and made it four wins in a row without conceding a goal, keeping the pressure right on at the top of the table.
