Western United took on Preston Lions in NPL 2 Victoria Round 4, the Junior Academy teams had a first double header and Calder United fought for a trophy over an action packed weekend.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Senior’s
Western United 0-1 Preston Lions
United’s Under 23’s have had a number of fierce battles against Preston Lions since the inaugural season in 2021 and the two sides were set to do battle again at City Vista.
A fast start from both sides made for an entertaining occasion with plenty of tough challenges and transition moments going each way.
Much of United’s positivity came through Matthew Grimaldi in midfield and Max Bisetto had the team’s biggest chance when he was played through on goal, but he just couldn’t avoid the outstretched foot of the goalkeeper.
Lucas Trenkovski made an outstanding save for United just after the half hour but could do nothing minutes later when Preston took the lead, capitalising on a defensive mistake as Jamie Forrester put the visitors in front.
United pushed to square the ledger in the second half but Preston were able to defend strongly before being awarded a penalty late on, but Trenkovski was alive once again to make a top save.
Despite the best efforts, Diogo Ferreira’s side could not find the equaliser, falling to a second straight defeat in NPL 2.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s
Western United 4-1 Preston Lions
Goal scorers: T.Alisandratos (29’, p.76’), G.Greer (36’), L.Vickery (70’)
Western United’s Under 21’s had a perfect record to maintain while Preston Lions approached the game with quite the opposite motivation, looking for their first points of the season.
After a tight opening half hour, United finally broke the game open with two goals in quick succession as Thomas Alisandratos opened the scoring and Gus Greer netted the second.
Preston found a goal just before half-time to remain in the game, ensuring United still had work to do in the second period.
In much the same way as the first half played out, United found two quick goals to race clear of Preston, first from Luke Vickery and second from Alisandratos for his brace.
Vaughan Coveny’s side remains top of the league with Vickery and Alisandratos both in fine goalscoring form, already totaling five and six goals for the season respectively.
Western United Junior Academy teams
Western United’s Junior Academy teams had a double header for the first time this season with two games across the Labour Day long weekend, first against St Albans Saints and second against Caroline Springs George Cross.
The Under 14’s won both their matches by a combined score of 7-1 with seven different individual goal scorers across the two fixtures.
Matthew Di Lorenzo scored a hat-trick as the Under 15’s dispatched of St Albans before they were held to a 1-1 draw against George Cross.
Alex Marmura was in fine form for the Under 16’s with four goals over both games helping his side secure two wins.
The Under 18’s secured a late winner against St Albans on Sunday before a 2-2 draw with George Cross on the Monday.
Each team remains in the top four of its division with four grading matches remaining, starting with the toughest test yet against North Geelong Warriors at Elcho Park this weekend.
Western United Junior Academy scores
Under 14’s
Western United 5-1 St Albans Saints
Goal scorers: W.Ashburner (7’), Z.Nicola (10’), J.Woldegiorgis (17’), L.Nikoloski (29’), J.Vonja (42’)
Caroline Springs George Cross 0-2 Western United
Goal scorers: T.Cauchi (28’), L.Germano (38’)
Under 15’s
Western United 5-0 St Albans Saints
Goal scorers: A.Back (9’), M.Di Lorenzo (21’, 37’, 45’), N.Emtsis (54’)
Caroline Springs George Cross 1-1 Western United
Goal scorers: K.Leban (41’)
Under 16’s
Western United 5-3 St Albans Saints
Goal scorers: A.Marmura (4’, 14’, 54’), S.Maden Limbu (62’), M.Samaras (75’)
Caroline Springs George Cross 1-2 Western United
Goal scorers: A.Marmura (69’), K.Acar (79’)
Under 18’s
Western United 1-0 St Albans Saints
Goal scorers: L.Grundy (87’)
Caroline Springs George Cross 2-2 Western United
Goal scorers: C.Dermentzoglou (2’, 39’)
Calder United claim first silverware of the season with Community Shield win
Calder United 3-2 Bulleen Lions
L.Richards (19’), K.Hieda (66’), A.Mitchell (83’)
Calder United won the first piece of silverware of the NPLW Victoria season, defeating Bulleen Lions 3-2 to secure the FV Women’s Community Shield.
It’s the fifth time in a row that Calder has won the title as a new-look team aims to continue the clubs rich history of success.
Nathan Maiorana led the team for the first time with new signings Lucy Richards, Keiwa Hieda and Alexis Mitchell scoring the goals that won the match for the team.
Read the full match report here.
Calder United junior girls
All three of Calder United’s junior teams were back in action, with the Under 13’s and Under 15’s both defeating Southern United, while the Under 17’s fell to a 1-0 loss.
Calder United junior scores
Under 13’s: Calder United 2-0 Southern United
Goal scorers: S.Tanarte-Crook, E.Colosimo
Under 15’s: Calder United 2-0 Southern United
Goal scorers: J.Struklec, I.Joveska
Under 17’s: Calder United 0-1 Southern United
