Western United’s travelled to face Langwarrin SC in NPL 2 Victoria while Calder United hosted Southern United in NPLW.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Senior’s
Langwarrin SC 1-0 Western United
Western United was searching for a fifth straight victory in NPL 2 Victoria but came up against a Langwarrin side that is one of the most difficult to beat in the competition.
That is especially the case at home, and Langwarrin made it difficult for United to get into a rhythm from the outset in this one.
Despite that, the Green and Black had the majority of the chances but fell behind just after the half hour mark as Langwarrin seized the lead.
Diogo Ferreira’s side continued to push for an equaliser and dominated proceedings, spurning a number of opportunities in front of goal.
In the end it was not to be United’s day, and the afternoon was soured further as goalkeeper Lucas Trenkovski suffered a dislocated shoulder after a heavy collision at the end of the first half. Everyone wishes Lucas all the very best in his recovery and looks forward to seeing him back on the pitch.
Western United NPL 2 Men’s Under 21’s
Langwarrin SC 1-6 Western United
Goal scorers: C.Dovison (17’, 34’), T.Alisandratos (44’, 49’), A.Iedom (p.84’), N.Koek (89’)
Vaughan Coveny’s Under 21’s had no such troubles finding the back of the net, adding another bunch to the goals column with a 6-1 win.
Campbell Dovison got the ball rolling with a first half brace, notching up six goals in five games so far this season to put United in control.
Thomas Alisandratos then followed up with two goals of his own, taking him to the top of the golden boot charts with 11 goals for the season already.
Langwarrin pulled one back just before the hour mark but United remained dominant, adding two more goals in the final 10 minutes to rubber stamp the victory and stay three points clear at the top of the table.
Calder United NPLW Senior’s
Calder United 2-1 Southern United
Goal scorers: F.Iaria (73’), L.Richards (87’)
Calder United returned to NPLW Victoria action with a much-needed win on the mind when it played host to Southern United.
The league’s bottom team weren’t about to roll over against the reigning Champions, though, and took a first-half lead when a long-range free kick slipped through Lara El Hayek’s fingertips and into the back of the net.
Calder was left frustrated in its attempts to get back into the game, so Nathan Maoirana turned to 16-year-old Fiorina Iaria off the bench.
After netting 22 goals in 22 games for the Under 19’s last season, Iaria was brought on for her Senior NPLW debut and scored within three minutes of stepping onto the pitch.
It was a brilliant individual effort as she sprinted past Southern’s defensive line before burying a clinical left-footed finish from the top of the box on the left-hand side.
Iaria was heavily involved in the winner, too, as she latched onto a Bella Sewards through ball and won her side a corner.
That corner prompted a scramble in front of goal and the ball finally fell to Lucy Richards who thumped home into an empty net, getting Calder off the mark in the 2023 season.
Calder United Under 19’s
Calder United 2-1 Southern United
Goal scorers: M.Daskalovska (43’), N.Colosimo (76’)
Calder United’s Under 19’s continued their perfect start to the season, matching the Senior’s scoreline with a 2-1 win over Southern United.
Mia Daskalovska opened the scoring just before half-time but Calder were quickly pegged back after the break.
Just like the Senior’s, Calder needed to find a late goal at a point where it looked like a winner might not have been forthcoming.
But Natasha Colosimo stepped up in the 76th minute to score her first goal of the season and ensure a fourth successive win to start the season.
