Western United will return to UTAS Stadium for two more home matches this weekend with the confidence of a strong record across the Bass Strait.
This will be the second edition of the Macca’s Festival of Football after United first visited the Apple Aisle in 2021, facing off against Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix.
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The Green and Black even took over Launceston earlier this season with an away meeting against Perth Glory. United has won twice and drawn once in the three games at UTAS Stadium so far, and John Aloisi will be out to ensure his side remains undefeated in Tasmania.
April 17, 2021 – Western United 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
Western United’s first match in Tasmania came almost a year ago to the day when the Green and Black faced off against Central Coast Mariners.
United got off to the perfect start when Connor Pain linked up with Besart Berisha before storming into the box and slotting a strike into the bottom left corner just five minutes in.
Alessandro Diamanti was in fine form on the night with a number of quality passes, with one in particular that set up Iker Guarrotxena to come close in the first half.
Ryan Scott made a couple of crucial saves to ensure United held onto the lead as the side secured all three points on its Tasmanian debut.
April 22, 2021 – Western United 1-1 Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix was next to challenge Western United at UTAS Stadium, and both sides created a fantastic spectacle with a tight contest.
Just like in the Mariners much there was an early goal, but this time it went to the opposition as Ben Waine converted for Wellington from Ulises Davila’s cross.
Western United worked its way back into the match and Lachie Wales scored a lovely equaliser in the 27th minute, finishing off a great team move with a curling strike into the bottom corner.
Brendan Hamill was sent off before half-time but United managed to grind out the draw, despite Davila striking the post in the final few minutes.
February 27, 2022 – Perth Glory 0-2 Western United
Border restrictions meant Perth Glory played some home matches at UTAS Stadium earlier in this season, but this one had the look and feel of a Western United home game with a great turnout of Green and Black in the stands.
United was dominant from the outset and found the breakthrough just before half-time, when Nikolai Topor-Stanley went on a mazy run to set up Aleksandar Prijovic to sweep home a shot on his left foot.
Aloisi’s men continued to push for a second and Dylan Pierias – who was outstanding all night – found it shortly after the restart with a close-range finish from Ben Garuccio’s low cross.
Western United was able to control the remainder of the contest and pick up a second win in a row at the time, and the players will be hoping for more of the same this weekend.
