Western United will host Whittlesea Ranges at Epping Stadium on Saturday with the aim of remaining in touch with the top two teams in NPL 3 Victoria.
The Match
Western United vs Whittlesea Ranges
Saturday, 3 July
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Epping Stadium
Last time out
Western United came from behind twice in the last game to earn an important point, drawing 2-2 with Melbourne Victory.
Adisu Bayew and Manny Aguek continued their brilliant seasons with a goal each in the game. Aguek is now up to nine goals in 11 games across the season.
Substitute Abel Walatee nearly put Ante Moric’s men in front with under 10 minutes remaining, but a good save from Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Marko Bulic kept the scores level.
The point took the side into outright third place after Melbourne City’s defeat to Nunawading, and it also brought United closer to the top after Preston Lions were stunned by Springvale White Eagles over the weekend.
The opponent
Whittlesea Ranges have found themselves in a very harsh run of fixtures of late. After the game against Western United this weekend, Ranges will have played the top five teams in the league all within the last six games.
So, while the team is currently on a run of six games without a win, Whittlesea have been forced to come up against some of the strongest teams in the competition.
Whittlesea conceded four goals in each of its last two games, but the 4-0 defeat to Box Hill last time out wasn’t helped by a 15th minute red card to Andrew Kiir.
Ranges are currently second last on the table with two wins to their name, but will be eager to pull away from the bottom of the league with a win here.
Season stats
Aguek’s recent form has placed him equal second in the NPL 3 golden boot race, with only Nunawading’s Daniel Maclennan above him on 10 league goals.
Western United is on a run of two games without a win for the first time this season. Despite having only lost one match, a league-high five draws have left the side slightly behind at the top of the table.
Whittlesea has the league’s least penetrative attack with nine goals scored this season, and a goal difference of -21 is better only than Ballarat City’s.
