The Weekly Wrap

The Western United weekly wrap is a quick-fire around the grounds summary of results from our NPL 3 men’s and NPLW women’s teams.

This report sums up the games from the week ending Sunday 16 May 2021.

NPL 3 – Western United Academy Teams

The NPL teams played host to a strong and vocal Preston Lions at the Lions’ home venue, BT Connor Reserve on Friday night.

The Under 21’s kicked-off the night in what turned out to be a tough match between two competitive sides. Jake Najdovski converted a penalty in the 31st minute to trail 1-2 at the half time break. United came out the stronger and more organised team in the second half hitting the lead 3-2 with goals from James Tountas and Oliver Lavale but the win was denied with a late equaliser in the 88th minute.

The senior team started slow with both teams playing cautious. However, it was the Lions who struck first with a goal in the 17th minute in front of a vocal home crowd. United replied just three minutes later with Nicolas Milanovic tapping home a beautiful cut-back from Adisu Bawey. With the score locked at 1-1 at half time, the 3,000 strong crowd was set for an exciting second half. The Lions team and crowd were all stunned when their captain Lyvidikos was sent off 15 minutes into the second half. The remaining half hour was controlled and dominated by United, with plenty of posession and the ball hitting both the post and crossbar in two separate attacks. Neither team were able to score a winner, with both teams sharing the points.

NPL 3 Under 23’s team vs Preston Lions

Final score: 1-1 Draw

WUFC goal scorers: N. Milanovic 20′

NPL 3 Under 21’s team vs Preston Lions

Final score: 3-3 Draw

WUFC goal scorers: J. Najdovski 31′(P), J. Tountas 67′, O. Lavale89′

NPLW – Calder United FC

Our women in the NPLW were back at home on Friday night with our Under 19’s team playing NTC U17 and our senior women hosting FV Emerging.

Our Under 19’s and reigning 2019 premiership team kicked-off Friday night against the NTC U17 side at our home ground, Keilor Park Reserve. Trailing 0-2 at the break, Montanna Mathews scored early in the half but any chance of a comeback was quickly quelled with a goal two minutes later. The match finished 1-4 against a strong NTC U17 team.

Our senior women opened the scoring in the first minute of the match with a dangerous Melindaj Barbieri free-kick placed into the box and was unable to be cleared resulting in an own goal. FV Emerging had a fantastic chance to equalise only a moment later however, United keeper Alyssa Dall’Oste made a brilliant right-handed save when a cross was headed down from point blank range. The rest of the first half was played out with neither team able to convert any of their few half chances.

The second half was dominated by United and the lead doubled eight minutes into the second half with Catherine Zimmerman heading home a beautiful cross from Aleks Sinclair in open play. United enjoyed the majority of possession as well as the majority of chances in the remainder of the half, however, were unable to extend their lead.

NPLW Senior team vs FV Emerging

Final score: 2-0 Win

CUSC goal scorers: C. Mihocic 1′(OG), C. Zimmerman 55′

NPLW Under 19’s team vs NTC U17

Final score: 1-4 Loss

CUSC goal scorers: M. Mathews 52′

Watch the full senior match below:

UPCOMING MATCH DETAILS

The NPL men will travel to Nunawading City on Saturday afternoon looking to record our fifth win for the season and in the process stop Nunawading’s recent three match winning streak.

Calder United will travel to Box Hill on Saturday afternoon looking to continue their form and keep the pressure on ladder leaders South Melbourne, who are three points ahead, while Box Hill are looking to turn their season around and record their second win of the season.

NPL 3 Round 9 Match Details

Seniors (U23’s)

Nunawading City FC vs Western United

Saturday, 22 May

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Mahoneys Reserve, Forest Hill

Under 21’s

Details as above with kick-off prior to senior team at 1:00pm.

Click here for Western United’s 2021 NPL 3 fixture.

NPLW Round 7 – Calder United Match Details

NPLW Senior team

Box Hill SC vs Calder United