Western United NPL Weekly Wrap: Hard fought weekend

Nick Hughes

May 11, 2023 | 2:05PM AET

Western United faced a difficult weekend in NPL football with the senior sides taking on Northcote City and the junior sides meeting North Geelong Warriors, while Calder United travelled to face FV Emerging.

Western United 0-1 Northcote City

Western United was out to return to winning ways in NPL 2 Victoria but faced an in-form Northcote City side with sights set on climbing up the table.

United gave Michael Vonja a senior debut in goal and put in a remarkable display, making one particularly tremendous save from point blank range.

But the 17-year-old could do nothing as Northcote took the lead in the 69th minute when Steve Sokol finished off a tidy bit of build-up play.

Diogo Ferreira's side pushed for a leveller but it proved a frustrating afternoon with chances hard to come by as the team had to make do with defeat.

Western United 1-1 Northcote City

Goal scorers: C.Dovison (80’)

Western United's Under 21's hoped to provide a happier ending to the evening, but they too laboured through the 90 minutes against Northcote City.

The two sides headed into half-time locked at 0-0, but Northcote came out of the break the sharper team and hit the lead barely 10 minutes into the second period.

Facing the prospect of a first loss of the season, United went in search of an equaliser and called upon one of its star players to get it as Campbell Dovison scored his ninth of the season in the 80th minute.

Vaughan Coveny's side couldn't find a winner in the match but ensured its unbeaten run in the league continues, with United remaining top of the league.

Western United's Junior Academy teams enjoyed their first home fixtures in the JBNPL 1 season, christening the brand new Alcock Road Reserve in Truganina against North Geelong Warriors.

After a series of tough meetings in the pre-qualification period, the two clubs split the results again with two wins apiece.

The Under 14's fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat despite Jordan Vonja's early opener before the Under 15's picked up a 4-2 win after being reduced to 10 players.

It was a heavy 5-1 defeat for the Under 15's but the Under 18's rounded out the day in style, making it two wins from two to start the season with a strong 3-0 triumph.

Under 14's

Western United 1-2 North Geelong Warriors

Goal scorer: J.Vonja (4’)

Under 15's

Western United 4-2 North Geelong Warriors

Goal scorers: A.Borek (18’), N.Yohannes (30’), N.Alumbulwa (42’), N.Grieve (67’)

Under 16's

Western United 1-5 North Geelong Warriors

Goal scorer: J.Lettieri (36’)

Under 18's

Western United 3-0 North Geelong Warriors

Goal scorers: L.Grundy (54’), G.Aldieri (58’), K.Acar (73’)

FV Emerging 1-1 Calder United

Goal scorer: L.Richards (55’)

Calder United took a great deal of confidence from its victory over Heidelberg United in the previous fixture into a Friday night clash against FV Emerging.

With both sides entering the round separated by just one point, it was set to be a closely-fought battle with chances at both ends throughout the first half, though neither side was able to find the opening goal.

Calder came out of the half-time break looking to seize control of the match and took the lead in the 55th minute with Lucy Richards’ first goal for the club, against her former side.

After a corner was half cleared, the right-back brought the ball under control with her right-foot and quickly swung her left boot through the ball amidst oncoming pressure, sending the ball crashing in off the crossbar.

Calder's first-half dominance might had its reward but Emerging hit back minutes later, breaking down the left-hand side before bringing the ball across the face of goal for Emilie Keppens to tap home at the back post.

An engrossing contest failed to produce any further goals as both sides settled for a point on a wet night in Knox.

NTC U17 4-0 Calder United

Calder United's Under 19's entered a crucial top of the table clash against NTC U17, with both sides coming into the game sitting on perfect records.

But it was the hosts that took control of the match early on, claiming the lead in the 20th minute and carrying the advantage through to half-time.

Any hopes of a Calder comeback were dashed when NTC struck twice in a minute before the hour mark before adding a fourth with 10 minutes remaining, consigning Calder to a first loss of the season.

Calder United and FC Bulleen Lions couldn't be separated over three NPL Victoria Girls matches, leaving the sides close together on the table in each competition.

The Under 13's drew 1-1 while the Under 15's and Under 17's traded 3-0 results, Calder claiming the former and Bulleen winning the latter.

Under 13's: FC Bulleen Lions 1-1 Calder United

Goal scorer: P.Kingan

Under 15's: FC Bulleen Lions 0-3 Calder United

Goal scorers: A.Birdahic, L.Zomaya, C.Pinto Calleja

Under 17's: FC Bulleen Lions 3-0 Calder United