All the A-League Men sides have their respective academy prospects playing over the weekend across the country in the NPL competitions.
How are the A-League clubs U23s outfits travelling, which youngsters are shining?
Find out below!
Adelaide United
Competition: NPL SA
Current position: 10th (two wins, four losses)
Adelaide United recorded their second win of the season in Round Six of the South Australian NPL, recording a four goal victory on the road over Cumberland United.
The story of the game was the impressive NPL debut of 16-year-old Musa Toure who finished the game with a brace, having been subbed into the game in the 77th minute.
Midfielder Giuseppe Bovalina scored the goal and was driving force for United, with younger Luka Jovanovic was also an attacking threat who also scored in the side’s four goal victory.
Having conceded nine goals in their past two games, United would keep a clean sheet this week, with their defence putting in a better showing.
Brisbane Roar
Competition: NPL Queensland
Current position: 5th (one win, one draw, one loss)
The Brisbane recorded their first win of the season of the 2022 NPL Queensland competition, thumping Capalaba FC five goals to nil.
Defender Alec Mills was solid at the back and would help get the Roar off the mark, with his goal via a free kick breaking the deadlock early in the contest.
Josh Moreland had a busy day in midfield, he’d create plenty of chances throughout the night, and would go on a clever run en route to scoring the Roar’s second goal.
Having been a threat throughout the game up front, attacker Thomas Waddingham would be rewarded for effort, scoring the Roar’s final goal in injury time.
Central Coast Mariners
Competition: NPL NSW League One
Current position: 6th (one win, one draw, two losses)
Having won their first game of the season last week, the Mariners were able to extend their unbeaten run to two games, playing out a goalless draw against NWS Spirit FC.
The Spirit were the better of the two sides and were in control for most of the game, with the Mariners defence standing firm to keep a clean sheet.
Mariners keeper Patrick Beach was the side’s top performer in the draw, the 19-year-old coming up with multiple saves to keep his side in the game.
Macarthur FC
Competition: NPL NSW
Position: 11th (one win, four losses)
Northbridge Bulls had a tough day in their Round Five NPL clash over Manly United, going down 3-0 away from home.
Under constant pressure for most of the game, the Bulls defence did its best to keep Manly at bay, with goalkeeper Levi Kaye coming up with several good saves.
Despite putting up a good fight the Bulls would be broken late, with Manly scoring three goals inside the final 17 minutes of the game.
Melbourne City
Competition: NPL3 VIC
Position: 6th (one win, one draw, one loss)
Melbourne City would go down to Western United’s youth side 2-1, in what was a fiery contest. City would finish the game with nine men as Jordan Dellidis and stiker Max Caputo sent off.
After a scoreless opening half City would go a goal down in the 71st minute, before young striker Caputo scored an equaliser from the penalty spot. He would have a solid day out before his day was ended early, receiving a second yellow card four minutes from time.
Midfielder Luke Oresti was impressive in the side’s losing effort, while goalkeeper Ahmad Taleb put in some good saves to try keep Western United at bay.
Melbourne Victory
Competition: NPL3 VIC
Position: 7th (one win, one loss, one draw)
Melbourne Victory’s youngsters recorded their first win of the season, taking out a 2-1 win over Box Hill United at Epping Stadium.
William Wilson put in another impressive performance as he continues to develop in the NPL system, in addition to being driving force for the side in central midfield, he’d push forward to score the opening goal of the contest.
Coming off the bench in the 62nd minute, midfielder Anthony Leban was impactful once subbed in. He was good in midfield and capped his day off with the winning goal of the game.
Forward Binyam Kebede has threatening and had a decent game despite not finding the net, while keeper James Siekris was also solid between the sticks.
Newcastle Jets
Competition: NPL NSW League Three
Current position: 2nd (three wins)
Newcastle v UNSW postponed
Perth Glory
Competiton: NPL Western Australia
Current Position: 7th (one win, one loss)
The Perth Glory would go down 3-1 to Floreat Athena in Round Three of the NPL West, with Perth’s youngsters putting in a spirited showing against one of the top sides in the state.
It would be a tough start to the game for the Glory, down by 1-0 early in the game, and going a man down after captain Jacob Muir was sent off in the seventh minute.
Glory’s midfielder Aidan Edwards would score an equaliser to help his side go in level at half time. He was amongst the side’s top players in the losing effort.
Level 1-1 at half time, Athena would run away with the game in the second half to record a two goal victory away from home.
Sydney FC
Competition: NPL NSW
Current position: 2nd (three wins, two draws)
The Sky Blues continued their undefeated start to the NPL season, recording their third win of the season over the the Sutherland Sharks.
Running out 4-3 winners, it was a highly entertaining game with striker Patrick Wood the clear man of the match, scoring a hat-trick to help down the Sharks.
Sydey midifelder Jaiden Kucharski was also impressive, scoring a goal late in the game to take all three points.
Wellington Phoenix
Competition: New Zealand Central League
Current position: 3rd (one win, one draw)
The Phoenix reserves recorded their first win of season in the NZL Central League, recording a 3-0 win over Petone FC.
Nix midfield duo Riley Bidois and Noah Karunaratne were impressive once again, creating chances with both of them finding the net.
Forward Sebastian Barton-Ginger was also influential and would score in his first appearance of the season.
Having recorded a draw last week, Wellington have started the season brightly, going their first two games unbeaten.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Competition: NPL NSW League One
Current Position: 2nd (3 wins, one loss)
The Wanderers had a cruisy game on the weekend over the Mounties Wanderers, recording a 5-2 win victory at home. 3-0 up at half time, Wanderers were challenged in the second half but would still run out three goal winners.
17-year-old forward Alexander Badolato was the side’s top performer, causing headaches all night for the Mounties defence, finishing the night with a brace.
Other goal scorers for Western Sydney were George Antonis, with the younger brother of Terry scoring his first goal of the season, Alessandro Lopane and Aiden Mostofi. All of whom had solid performances.
