Round 2 Preview – NPL 4 NSW Men’s
Rain? Raining Goals? After a tight, reserved start to the NPL4 Men’s Competition last Saturday Night, the forecast has us looking forward to a free scoring round two.
Western NSW FC v Parramatta FC. Saturday 25th July, 3pm @ Marjorie Jackson Field
Two first start winners kick off the NPL4 weekend as Western NSW host Parramatta FC in this campaign’s sole fixture in Lithgow.
Things could not have gone much better for Western NSW FC in round one. Having come away from their fixture against Camden Tigers earlier this year with only a point. They went and bettered it claiming all three courtesy of a Paul Long goal. This week, they face another opposition of which they played back in March and Mark Rookes men will want to solidify their defense having conceded six on that occasion.
If the sign of a good team is how many players get on the scoresheet, there are no better than Parramatta FC this season. Last weekend, four separate goal scorers combined in a ruthless performance in front of goal. Having beaten Western NSW already this year, you would be a brave man to bet against them in this one.
Prospect United SC v Fraser Park FC. Saturday 25th July, 7pm @ Blacktown Football Park No.1
By the time, this game kicks off, it will have been 133 days since champions Fraser Park took the field in a first-grade fixture. There to welcome them back are Prospect United, a tricky tie at the best of times.
Well the good news is, Prospect United did not concede in their round one fixture and look as hard as ever to break down. The bad news, they did not really show their potential at the other end. If this week’s hosts are going to make a dent in this shortened season, Stephen Vukovic will prove key. The striker/attacking midfielder was menacing against Hurstville and will be looking to open his account come Saturday night.
Their opposition are still very much an unknown quantity. Having undergone substantial change after their 2019 exploits. Alex Araujo’s Fraser Park were just taking shape when lockdown hit, securing a confidence building 1-0 win out at Cook Park. In that one, it was the existing players Shu Torihara and Cam Philpot who created the goal, in a stoic defensive performance.
Nepean FC v Granville Rage. Saturday 25th July, 7pm @ Cook Park No.1 (St Mary’s)
Saturday cannot come soon enough. Nepean FC come into their next fixture against Granville Rage with momentum behind them after a last gasp win last weekend.
Yep, it is the kind of win a head coach can build his tenure upon. Having been down a goal to Hawkesbury City, Nepean FC willed themselves to a crucial win at home. Starring for them? Mitchell Mclintock, the striker scoring his first goals for the club. Goals which are bound to endear him to the rowdy Cook Park faithful.
Make no mistake, this one will not be easy for the home side. Granville Rage played some good football against league highflyers Parramatta FC. Their undoing? defending set pieces. Having conceded from both a corner and a free kick in the second half. The visitors will be hoping Rylan Sadler can snag another goal following a quality left foot volley last time out.
Hawkesbury City FC v Camden Tigers FC. Saturday 25th July, 7pm @ David Bertenshaw Field
Based on recent history, this clash promises Goals! Goals for the home side that is. Nine goals scored in their two contests last season, so is history going to repeat Saturday night or are we in for a close affair?
The hosts Hawkesbury City will come into the contest battle hardened after just losing out in a tight affair at Cook Park. Kwadwo Boamah Addai opened the scoring but the side from Sydney’s north west could not hold on against a determined Nepean FC. Now with a winnable game this weekend, they will be looking to the likes of Greg Kondek, Boamah Addai and Emanuel Ponce to make a difference at home.
Camden Tigers on the other hand were the league’s biggest case of “What if’s” in round one of this shortened season. They seemed to hit everything but the back of the net at home to Western NSW. Now they face their first away trip of the season, keen to show a bit more of a ruthless streak in the front third.
UNSW FC v Hurstville FC. Saturday 25th July, 7pm @ Lambert Park
Let’s talk about bogey sides, UNSW FC host one of theirs in Hurstville FC this weekend at Lambert Park.
I have been writing in this division for two years and UNSW FC have only won once against this week’s visitors. You better believe I am going to pull out the well-worn bogey narrative then. Hey, maybe it will prove a good distraction from their ongoing injury toll? Last weekend, Nima Beik was the latest to join the casualty ward in a 0-0 result against South Coast Flame.
They face a Hurstville FC side who will be quietly confident about their chances. By now, we all know what to expect from this side, and why change it when it is as effective as it is? Crucial to their chances will be Paul Gagro who created quite a few chances against Prospect United last weekend.
Bye: South Coast Flame.
DON’T FORGET TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AT OUR MATCHES THIS WEEKEND – STAY SAFE
By Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
