Round 8 Preview – NPL 4 NSW Men’s
Check out the official National Premier Leagues 4 NSW Men’s Preview as Justin Smith dissects the upcoming round in what promises to be yet another exciting and entertaining weekend of football action.
Nepean FC v Parramatta FC; Saturday 5th September, 6pm @ Cook Park No.1 (St Marys)
Winless in three, Nepean FC will welcome some familiar faces to Cook Park this weekend. The hosts have not recovered from their bye three weeks ago, since then going down to UNSW FC and Hurstville whilst drawing with Camden Tigers. Last weekend saw them not find the net for the first time in 23 fixtures (excluding fixtures played in March).
As mentioned above, Parramatta FC have no less then five 2019 Nepean players in their squad. So, they will not need to look to far for motivation. Ali Dulleh and Clement Waoci continue to be threats up front, but it is the work of midfielder Ramiz Goria which is impressing his teammates. The midfielder working tirelessly to make an interception or tackle.
Prospect United SC v Western NSW FC; Saturday 5th September, 7pm @ Blacktown Football Park No.1
Finally, after six frustrating weeks, Prospect United had reason to celebrate with their round seven victory over South Coast Flame. The visitors on that occasion put together a strong second half performance led by David Moreira Muller. Now with an outside shot at Semi-Finals, they will be looking to make it back to back for the first time since round 22 last year.
Their opposition Western NSW FC will come into the clash encouraged after a solid round seven outing. In that game, a Paul Long goal gave the hosts the lead before showing a resolute defense to hold Fraser Park to the one goal. With a clash against a strong UNSW FC side scheduled for the following Tuesday, they will want to get points from this one.
Fraser Park FC v South Coast Flame FC; Saturday 5th September, 7pm @ Fraser Park
Not the first team to travel over the mountains and get frustrated. Fraser Park will be wanting to flex their muscles at home against the South Coast Flame. Last weekend they were held to a draw despite having 19 shots on goal. In their past two home games, they have scored 7 goals whilst not conceding and they will be boosted by the return of Shu Torihara this weekend.
The wake up call they needed? South Coast Flame have made their home, Ian Mclennan Park a tough place to travel too. Imagine our surprise then at last week’s result? You could say the visitors put a dent in their prospects… This week they will need to be at their best facing an imposing challenge against the league’s best attack. So, keeper Matt White and his defense will need to be on guard.
Camden Tigers FC v Granville Rage; Saturday 5th September, 7pm @ Ron Dine Stadium
Well, this fixture is either going to go one of two ways. A scoreless draw because they are the two lowest scorers in the competition. Or a goal fest because they have the worst defenses in the competition.
Camden Tigers come into the clash having gone down bravely last weekend against Parramatta FC. For periods of that game, they looked a million bucks. But they also spent a fair amount of time on the backfoot and unfortunately that defined the fixture. Parramatta just being good enough to take the honors.
Granville Rage on the other hand, went down to UNSW FC on the road. Without a home in 2020, you just sense that is catching up to them, last week breaking a scoring drought which lasted three fixtures. The goal coming from Jayden Nakhoul.
Hawkesbury City FC v Hurstville FC; Saturday 5th September, 7pm @ David Bertenshaw Field
So, confession time. I forgot to put a match recap in last weeks review (So look below for it). In that game, Hawkesbury City secured a positive result against Parramatta FC. With three straight home games starting this weekend, the team from Sydney’s north west could be semi-finals bound.
Big game players. Hurstville FC are starting to build a little reputation, one of rising for a big game. Having previously conquered Newcastle Jets in the now meaningless March fixtures, they went and did it again last weekend against Nepean FC. Once again it was a win achieved from back to front, making themselves hard to beat at one end, whilst striking efficiently at the other. Don’t count them out of this one.
Hawkesbury City FC 2-1 Parramatta FC
A dominant first half saw Hawkesbury City FC pick up an important victory over Parramatta FC last Wednesday night.
The visitors were fastest out of the blocks, finding the net first but the goal was written off because the ball had crossed the line. In response, Hawkesbury City had their best period of the match scoring two. Callum Elliot was first up running onto a through ball before Daniel Morsillo played a one two with Gregory Kondek. Kondek then having the chances to extend the lead.
The half time break saw the game even up, well that and a red card to either side just before. And the visitors found the net. Clement Waoci finishing after a free kick cannoned off the post. But it was not to be, City shooting up the table to fifth position.
UNSW FC — Bye
By Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
