Round 9 Preview – NPL 4 NSW Men’s
Football NSW’s Justin Smith dissects round 9 of the National Premier Leagues 4 NSW Men’s competition with three matches taking shape on Saturday and two on Sunday to close in what will be an entertaining round of football.
South Coast Flame FC v Nepean FC; Saturday 12th September, 6:30pm @ Ian Mclennan Park
Everything seems to come in twos for South Coast Flame this season. After two wins in rounds three and four, the team from south of Sydney have gone on to draw two, then indeed lose two. Too top it all off, guess how many goals they conceded last week at Fraser Park? Now with the visit of a free-scoring Nepean outfit, they will be hoping too to upset this week’s visitors.
Free scoring indeed, round eight saw a change of fortunes for Nepean FC. After previously struggling to turn chances into goals the weeks previous. Nepean FC made sure of their victory against Parramatta FC courtesy of the Mitch Mclintock and Majid Eslami show. Mclintock with the hat-trick, Eslami with the brace. Although having dropped a game against Hurstville the week previous, maybe they are vulnerable in this one.
Hawkesbury City FC v Granville Rage; Saturday 12th September, 7pm @ David Bertenshaw Field
There are few certainties in life. Death, taxes and a Hawkesbury City FC victory at David Bertenshaw Park? Yes, the Hawks having not dropped a point at home this season. Firstly, beating Camden Tigers in round two before beating both Parramatta FC and Hurstville FC within a week. In that victory over Hurstville, it was Brad Gibson who picked up his first of the season with fifteen minutes to go.
One of the four teams in NSW to yet pick up a win. Granville Rage will be determined to change that this weekend. Last weekend they were close, going down to Camden Tigers on the road. With three games remaining and semi-finals out of sight, they will be determined to put on a show and secure their first victory Saturday night.
Hurstville FC v Camden Tigers FC; Saturday 12th September, 7pm @ Ilinden Sports Centre
Momentum halted; Hurstville FC will attempt to pick themselves up after a set back in round eight. In said setback, the visitors were simply outrun during a tough second half out in Hawkesbury. Now, they cannot afford another loss if they are looking for a top half position this season and you have to back them as favorites at home.
Camden Tigers on the other hand, come into a fixture winners for the first time in 2020. Last weekend they did just about enough to come out winners over the Granville Rage. As the season creeps towards its conclusion, the Tigers are getting closer to a full ninety-minute performance. With the chance to draw level with this week’s opposition on the table, they will not be easy to beat in this one.
Parramatta FC v Fraser Park FC; Sunday 13th September, 3pm @ Melita Stadium
Things do not get any easier for Parramatta FC. After going down to Nepean FC in heavy fashion last weekend, they welcome defending champions Fraser Park this weekend. If last week served as a learning curve for some of the squad, this fixture stands as the perfect test. Look out for Adrian Epifanino though, he can sure hit a free kick.
Quietly going along, doing the business. Alex Araujo has certainly made a good start to his tenure at Fraser Park. The leagues top scorers rebounded after a disappointing trip to Bathurst in steady fashion. Overcoming the South Coast Flame at home thanks to goals to Cam Philpot and one game a month Dominic Siu. Jokes aside, its hard to see Fraser Park being stopped in this one.
UNSW FC v Prospect United SC; Sunday 13th September, 7pm @ Lambert Park
I know whose door I’m going too this Halloween, cause Prospect United love sharing. After a brief break from their drawing ways, they returned to it giving their poor coach a heart attack in the process with a 4-4 draw against Western NSW FC. In saying all this, I am sure they will be happy with a point against the league leaders this weekend.
Speaking of which, UNSW FC returned to the summit last Tuesday. Against a brave Western NSW FC outfit, the students had to wait till late to secure the three points. Peter Prandalos finding the net for the first time in 2020 from a corner. Before Maison Mcgeechan capped off the win from a one on one opportunity after his team won the ball high. With the finish line in sight, they will want to strike a blow here.
Round 6 result: UNSW FC 2-0 Western NSW FC
Western NSW FC – Bye
Justin Smith (Twitter: @smiththejustin)
