Round 9 Preview – NPL 4 NSW Men’s
The National Premier Leagues 4 NSW Men’s competition gifts us a huge weekend of enjoyable matchups.
Our Match of the Round takes us to Ron Dine Stadium as the Camden Tigers host Western Rage.
Elsewhere in NPL 4 Hawkesbury travel to Bathurst to face Western NSW, Fraser Park and Parramatta FC battle at the Melita, Nepean host the dangerous Newcastle Jets, UNSW travel down south the face the South Coast Flame and Hurstville FC round out the weekend when they lock horns with Prospect United
Match of the Round
Camden Tigers FC vs Western Rage, 7pm @ Ron Dine Stadium
Our Match of the Round finds out in the South-West as Camden return to their beloved Ron Dine Stadium as they prepare to host Western Rage. Camden sit just three points outside the top five, a result here and other results going their way could see them leapfrog into the top five, with two games in hand.
Camden have been impressive of late and will expect to continue their run against the Rage come Saturday. For the Granville based side it’s been a tough month, with a run of bad injuries the Rage only managed one point in April and will be desperate for a string of good results to re-ignite their season. Western Rage have shown signs of improvement, including an impressive first half display against Parramatta last week and will want to convert this into a positive result against the Tigers.
Previous Matchup: Camden Tigers FC 3-2 Western Rage
Western NSW FC vs Hawkesbury City FC, 3pm @ Proctor Park
Western NSW host a resurgent Hawkesbury side firing on all cylinders. The Bathurst based side come into this matchup on the back off a disappointing effort hosting Hurstville last week. Western NSW has struggled to field a consistent team due to injuries and suspensions and will hope to regain some squad clarity and depth over the coming weeks as they bid to fight off the bottom of the table.
Hawkesbury City continue to play on the road as they resume a somewhat normal training regime and begin to come back to full strength. The Hawks hit a slight bump in form after a tough loss to Newcastle on ANZAC Day but will hope to return to their winning ways and continue to add pressure to an already tight finals race.
Previous Matchup: Western NSW FC 0-3 Hawkesbury City FC
Parramatta FC vs Fraser Park FC, 5pm @ Melita Stadium
It’s a clash of the giants as Parramatta battle with Fraser Park, in a match that could have huge implications for the title race. Parramatta returned to the winners circle last week and will feel confident of giving the league-leading Fraser Park a run for their money. Ali Dulleh could become a problem for the visitors after he netted a brace last week and sits second on the golden boot tally.
Standing in the Eagle’s way is a red-hot Fraser Park side yet to lose a match. Fraser Park continued their great run with an impressive 3-1 win over Nepean and have become one of the most clinical sides in-front of goal. Scoring thirty goals in their first eight, Fraser Park are priding themselves on challenging Newcastle for the best attack in the league. They should be favoured to win, however Parramatta are a strong side and cannot be taken lightly.
Previous Matchup: Parramatta FC 1-3 Fraser Park FC
Nepean FC vs Newcastle Jets FC, 7pm @ Cook Park
Nepean have run into what will easily be their two toughest games in consecutive weeks. After last week’s loss to Fraser Park they now have the challenge of trying to contain the lethal Newcastle Jets. Nepean will be eager to gain something from this match as they work around their own injuries to key first-team players.
Newcastle continue to show their dominance on the league and will expect nothing less than all three points. For the Jets it’s been a consistent opening couple of months as they’ve proved to everyone in NPL 4 they’re the most clinical side in-front of goal. Blake Archbold has proven to be the danger man this season for Newcastle with six goals, including a brace last week.
Previous Matchup: N/A
South Coast Flame FC vs UNSW FC, 7pm @ Ian McLennan Park
The Flame host UNSW in a matchup that could prove critical for either side. Both sides are separated by just a point on the table and will be eager to jump ahead of each other come Saturday night. South Coast head into the matchup on the heels of a disappointing loss to Prospect where they were left ruing their missed chances on goal. It’s been the story of their season thus far and will hope to convert on their chances to walk away with a positive result.
For UNSW they find themselves in a similar situation and will be desperate to turn their season around as they are still close to the top five with plenty of games to play. UNSW also face their own injury crisis with around seven key players out for an extended period. With both sides eager to turn their season’s around it’s sure to create an entertaining match for all involved.
Previous Matchup: South Coast Flame FC 2-1 UNSW FC (FFA Cup)
Hurstville FC vs Prospect United SC, 7pm @ Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Hurstville and Prospect round out the weekend as they battle in Rockdale. Hurstville have staked their mark in the top five as they comfortably sit seven points above sixth. Hurstville will be without standout goalkeeper Michael Rutherford as he serves his suspension for a red-card last week. Matthew Massarotto will likely step between the sticks after an outstanding substitute display last week, saving a penalty in the later stages against Western NSW
Prospect will wary of the threat that Hurstville possess and will need a defensive display similar to last week in order to get a result. Prospect have proven to be a tough outfit to go against will be no push-over in this matchup. David Moreira Muller will look to be the main threat again as he leads all scorers for Prospect this season.
Previous Matchup: Hurstville FC 0-0 Prospect United SC
By NPL 4 NSW Men’s writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
