Round 11 Preview – NPL 3 NSW Men’s

Strap yourselves in for another electrifying weekend as we bear down upon the halfway point of the National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s competition.

For those who enjoy their Friday night football then this is your round with two matches set to take place that evening with the remaining fixtures set for the usual kick off slot on Saturday.

We could not have asked for a better way to begin the round as Bankstown City line up against Magic while there is a blockbuster installed for Saturday as Inter Lions do battle with the Pirates.

Round 11 action kicks off at Jensen Park on Friday night with Bankstown City FC going head to head against Gladesville Ryde Magic at 7:30pm.

Both sides suffered uncharacteristic defeats last round with the hosts going down 4-3 at Inter while Gladesville were stunned into submission by the Pirates at Pluim Park.

This is a fixture that never fails to disappoint with plenty of action as well as the added spice of a number of ex-Magic players in Bankstown colours.

So, you would not be remiss to expect a fiery battle between the two sides as they look to close out the first half of the campaign on a high.

We will be treated with another Friday night fixture as Inner West Hawks FC make the short trip to Camperdown to meet Sydney University SFC with kick off set for 8:15pm.

A comprehensive victory could see the Hawks move off the foot of the table for the first time this season. If they beat Uni by three or more goals, they will switch places with their opponents and begin the second half of the draw with a renewed sense of hope.

However, Uni showed plenty of promise in their stalemate with Bankstown and will be hoping that home comfort will get them over the line in this contest.

Heading to Arlington Oval where Dulwich Hill FC will be welcoming Bankstown United FC at 7pm on Saturday.

A resolute performance from Dully saw them become only one of two sides in the top four to come away with maximum points in round 10.

Meanwhile, United racked up four points from their last two matches at Jensen Park and have shown that they are more than capable of a shock result after they dished out Rydalmere’s first defeat of the season.

Dunbar Rovers FC will have to come out all guns blazing if they want to get a result from their clash with leaders Rydalmere Lions FC at Heffron Park on Saturday night.

Dunbar were the Hawks’ first victim of the season last time out so confidence may not be sky high at Heffron Park as they entertain the side with the meanest defence in the competition.

The signing of ex-Northern Tigers and St George striker, Liam McConaghy, may prove to be a masterstroke for the eastern suburbs club as they look to address their potency in the final third.

Majors Bay Reserve will be the venue for what promises to be a thrilling encounter as Inter Lions FC face off against Central Coast United FC at 7pm.

What is there to say? Well, Inter are on a three match winning streak which has seen them glide up the ladder while back-to-back home wins against some of the league’s big hitters has the Pirates flying high in fifth position.

Patrick Fouracre will be between the sticks for Inter as he deputises for the suspended Daniel Axford. Fouracre was called upon in his side’s thrilling victory over Bankstown and already displayed plenty of quality which he will have to carry through into Saturday’s meeting.

Central Coast will be looking to exploit this forced change as Stu Davis relies on the trusted firepower of Josh Swadling who continues to make his way onto the scoresheet week in, week out.

Two sides looking to turn their season’s around will play each other at the Crest Athletic Centre as Canterbury Bankstown FC takes on Macarthur Rams FC at 7pm.

A three match league losing streak has seen Berries slide down the table at an alarming rate. Another defeat this weekend could see them drop into second last following a torrid few weeks.

The Rams’ form does not make for much better reading with two defeats on the trot after what was a highly profitable fortnight which saw them collect back-to-back wins.

They are currently sitting in eighth and all three points this weekend could in fact see them slot into the top six depending on results elsewhere.

-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwartz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)