Round 10 Preview – League Two Men’s
Round ten of the League Two Men’s competition gives us a blockbuster weekend, highlighted by the much anticipated Bankstown Derby at Jensen Park.
Our match of the round brings us to the forefront of the Bankstown Derby, with Bankstown City battling Bankstown United in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter.
Round ten kicks off with Sydney Uni taking on Central Coast United, Dunbar Rovers hosting Gladesville Ryde Magic, Dulwich Hill look to take down the joint league leaders Rydalmere Lions.
Canterbury Bankstown will look to bounce back against Inner West Hawks, as Inter Lions and Macarthur Rams lock horns at Majors Bay Reserve.
Match of the Round: Bankstown City FC vs Bankstown United FC, 7pm @ Jensen Park
The Bankstown Derby is arguably the marquee fixture of the League Two campaign and is one of the most heated rivalries across all levels of Football NSW competitions.
The two sides enter this matchup after polar opposite starts to the season, with City flying high in the third place, as United have struggled with just five points on the season leaving them in 11th.
With this season’s form considered, City should be heavy favourites heading into this clash but history suggests that form goes out the window in this fixture.
The last five outings were evenly split, with both sides winning twice and playing out a draw since 2019.
One thing we can expect is fireworks, with the last couple of matchups bringing goals, penalties and plenty of cards.
Bankstown United have held the upper hand in recent years, without defeat since 2020 in this fixture.
Ante Tomic may be the man to watch for City, with an already respectable goal tally for the year he has also bagged three goals in the last three derbies.
Jensen Park will be rocking on Saturday night and will likely be host to one of the games of the season, with both side’s giving it their all in pursuit of bragging rights.
Friday 13th May 2022
Sydney University SFC vs Central Coast United FC, 8:15pm @ Sydney University Football Ground
Sydney University return to their home for a Friday night clash with a rejuvenated Central Coast United outfit.
Uni will look to put last week’s disappointing outing against Bankstown City firmly in the rear view mirror, as they aim to contain an inform United attack.
The hosts are without a win in their last four games and will need a good result in this matchup to keep up with the fight for the top eight.
Jay Hirschowitz and Peter Crevani could cause problems for the United defence, with the pair leading Uni in attack all season long.
Central Coast enter this matchup on the heels of a 3-1 victory over Bankstown United, getting their third win in four games.
After struggling at the start of the season, United have found their rhythm in front of goals with 12 of their 17 goals scored this season coming in the last five outings.
Crucial to their success in attack has been the star attacking duo of Daniel McFarlane and Josh Swaddling.
The pair will look to keep up their good form and set themselves nine points of clear Uni with a win on Friday.
Central Coast on form look to be favoured to win this matchup, however with travel and conditions considered, the result is anyone’s for the taking.
Saturday 14th May 2022
Dunbar Rovers FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 7pm @ Fraser Park
Fraser Park hosts an intriguing matchup between two sides desperate for a win.
Dunbar Rovers are without a win in their last six-games and are sliding further down the table.
With just two goals in their last five, the Rovers will be eager to recapture their early season form and assert their position in the top eight.
However, there is every reason to believe that Dunbar can turn the form around and with a big performance captain Aram Tayebi, a win is on the cards.
Going from a squad struggling in front of goals, to a side with one of the best attacking record in the last few rounds with Gladesville Ryde.
The Magic have struggled to find the results of late, but have found the back of the net 11 times in the last five games.
Michael Gaitatzis will look to build on his impressive performance last week and will be key for the Magic in attack.
With two different styles of play going head to head, the result could go either way and could see a change in the top eight.
Dulwich Hill FC vs Rydalmere Lions FC, 7pm @ Arlington Oval
It’s a top four clash at Arlington Oval, with Dulwich Hill hosting Rydalmere Lions.
Dulwich Hill gave themselves much needed breathing room within the top four, getting a comfortable victory over Dunbar in round nine.
On the heels of his hat-trick last week, Daniel Fornito will be front and centre of the Rydalmere scouting report for this encounter.
Dulwich Hill have showcased a clinical nature from set-pieces in recent weeks and will look to assert some pressure on the Lions defence, with some early free-kicks in promising areas.
Rydalmere will have to remain wary of the potent Dulwich Hill attack if they are a chance of keeping a third clean sheet of the season.
The Lions are riding high after claiming three points against Canterbury Bankstown in dramatic fashion last week.
Rydalmere’s attacking presence has been a major key to their success this year, with a second-best 21 goals in just eight games.
Rydalmere will enter this matchup as the favourites, but Dulwich Hill can’t be ruled out for a massive win on Saturday.
Canterbury Bankstown FC vs Inner West Hawks FC, 7pm @ The Crest Athletic Centre
Canterbury Bankstown host the Inner West Hawks, in what will be one of four games in a jam-packed two-week schedule for the Berries.
The Berries entertain Gladesville Ryde on Wednesday, before this matchup on Saturday, then turning around for an Australian cup tie in a week, rounding out the tough two-week schedule with Saturday night fixture with Dunbar.
With two wins and a Rydalmere victory, the Berries could find themselves as high as third come the end of the round.
However, with the chaotic fixture list approaching rapidly, coach Wally Savor may look to rotate his squad to keep his men fit and fighting.
The Hawks will look to cause an upset and hope the busy schedule will fall into their favour.
Inner West were dispatched by the Rams last week, giving newly appointed coach Gus Cerro plenty of work to do in his first week of the job.
The Hawks return to form was shut down by the rampant Rams last week, however a positive second-half showing should give the Stanmore-based side hope for another positive result.
The Berries are favoured to win this matchup, however this may be dependent on their showing against the Magic mid-week.
Inter Lions FC vs Macarthur Rams FC, 7pm @ Majors Bay Reserve
The league-leading Inter Lions return to Majors Bay Reserve to host a rejuvenated Macarthur Rams squad.
Inter are riding high after another win last week, putting five goals past the Magic.
It was a much needed return to form for Ollie Green and Owen Duke, as Green extends his lead at the top of the goal scorers list.
The pair will be sure to cause plenty of headaches to the Rams side, as they look to improve on their impressive record of 3.2 goals per game as a team.
The Rams will be wary of the Lions attack, but will bring their own attacking presence to Majors Bay Reserve.
After a world-class showing from John Fahmi last week, the Rams will be full of confidence and hoping for to hand Inter their first loss of the season.
A Macarthur win would firmly see them get some much needed breathing room on a top-eight spot and could be the motivating factor for a massive result in this encounter.
Inter look likely to get another win in this matchup, but could be upset by the Rams.
By Football NSW Men’s League Two Writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
