Round 14 Preview – League Three Men’s
Another entertaining, meaningful round of the League Three Men’s competition is set to take place, as a win now becomes more important than ever.
Prospect United and Parramatta FC will get the ball rolling on Wednesday night, before UNSW FC take on South Coast Flame on Friday.
Fraser Park will host Camden Tigers on Saturday night, with a crucial clash between Hurstville FC and Newcastle Jets taking place at the same time.
In another 7pm match, Western Rage will face Prospect United, before another top five clash – between Hawkesbury City and Nepean FC – will conclude the weekend.
Prospect United vs Parramatta FC – Wednesday 8pm, William Lawson Reserve
In a midweek match, Prospect United will take on Parramatta FC as both sides look to bounce back off two-goal defeats from the weekend.
The home side for this match is coming off a 3-1 defeat to Camden Tigers and will be looking to find some consistency in their matches after having played two matches in a month prior to their game last weekend.
Prospect are winless in three matches and will be looking to return to form as they currently sit sixth on the ladder with up to four games in hand on teams above them.
Meanwhile, Parramatta is coming off a 2-0 loss to South Coast Flame and will be looking to bounce back into winning ways on Wednesday night with a win over Prospect.
UNSW FC vs South Coast Flame – Friday 8pm, Hensley Athletic Field
On Friday night, UNSW FC will come up against South Coast Flame at Hensley Athletic Field to begin the round 14 matches for the weekend.
UNSW propelled themselves to third place on the table while picking up a point against Hurstville FC last weekend to increase their unbeaten streak to seven matches.
Their last loss was sustained in mid-April with a 3-2 defeat to Nepean FC, and since then they’ve won four and drawn three games.
They will be looking to continue their run on form on Friday against South Coast Flame, who have won two of their last four matches.
South Coast has won their last four home matches in a row but will have to travel to Hensley Athletic Park to face UNSW in a tricky Friday fixture.
The away side for this match currently sits seventh on the table and will be looking to increase their pressure on the sides above, while UNSW will look to continue to establish themselves in the top four.
Fraser Park vs Camden Tigers – Saturday 7pm, Fraser Park
Fraser Park will host Camden Tigers in one of four Saturday night matches.
Fraser, who are recently coming off a loss to Newcastle Jets, will be looking to build on their two wins so far this season when taking on Camden at their home ground this weekend.
Before the Newcastle and Nepean defeats, their losses have remained relatively narrow as they continue to improve as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Camden Tigers are coming off their second victory of their campaign and will be looking to make it consecutive victories for the first time in the 2022 season of League Three Men.
Camden has lost just two of their last five matches and is on a good run of form coming into this fixture, and will be looking to continue their upwards trajectory this weekend.
Hurstville FC vs Newcastle Jets – Saturday 7pm, Penshurst Park
Hurstville FC will take on Newcastle Jets in a crucial clash on Saturday night, with both sides continuing to fight for the title.
Hurstville has drawn their last two matches in the League Three Men’s competition but won the two prior to be on an unbeaten streak of four matches.
The home side for this match currently leads the league ladder, sitting one point ahead of second-placed Hawkesbury City, albeit having played one more game.
They will be looking to extend their advantage at the top of the table with a statement victory over Newcastle this weekend, who are flying in form after beating Fraser Park 9-0 last Sunday night.
Newcastle is still unbeaten in the league this season, being the only side yet to lose a game this campaign.
They have won their last three matches by a combined score of 16-2, and have the highest goal difference of any side in the competition.
With a win over Hurstville, they will go just one point behind with three games in hand, making three points for both sides a must this weekend.
Western Rage vs Prospect United – Saturday 7pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
To continue the Saturday night action, Western Rage will come up against Prospect United at Blacktown City Sports Centre.
Following on from their first win of the season, Western Rage almost took a point off league leaders Hawkesbury City, losing 3-2 after central defender Jason Najdovski stunningly scored two goals in a minute in the dying stages of the match, before coming close to a hattrick on the final whistle.
The home side for this match has scored more goals than the three teams above them on the ladder but hasn’t been able to convert their goals into points consistently during the campaign.
On the other hand, Prospect United currently sit sixth on the table, but with multiple matches to spare due to postponements from heavy rain.
With six points from their two matches this week, they could propel themselves back into the already enticing chase for finals football and will need to overcome a spurring Western Rage side on Saturday.
Hawkesbury City vs Nepean FC – Saturday 7:30pm, Valentine Sports Centre
Hawkesbury City will take on Nepean FC to conclude the weekend of League Three Men’s action.
Hawkesbury will be looking to remain on the top of the table with a victory over Nepean, with the home side for this match currently sitting two points ahead of second placed Hurstville FC.
They’ve won three out of their last five matches and will be looking to continue their strong form on the weekend against Nepean FC.
The away side, meanwhile, are fifth on the table, however level on points with a game in hand on the side above them.
A win, dependent on other results, could either see them move back into the top four or see them remain on their tails, as the race for finals football becomes more fast-paced than ever.
Bye: Parramatta FC
By Football NSW League 3 Men’s Reporter, Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
