Round 20 Preview – League Three Men’s

The League Three Men’s competition’s regular season end is edging closer, with the third last round set to be one of exhilaration, excitement and overall entertainment.

To begin the round, Camden Tigers will come up against Nepean FC on Saturday afternoon, before Hurstville FC takes on Fraser Park at Penshurst Park that night.

In two more Saturday night games, South Coast Flame and Hawkesbury City will host Newcastle Jets and Parramatta FC respectively, before a matchup between Prospect United and UNSW FC on Sunday will conclude the round.

Meanwhile, on Monday night, a brace from Praneet Singh saw Prospect United defeat South Coast Flame 2-1 in a catchup game from Round 17.

 

Camden Tigers vs Nepean FC – Saturday 3pm, Ron Dine Stadium

To begin the round, Camden Tigers will take on Nepean FC on Saturday afternoon at Ron Dine Stadium.

Camden’s most recent match came in an impressive 2-2 draw against Newcastle Jets, where a last-minute equaliser from their opponents denied Camden from taking home all three points.

The home team for this match is the only side to have drawn the same amount of games they’ve won over the campaign.

They’ll be looking for their first win in five matches against Nepean FC this weekend.

On the other hand, Nepean is coming off two consecutive victories – they’ve defeated UNSW FC 2-1 and Western Rage 4-1 in their most recent games.

Nepean currently sits fourth on the League Three Men’s ladder, four points behind third-placed UNSW FC and level with Hurstville FC.

However, they have a game in hand and two games in hand respectively on those two sides and will be looking to push towards third place with a win over Camden this weekend.

 

Hurstville FC vs Fraser Park – Saturday 7pm, Penshurst Park

Hurstville FC will play Fraser Park at Penshurst Park to continue the week of League Three Men’s action.

The home side for this match is unbeaten in their last three games, with draws against Parramatta FC and South Coast Flame being split by a win over Prospect United in between.

Hurstville is currently holding the last finals spot – they sit in fifth place, nine points clear of Prospect United in sixth.

Prospect United could mathematically catch up currently if they are to win all three games in hand, making a win for Hurstville this weekend crucial.

Meanwhile, Fraser Park is on their best run of form this season.

They’ve been rejuvenated by new signings and are unbeaten in three matches, with a win over Western Rage being followed by impressive draws against Hawkesbury City and Prospect United.

The run of three games unbeaten represents their longest streak all season, and they’ll be looking to continue to build with another positive result against Hurstville this weekend.

 

South Coast Flame vs Newcastle Jets – Saturday 7:15pm, Sir Ian McLennan Oval

South Coast Flame will take on Newcastle Jets at Sir Ian McLennan Oval in another Saturday night game in round 20.

The home side for this match has won one of their last five games, with that victory coming against Camden Tigers three matches ago.

Last weekend, they drew 3-3 with Hurstville FC after they conceded a last-minute equaliser, while on Monday, they lost to Prospect United by a single goal.

South Coast Flame will be playing their third match in seven days this weekend against Newcastle Jets.

Their opponents remain in the race for the top spot on the ladder – the Jets are currently five points behind first-placed Hawkesbury City, with two games in hand.

With an available six points, the ladder still remains in their hands, but it makes a win over South Coast Flame highly necessary.

 

Hawkesbury City vs Parramatta FC – Saturday 7:30pm, Valentine Sports Park

Hawkesbury City will take on Parramatta FC in the final Saturday night game of round 20.

Hawkesbury most recently had a bye in the League Three Men’s competition, with their game prior ending in a 2-2 draw against Fraser Park.

The table toppers are unbeaten in five games, with the four matches prior to their most recent draw all ending in victories.

To remain in contention for the top spot, a win is necessary for Hawkesbury over Parramatta this weekend.

Parramatta is on good form of their own – in their last two matches, they’ve drawn to top five sides Hurstville FC and UNSW FC.

Their only two defeats in their last five games have both come against Prospect United by a single goal, and they’ll be looking to continue their strong run of form this weekend.

 

Prospect United vs UNSW FC – Sunday 7pm, William Lawson Reserve 

In a lone Sunday night game to conclude the weekend of action, Prospect United will take on UNSW FC at William Lawson Reserve.

Prospect United’s most recent fixture saw them pick up three points against South Coast Flame on Monday night, while two days before on Saturday, they drew 0-0 with Fraser Park.

That win against South Coast was Prospect’s second within their last five, with the home side for this match also now on a two-match unbeaten run.

UNSW, in comparison, have won three of their last five games in the League Three Men competition.

Their most recent win came against Western Rage, which has now put them on a three-match unbeaten run.

UNSW is currently second on the table, although third-placed Newcastle has four games in hand and is only three points behind.

They’ll be looking to extend their unbeaten run with a result against Prospect United on Sunday night.

 

Review: South Coast Flame 1 – 2 Prospect United

In a Monday night makeup match, Prospect United took away all three points against South Coast Flame at Sir Ian McLennan Oval.

South Coast opened the match full of energy and was on top within the first 25 minutes.

They capped off their good form with a goal in the 25th minute, as a cross from Cody Waller eventually found the net through Lucas Ayala after multiple shots.

Prospect responded well, as they equalised two minutes later with youngster Praneet Singh unleashing a shot into the top corner from 25 metres out.

In the second half, Singh added a second goal from an almost identical situation, with the individual brilliance giving Prospect the lead.

The away side defended strongly in an increasingly transition-based game, and Prospect took home the three points.

Bye: Western Rage

By Football NSW League 3 Men’s Reporter, Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)