Round 2 Finals Series – League Two Men’s
It’s Week 2 of the League Two Men’s Finals Series and we are set for what could be two of the most anticipated games of the this season.
Four will turn into three, as Macarthur Rams take on Central Coast United at Valentine Sports Park, whilst we will have one grand-finalist when Inter Lions face off against Rydalmere Lions.
Minor Semi Final
Saturday 20th August, 5:30pm, Valentine Sports Park
Central Coast United FC vs Macarthur Rams FC
20’s: Dunbar Rovers FC vs Bankstown United FC, 7pm
Central Coast United battle Macarthur Rams in a highly anticipated elimination semi-final at Valentine Sports Park to kick-off Week 2 of the finals series.
The Pirates fell to Rydalmere in extra time last week, after letting a 2-0 halftime lead slip at Pluim Park.
United will lose their home-ground advantage that has seen them take nine wins out of eleven games in the regular season.
Central Coast looked at their best in front of goals in the first half last week, but there was some slightly worrying signs from their transitional game in the final stages of the game.
Another source of concern for the hosts will be the fitness of their captain, Daniel McFarlane who was taken off at halftime due to hip injury.
McFarlane’s impact on the Pirates’ attack cannot be understated and we are yet to see them without their main man going forward in 2022.
Central Coast and Macarthur played out two highly competitive games in the regular season after a six-goal draw in the first match-up, the Pirates edged the Rams by one goal in the reverse fixture.
Macarthur will be looking to get their first win over Central Coast since 2020, when they took a 1-0 win at Pluim Park.
The Rams will be feeling the effects of a physical battle with the Berries last week, but will take plenty of confidence after coming from behind twice in regular time.
Macarthur took its time to get comfortable and adjust to finals football, but when the players did they produced flashes of dominance in the crucial fixture.
The visitors were spurred on by their veteran midfield partnership of Mark Symington and John Fahmi who controlled the pace and created plenty of attacking chances.
After a critical goal last week, Michael Osei-Adomako will look to carry his form into the biggest game of his sides’ season thus far.
Macarthur’s youthful squad is a near complete opposite of their opponents deeply experienced squad, which could be the difference maker on Saturday night.
Although the Pirates hold the advantage in recent history, anything can happen in a do or die game and this will undoubtedly be a thrilling game for both sets of fans.
Major Semi Final
Saturday 20th August, 7:30pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions FC vs Rydalmere Lions FC
20’s: Rydalmere Lions FC vs Dulwich Hill FC
Inter Lions return to action to take on Rydalmere Lions, with a spot in the grand final up for grabs at Majors Bay Reserve.
These two sides were battling for top spot on the ladder for the majority of the season, as many could argue these two teams possess the most amount of quality in the league.
Inter enter this semi-final fresh off a week break, with their most recent result coming against Central Coast where they went down 2-0.
Although the result didn’t mean much for Inter, who had already secured first place on the ladder and had put eight goals past Macarthur the week before.
The mix of experience and undeniable talent amongst the Inter squad is their biggest asset and will give them an advantage in this match-up.
The two sides split the regular season fixtures, with Inter walking away with a convincing 4-1 in the first meeting before going down 2-1 just a couple of weeks later.
Rydalmere were the most recent winners of this match-up and will enter this week with plenty of confidence in getting another result.
Rydalmere’s three-goal comeback last week was a spirited and impressive effort as they became just the second team to defeat Central Coast at Pluim Park in 2022.
The visitors ended Inter’s six-game home unbeaten run in Round 13, but had to hold off a late-comeback in order to secure the win.
Both sides have made plenty of strides in improving their defences in the backend of the season, whilst showing how lethal they can be attack.
With a guaranteed spot in the grand final preserved for the winner, we could be set to see two of the best sides in the league give it their all in order to get one-hand on the coveted League Two championship.
By Football NSW Men’s League Two Writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
