Round 2 Finals Series Preview – League Three Men’s

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The two League Three Men’s Semi-Finals are set to take place this weekend with the first participant in the Grand Final to be decided at the conclusion of the round. 

Newcastle Jets and Nepean FC will battle off for the first spot in the big dance, with the loser of that Major Semi-Final facing the winner of the Minor Semi-Final, between Hawkesbury City and Prospect United, to determine the other team in the Grand Final.

In the Under 20’s the same process follows, with Newcastle Jets and South Coast Flame facing off in the Major Semi-Final and Parramatta FC and UNSW FC going head-to-head in the Minor Semi-Final.

 

Minor Semi-Final: Hawkesbury City vs Prospect United – Saturday 6:30pm, Valentine Sports Park

In another knockout round of the League Three Men finals series, Hawkesbury City will take on Prospect United at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday night.

The winner of this fixture will face the loser of the other match this weekend, the Major Semi-Final, with the victor of that match then advancing to the Grand Final.

The loser, meanwhile, will see their season come to a close.

Hawkesbury lost narrowly in the Preliminary Semi-Final to Nepean FC last weekend, with an extra time frenzy seeing them defeated by a single goal in a 3-2 loss.

The home side for this match has been struggling for form in the regular season prior to the finals campaign – including the game against Nepean, they’re without a win in five matches.

However, prior to this run, Hawkesbury was on a run of four victories in a row, and they’re more than capable of bringing that form back into light in this fixture.

Prospect United, meanwhile, defeated UNSW FC 1-0 in the Elimination Semi-Final to advance to this stage.

So far, they’ve looked to be a resolute, strong finals side – in their game against UNSW, they didn’t put out the strongest performance they’ve managed this season, but they remained professional, calm and clinical in crucial moments.

Prospect’s ability from set pieces and attacking transitions, in particular, makes the youthful side a threat for any team in finals and they’re playing well beyond their years in terms of maturity on the field.

Prospect and Hawkesbury faced off just two matches ago, with the away side for this game winning to advance to the finals stage after Hawkesbury got an early red card.

Earlier in the season, Hawkesbury defeated Prospect 3-1, making the sides head to head for this campaign as they come into this season-defining fixtures.

 

Major Semi-Final: Newcastle Jets vs Nepean FC – Saturday 7:30pm, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility

The first Grand Final spot of the League Three Men season will be up for grabs at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday night, with Newcastle Jets taking on Nepean FC for a spot in the big dance.

Meanwhile, the loser of this Major Semi-Final won’t be out of the competition for the campaign, as they’ll be given a second chance to make the Grand Final when taking on the winner of Hawkesbury and Prospect next weekend.

Newcastle Jets soared to victory as they took home the League Three Men ladder this season as Premiers.

They finished five points clear of their opponents Nepean FC to clinch victory, with wins against Prospect United and Parramatta FC and a draw against Western Rage seeing them also unbeaten in their last three matches.

The Jets come into this fixture in good form and also with a week off, meaning they will likely be the fresher side in the Major Semi-Final this weekend.

Newcastle has scored the second most goals in the league this season (one behind UNSW FC) while they’ve conceded the joint least, alongside opponents Nepean.

Nepean defeated Hawkesbury 3-2 after extra time in the Preliminary Semi-Final to advance to face the Jets, with a brace from Majid Eslami securing them a crucial victory and a second chance to make the Grand Final if necessary.

However, the away side for this fixture is yet to defeat Newcastle this season.

The last time they faced off the Jets emerged victors by two goals, with the earlier game in round five ending in a 0-0 draw.

Nepean will be looking to level the head-to-head scores by defeating Newcastle this weekend, with the winner becoming the first team to enter the League Three Men Grand Final.

 

Under 20’s finals:

Minor Semi-Final

Saturday 4pm, Valentine Sports Park

Parramatta FC vs UNSW FC

 

Major Semi-Final

Saturday 5pm, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility

Newcastle Jets vs South Coast Flame

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