Round 3 Finals Series Preview – League Three Men’s

In the penultimate week of the League Three Men finals series, Nepean FC will take on Prospect United to see who joins Newcastle Jets in the Grand Final.

In the Under 20’s, South Coast Flame will come up against UNSW FC, with the winner again taking on the Jets in the Grand Final.  

Preliminary Semi-Final: Nepean FC vs Prospect United – Saturday 2:30pm, Valentine Sports Park

Nepean FC will take on Prospect United on Saturday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park with the two teams going head to head to join Newcastle Jets in the League Three Men Grand Final.

Nepean went out narrowly to the Jets on Saturday night, losing 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in both regular and extra time.

The week before, they defeated Hawkesbury City in extra time.

With the score 1-1 going into the extended period, a brace within five minutes from Majid Eslami was enough to secure a spot in the Major Semi-Final despite a late attempted fightback from their opponents

Hawkesbury are now out of the League Three Men campaign for the season, with Prospect remarkably defeating them 5-1 to get to the Preliminary final.

Prospect opened the scoring earlier through a David Muller penalty, before Tallon Zahra scored eight minutes later to double their advantage.

After riding strong waves of Hawkesbury’s pressure, Prospect’s consistent threat from attacking transitions finally produced an end result, with Nicholas Boyd converting for the away side.

Prospect scored two more goals in the four minutes to follow to lead Hawkesbury 5-0 in the Minor Semi-Final, with the third placed team gaining a consolation goal through Daniel Morsillo in injury time.

The away side for this match will be looking to continue their strong finals form, after they defeated UNSW FC by a solitary goal the week before in a professional performance.

Nepean have also proved to be a formidable force in finals as well as the regular campaign, as they took the Premiers in the Jets all the way on Saturday night.

The two sides have faced off twice previously this season, with one ending in a forfeit victory for Nepean and the other finishing in a 1-1 draw.

Bye: Newcastle Jets

Newcastle Jets defeated Nepean FC in the Major Semi-Final last weekend to become the first side to enter the Grand Final.

As a result, the Jets get a week off as they prepare for the biggest match of the season in the weekend to follow.

U20’s Preliminary Final: South Coast Flame vs UNSW FC – Saturday 12pm, Valentine Sports Park

South Coast Flame will take on UNSW FC in the Under 20’s Preliminary Final at midday on Saturday, with the winner facing Newcastle Jets in the Grand Final.

South Coast were defeated by Newcastle Jets last weekend after beating Parramatta FC on penalties the week before to advance to the Major Semi-Final, with that result giving them a second chance now in the form of this fixture to make the big dance.

Meanwhile, UNSW FC defeated Camden Tigers and then Parramatta FC 2-0 and 1-0 respectively to advance to the Preliminary Final.

The first of two regular season matches between the sides saw UNSW prevail in a 4-3 thriller, before South Coast emerged victorious in a 2-0 scoreline in Round 14.

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