Round 3 Finals Series Review – League Three Men’s

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Nepean FC has defeated Prospect United to join Newcastle Jets in the League Three Men Grand Final after an intense, well-fought contest at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday afternoon. 

UNSW FC, meanwhile, has become the other team to make the Under 20’s League Three Men Grand Final along with Newcastle, also winning 1-0 to defeat South Coast Flame.

Preliminary Final: Nepean FC 1 – 0 Prospect United 

Nepean FC has become the second of two sides to make the League Three Men Grand Final, joining Newcastle Jets to fight for the trophy after defeating Prospect United by a single goal.

It was a typically cagey finals match, with fine margins deciding the evening.

The turning point came in the 50th minute, as Prospect defender Daniel Mihajlovic was forced off with a concussion.

As a result, Prospect had to change personnel and their system, and five minutes later, Nepean capitalised by scoring through Raajdeep Singh.

Earlier, in the first half, Nepean goalkeeper Jade Jonsson had been forced to make a good save as Prospect fired towards the target and the shot-stopper was required once again after Nepean was reduced to ten men in the 64th minute with a second yellow resulting in a red card.

Nepean showed their defensive organisation and skills as Prospect looked to pile on the pressure towards the end of the match.

The game expanded in the last 15 minutes in the 11v10, with Prospect creating some good opportunities to find the back of the net.

Prospect looked to have equalised right at the end of the match but a shot ricocheted off the post to ensure victory for Nepean.

Joe D’Ermilio, coach of Nepean FC, was frustrated with the lack of energy his side showed over the 90 minutes, stating that two intense games in the finals series prior could have had a negative effect on Saturday afternoon.

“Clearly off the back of two huge games against Hawkesbury and Newcastle, the boys found it difficult to back up again this week and were quite flat,” he stated.

“It was another huge shift from (defender) Mitchell King and goalkeeper Jade Jonsson who made two great saves to keep a fantastic clean sheet.”

It wasn’t Prospect’s day, and coach Darren Camilleri credited Nepean for their success, stating that they “played against a team who are really organised and have played finals football before.

“I’m really happy with the boys and how the season ended up but it will take a few days to get over this (result) because it was so close.

“Overall, I’m extremely happy with our progression in 2022.

“Our average age is 20 this season, second to Newcastle Jets and what we’ve achieved is remarkable!”

Nepean will take on Newcastle in the grand final next weekend, with the date, time and venue to be decided.

Under 20s Preliminary Final: South Coast Flame 0 – 1 UNSW FC

UNSW FC has joined Newcastle Jets in the Grand Final of Under 20’s League Three Men competition thanks to a 1-0 win over South Coast Flame.

UNSW found the back of the net through Kaden Ivor Sharpley in the 13th minute and that proved to be the goal to get them through, despite a late red card.

They’ll take on the Jets next weekend in the final match of the Under 20 League Three Men campaign.

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