Round 4 Preview – League Two Men’s
Last week saw wet weather postpone many matches, meaning the clubs will be raring to get onto the field in Round Four of the Football New South Wales League Two Men’s competition.
The Match of the Round sees UNSW FC return home after their last match was washed out, as they host Bankstown United FC, who took a point away to Newcastle last week.
Elsewhere, Fraser Park FC will look to bounce back against ladder leaders Nepean FC, Gladesville Ryde Magic FC host Sydney University SFC, while South Coast Flame FC will look for a third-straight win as Inner West Hawks FC visit.
Hurstville FC and Prospect United SC will be on the hunt for their first win as they face off, Western Rage host Hawkesbury City while the Newcastle Jets will look for victory against the winless Camden Tigers FC.
Parramatta FC have a bye in Round Four.
Saturday 25th February, 2023
Match of the Round: UNSW FC vs Bankstown United FC, 7pm @ The Village Green
Previous Meeting: Bankstown United FC 3-1 UNSW FC
UNSW FC had their match away to Camden Tigers FC rained out last week, while Bankstown United FC took a point away from home at the strong Newcastle Jets.
These two sides will meet for the first time since the 2018 Football NSW State League Men’s season, where Bankstown won 3-1 at home as they finished that season as Premiers.
UNSW FC didn’t have the chance to take to the field last weekend as lightning activity forced the match to be postponed.
However, they have shown more than promise so far this season, as they remain undefeated from their opening two matches against quality opposition.
Therefore, they will be raring to get back onto the field this weekend test themselves against a strong opponent in Bankstown United FC.
Bankstown took it to the Newcastle Jets away from home and will look to bring that positive momentum to The Village Green.
They will look to utilise set pieces to their advantage as they make the tough away trip.
Buoyed by a result against Newcastle and their five-goal showing against Inner West Hawks FC the week before, expect Bankstown to come out firing in this encounter.
With two strong attacking sides on full display, both of these high-quality sides will look to move their way towards the top of the table as they face off.
Friday 24th February, 2023
Fraser Park FC vs Nepean FC, 8:30pm @ Fraser Park
Previous Meeting: Fraser Park FC 1-3 Nepean FC
Fraser Park FC will be looking to bounce back from their tight loss to South Coast Flame FC as they host the flawless Nepean FC.
Nepean FC did the double over Fraser Park FC last season, including their 3-1 victory away from home.
Fraser Park came from behind before a red card and a goal with 15 minutes to play from the Flame confided them to defeat.
Equal-second top goal scorer Alexander Nicolosi will look to add to his three goals, while goalkeeper Nicola Bratic saved his side from conceding more goals last week.
Fraser Park should be more comfortable playing at home and with a belief in their attack to convert chances this week, should trouble the goal of Nepean FC.
Nepean are three wins from three matches to start their season after their 4-2 win at home to Hawkesbury City FC in last week’s Match of the Round.
They showed a different side to their game with their attacking power; however, they also conceded their first goals of the season.
Look for Nepean to fight for every ball and utilise their pace in behind again as they look to continue their perfect start to the season.
With Fraser Park looking to find consistency this season with a strong squad and Nepean on the hunt for four-straight wins, expect neither side to hold back in this encounter.
Saturday 25th February, 2023
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Sydney University SFC, 7pm @ Christie Park
Previous Meeting: Sydney University SFC 5-0 Gladesville Ryde Magic
Gladesville Ryde Magic played their rescheduled Round Three match against the Western Rage on Tuesday February 22nd, as they came away with a come-from-behind 2-1 win, while University had a bye.
Sydney University SFC won the previous encounter between these two sides in the final match of the 2022 FNSW League Three Men’s season 5-0.
Gladesville utilised different tactical plays as they came away with the victory on Tuesday and could provide more flexibility in attack this week.
However, they will want to tighten up in defence, given they have conceded five goals from their opening three matches.
If they can read the match well and adapt if the game gets tough, they could prove hard to crack at home.
Sydney University SFC had a bye last week as they remain unbeaten so far this season.
They have proved to be prolific scorers so far, with six goals from their first two matches; the goals being shared around.
Watch for University to play balls in behind the Gladesville defence throughout the match to utilise their pace and catch out defenders.
With a one-sided scoreline from last season still fresh, plus attacking flair from both sides, expect this to be an exciting encounter.
South Coast Flame FC vs Inner West Hawks FC, 7pm @ Sir Ian McLennan Oval
This is the first meeting between these two clubs.
South Coast Flame FC will be looking for back-to-back wins as they host Inner West Hawks FC in Round Four.
These two sides have never met in a competitive match before, so the unknown may play its part in this encounter.
The South Coast Flame survived a scare last week as they scored with fifteen minutes left to beat Fraser Park FC 2-1.
They showed their speed and finesse on the counter, while their aerial ability was also evident in that win.
If they can play to their strengths, stretch the Hawks on the counter and utilise their big men from set pieces, they could prove to be a problem.
As for Inner West Hawks FC, they looked dangerous on the counter and in the air, also, against Hurstville FC last week, before the match was called off due to lightning at half-time.
Despite being winless in their opening two matches, the Hawks showed promise last week and will be hoping to play to their strengths this week.
If they can hold tight defensively, they may find a way to snag a result on the counter or in the air.
This match could prove to be a tight tactical battle, where both sides have pace on the counter and big men in the air; it all sets up for an exciting matchup.
Hurstville FC vs Prospect United SC, 7pm @ Penshurst Park
Previous Meeting: Prospect United SC 1-2 Hurstville FC
Hurstville FC and Prospect United SC are both still winless after their matches were postponed last week as they clash at Penshurst Park.
Hurstville completed the league double over Prospect last season, including a 2-1 win away from home in Round 18.
Their Round Three match against the Inner West Hawks was called off at half-time while they were 1-0 up.
Therefore, they are yet to secure any points this season and will be looking to secure their first three points at home.
Look for them to utilise crosses and balls over the top against Prospect United SC,
Prospect also did not play last weekend due to lightning and will be looking for their first points of the season, too.
They will look to show their grit this week once again and win the ball high up the field against Hurstville.
However, also look for them to be dangerous on the counter, with possession and from set pieces; they will look to utilise their strengths against the weaknesses of Hurstville.
Both Prospect and Hurstville have struggled for goals in their first two matches, scoring one and zero, respectively, so watch for them to want to rectify that in this encounter.
Western Rage vs Hawkesbury City FC, 7pm @ Rydalmere Park
Previous Meeting: Hawkesbury City FC 3-2 Western Rage
Both sides have had mixed starts to the season as they face each other at Rydalmere Park.
Hawkesbury City FC completed the league double over Western Rage last season, including their 3-2 home win in Round 13.
Western Rage played their Round Three match against Gladesville Ryde Magic on Tuesday, as they fell short in a 2-1 defeat.
They took the lead in the match through their play in behind but were unable to capitalise on that advantage.
Look for them to build on the signs they showed in that performance in the rain, including in the air, as they host Hawkesbury City FC.
Hawkesbury lost 4-2 to Nepean FC in the Match of the Round last week but showed signs of promise against a tough side.
They have the competition’s leading goal scorer in Marco Turpeinen, who has scored five goals in his opening three matches.
Look for them to try to maintain possession early and play through the middle of the park, while also utilising long balls forward to the likes of Turpeinen.
With a Western Rage side wanting their first win and a Hawkesbury City side looking to bounce back, expect to see plenty of fight in this match.
Sunday 26th February, 2023
Newcastle Jets vs Camden Tigers FC, 5pm @ Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
Previous Meeting: Newcastle Jets 2-2 Camden Tigers FC
The last match of the round sees two sides wanting to get back into the winners’ circle in the Jets and Tigers.
These sides met in high-scoring encounters last season, including a 6-3 win for Newcastle in Round Eight and a 2-2 draw in Round 19.
Newcastle was unable to grab all three points against Bankstown United FC last week despite dominating large parts of the match.
They will be looking to be more ruthless in front of goal, as they play their third home match of the season.
Their squad shares the goals around, so if their attack can click and break down the Camden Tigers defence, they could return to winning ways as they continue their charge this season.
Camden Tigers FC did not play last week as lightning meant their match against UNSW FC was postponed before kick-off.
However, they are yet to win a match this season and will be hoping to cause a shock as they travel to Newcastle.
They came close before a 93rd minute equaliser from Sydney University SFC in Round Two and they know their strengths in attack, particularly down the right flank.
If the Tigers can continue to play their style and play for the full 90 minutes, they could gain a result against the Jets this weekend.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
