Round 6 Preview – League Two Men’s
Last week saw the most goals scored in a round this season and Round Six promises to deliver just as much.
The Match of the Round this week sees first travel to play second as Nepean FC face UNSW FC at The Village Green.
Before that, Hawkesbury City FC will look to bounce back at home to Parramatta FC, while Hurstville will search for their second win of the season at home to Bankstown United FC.
Elsewhere, Gladesville Ryde Magic have momentum as the Newcastle Jets visit, Fraser Park FC battle with Prospect United SC at home, Western Rage will search for their first win as Camden Tigers FC visit and South Coast Flame FC return from their bye at home to Sydney University SFC.
Inner West Hawks FC have a bye in Round Six.
Saturday 11th March, 2023
Match of the Round: UNSW FC vs Nepean FC, 5pm @ The Village Green
Previous Meeting: UNSW FC 1-2 Nepean FC
UNSW FC claimed a big scalp in the Newcastle Jets last week while Nepean FC continued their perfect start to the season after a win over Western Rage.
These two sides meet in this encounter in high form as they sit second and first on the ladder, respectively, making this an important clash.
The last time they last met, in Round 17 last season in the FNSW League Three Men’s competition, Nepean scored two second half goals to claim victory.
UNSW FC came from a goal down to claim a 3-1 victory away to the Newcastle Jets last week and will be looking to use that momentum to propel them forward.
Along with Nepean FC and South Coast Flame FC, they are yet to lose a match this season and are on a three-match winning streak.
They have the equal-second-most goals scored and equal-second-least goals conceded this season and Kevin Lopes will look to continue the charge from the front.
UNSW FC have all the makings of a top team this season and will look to prove that at home to Nepean FC.
Nepean won a convincing fifth match from five to start the season after their 3-1 win at home to Western Rage last round.
Bradley Whitworth and Leonard Abdo are leading the charge as Nepean have scored 13 goals this season, like UNSW FC.
Their tight defence has helped them on this perfect start to the season, with only three goals conceded so far, and they will look to use that as a base in this crucial clash.
UNSW FC could take top spot with a win, while Nepean could move five points clear of them with victory; this promises to be the match of the season, so far.
Friday 10th March, 2023
Hawkesbury City FC vs Parramatta FC, 8pm @ David Bertenshaw Field
Previous Meeting: Hawkesbury City FC 0-1 Parramatta FC
Hawkesbury City FC finished fast but fell away to Bankstown United last week, while Parramatta FC earned their first point of the season after their draw with Fraser Park FC.
Both sides claimed a win each over each other last season, but it was Parramatta who won the last encounter 2-0 away in Round 20.
Hawkesbury showed signs of promise late as they put pressure on Bankstown United FC late in wet conditions in their loss.
This week, they will return to their original home at Bensons Lane Sporting Complex in Richmond – their first match there in 630 days!
They have scored plenty of goals this season but will look to tighten up in defence as Parramatta FC visit.
Parramatta secured their first point of the season last week at home to Fraser Park FC and will look to build on that performance.
Youssef Badr has proved to be the main outlet for Parramatta so far this season and will look to continue his form this week.
Their young squad is learning and improving each week and will look to cause an upset away to Hawkesbury this week.
With a Hawkesbury team looking to kick-start their season and a Parramatta side with lots of youthful exuberance, either side could walk away with something from this match.
Hurstville FC vs Bankstown United FC, 8pm @ Penshurst Park
Previous Meeting: Hurstville FC 1-3 Bankstown United FC
Hurstville FC equalised three times and took the lead before they eventually fell 5-4 to Camden Tigers FC in a classic match last week, while Bankstown United FC held off a fast-finishing Hawkesbury City FC to claim their second win.
The last matchup between these two clubs was back almost five years ago, in the 2018 Football NSW State League Men’s season, where Bankstown United FC scored two second-half goals to win 3-1.
Hurstville showed plenty of fight last week in their defeat to Camden Tigers FC and will look to claim victory this week after their misfortunes last week.
They opened up at both ends of the field with plenty of goals both ways, so they will be hoping to continue that attacking momentum and tighten up at the back.
They will look to take the fight to Bankstown at home as they search for their second win of the season.
Bankstown United FC claimed a much-needed victory over Hawkesbury City FC and will hope it can kick-start their season.
Looking to push up the ladder, they will hope to build and claim their first back-to-back wins of the season to gain momentum.
With nine goals both scored and conceded for Bankstown so far this season, look for them to focus their energy on improving both sides of their game this week.
Expect this to be a toughly contested match with two sides looking to build some momentum heading into the second month of the season.
Saturday 11th March, 2023
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Newcastle Jets, 7pm @ Christie Park
This is the first meeting between these two clubs.
Gladesville Ryde Magic came from behind to claim a big 5-2 win against Prospect United SC last week, while the Newcastle Jets lost their first match of the season last week.
These two sides have never met in a league fixture before so this will be an unknown for both teams.
Gladesville Ryde Magic won their third match in a row and their fourth from five after their victory last week and will look to potentially take top spot on the ladder.
They boast the equal-second-best attack in the competition so far with 13 goals and will look to put more past the Jets this week.
With a defence not afraid of desperate tackles, hard running players and clinical finishers, this team filled with youth and experience could continue their rise this week.
The Newcastle Jets are in unfamiliar territory having lost last week and will look to make amends on the road.
They failed to hold on to a 1-0 lead as they fell to UNSW FC at home and will be hoping to get back to winning ways this week.
With a host of young talent who have proved themselves so far this season, they will be hoping to bounce back straight away and fight for those top two spots.
With the Magic hitting form and the Jets on a loss, this match could go either way as third and fourth do battle.
Fraser Park FC vs Prospect United SC, 7pm @ Fraser Park
Previous Meeting: Fraser Park FC 0-0 Prospect United SC
Fraser Park will look to put some results and 90-minute performances together after their come-from-behind draw last week, while Prospect United SC will hope to improve on last week’s loss.
Prospect got the better of Fraser Park at home last season but both sides were held scoreless in their last encounter in Round 19 last season.
Winless in three matches, Fraser Park know what they must do to improve this season and that is put a complete performance together.
They showed flashes of their best against Parramatta FC last week but know they will need marked improvement if they are to fight for the promotion places come the end of the season.
If they can start with the right mindset from the first minute and carry that through the whole match, they could put together some real team performances, starting this week.
Meanwhile, Prospect United SC could not back-up their Round Four win, as they lost their fourth match from five against Gladesville Ryde Magic last week.
A run of three matches in seven days caught up with Prospect and they will be raring to fight for a win after a week of rest.
If they can hold on to some possession, which is more difficult away from home, it could be the foothold they need to get something out of this match.
Look for both teams to fight until the end in this matchup as a crucial three points are on offer.
Western Rage vs Camden Tigers FC, 7pm @ Rydalmere Park
Previous Meeting: Western Rage 3-0 Camden Tigers FC
Western Rage faced a tough challenge in their defeat away to Nepean FC last week, while Camden Tigers FC survived a scare to come from behind in their win over Hurstville FC.
Camden got the better of Western Rage 4-2 at home last season, but in Round 16 it was the Rage who came away convincing 3-0 winners.
The Rage scored a late consolation goal in their 3-1 loss away to the ladder-leading Nepean FC last week.
They are still chasing their first win of the season and their first points in four matches.
Despite only conceding eight goals, they are the lowest-scoring side so far this season, with three goals from their opening four matches; if they can improve on the offensive end, they could fight for a result this weekend.
Camden Tigers FC are on a high after they won their first match of the season last week with a 90th minute goal from their captain, Jack Harris.
They are a free-flowing side on both ends, as they have scored 12 goals but have conceded more than any other team with 15.
After last week’s result, a win against the Rage would be the perfect follow-up to kickstart their season.
Both teams will be hoping for victory for different reasons, which makes this matchup even more intriguing.
South Coast Flame FC vs Sydney University SFC, 7:15pm @ Sir Ian McLennan Oval
This is the first meeting between these two clubs.
South Coast Flame FC return to action after their bye last round as they face a hungry Sydney University SFC.
These two sides have never met in the FNSW leagues pyramid before so it will be a fresh experience for both clubs.
South Coast Flame FC are one of only three sides to be unbeaten through five rounds and will look to make the most of their break by continuing that momentum.
They have the second-best defensive record in the competition with only four goals conceded from their first four matches, but they will need to improve their offence as they have only scored six goals.
With fresh legs from a week off, playing at home, look for the Flame to light it up on the south coast.
Sydney University SFC drew 1-1 with Inner West Hawks FC last week and are winless in three matches but have only lost one match this season and know where to improve.
Their goal tally of seven could have been a lot higher, but they were unable to convert their numerous chances to win last week.
University will look to improve in that regard to claim victory in the long away trip this week.
Both sides will be hungry for goals but with strong defences on both teams, one moment could decide the outcome of this match.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
