Round 10 Preview – League Two Men’s
Round Ten of the Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season will see the battle for crucial points continue as some sides look to catch up to the leading pack.
The Match of the Round this week sees Nepean FC host the Newcastle Jets in the Grand Final rematch, with both sides coming off losses.
Elsewhere, Sydney University SFC host UNSW FC in the University Derby, Bankstown United FC look to reverse their fortunes at home to the high-flying Parramatta FC, while Gladesville Ryde Magic look to respond against Camden Tigers FC.
Meanwhile, the Western Rage search for their first win as the resurgent Hurstville FC visit, Inner West Hawks FC host the in-form Fraser Park FC, while the thriving South Coast Flame FC host a fighting Hawkesbury City FC.
Prospect United SC have a bye this round.
Friday, 7th April 2023
Match of the Round: Nepean FC vs Newcastle Jets, 8pm @ Wanderers Football Park
Previous Meeting: Newcastle Jets 2-1 Nepean FC
Nepean FC lost back-to-back matches for the first time this season last week as they fell 1-0 away to Camden Tigers FC, while the Newcastle Jets lost for the second time this season, 1-0 at home to South Coast Flame FC.
These two sides meet for the first time since last season’s NPL New South Wales League Three Men’s Grand Final, where a 90th minute winner from Jets’ captain, Ben Van Dorssen, led the Jets to the league double.
Revenge will be on the mind of Nepean after that defeat, as they look to bounce back from consecutive losses in the league and hold on to second place in the Grand Final rematch.
They will look to improve their decision-making in the final third and find a way to score in tight matches if they are to take down another competition heavyweight.
Kamran Qayumi will miss the clash after his red card last week, while without top-scorer Bradley Whitworth, Nepean have struggled for goals; they will be hopeful of finding a clinical edge against the Jets this week.
The Newcastle Jets failed to convert multiple chances last week in their home loss to South Coast Flame FC and will hope to bounce back against a fellow heavyweight.
The Jets have exuberance and quality across the pitch with eight different goal scorers so far this season and will hope to utilise their all-round quality to create and dispatch of chances.
If they can find that clinical edge against a strong Nepean defence, they could return to the winner’s circle this week.
In a crucial clash where competition heavyweights look to ensure they keep up with the top spots, expect a tough encounter which will be played with intensity for the whole ninety minutes.
Saturday, 8th April 2023
Sydney University SFC vs UNSW FC, 5pm @ Sydney University Football Ground
Previous Meeting: Sydney University SFC 1-3 UNSW FC
A lone Samuel Shepherd goal gave Sydney University SFC their third-successive loss last week as they fell 1-0 away, while UNSW FC gained a four-point cushion at top spot on the ladder after their 2-0 win over the Western Rage.
These two sides have met regularly in pre-season recently for one of football’s oldest trophies in the Kennard Cup; it is the 63rd year of the rivalry this year.
The last Kennard Cup was won by UNSW FC in pre-season in 2022 courtesy of a 3-1 win; this year’s cup will be played in the second fixture between these sides in Round 25.
Sydney University SFC were unable to break down a resolute Fraser Park FC defence last week as they lost 1-0 away.
They are running low on player availability and will look to dictate the tempo of the match early this week to ensure they can control the match to their advantage.
If they can continue to play well by beating any counter-press by UNSW FC this week and play through any battles in midfield, they could claim victory over their rival.
UNSW FC extended their advantage at the top of the League Two Men’s ladder to four points after a 2-0 win at home over the Western Rage last week.
The competition’s joint-leading goal scorer, Kevin Lopes, will again be the main threat for UNSW with his clinical finishing and pace in attack.
Their defence has won them matches recently with back-to-back clean sheets; momentum they will hope to maintain against their rivals this week.
Ultimately, the form guide is not useful when it comes to derbies; look for this match to throw up any kind of surprise result.
Bankstown United FC vs Parramatta FC, 7pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Parramatta FC 1-2 Bankstown United FC
Bankstown United FC return to action this week after their bye in Round Nine, while Parramatta FC won their third-straight match after their 2-1 home win over Inner West Hawks last week.
These two sides meet for the first time since the 2019 NPL 3 NSW Men’s season, where Bankstown United FC recorded the league double courtesy of a 2-1 away win.
Bankstown United FC will be refreshed and raring to chase victory coming off three-straight losses prior to their bye.
They will hope to refocus for the next phase of the competition and fix their defensive issues to turn their season around.
The quality in the squad is exemplified by the competition’s joint top-leading goal scorer, Marie Gauthier; if they can tighten up in defence, they could get a result at home this week.
Parramatta FC are one of the form teams of the competition – they are unbeaten in five matches, including three wins in a row, and will look to continue that momentum.
Marco Sama continued to step up for Parramatta as he scored his sixth goal of the season; his partnership with Youssef Badr will continue to be one to watch.
With a strong gameplan, players willing to press the entire match, form and momentum on their side, they should prove to be a formidable opponent this week.
This clash poses to be crucial for both sides as Bankstown United FC chase their first victory since Round Six, while Parramatta will hope to climb further up the ladder.
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Camden Tigers FC, 7pm @ Christie Park
Previous Meeting: Camden Tigers FC 6-2 Gladesville Ryde Magic
Gladesville Ryde Magic were unable to break down Hurstville FC last week in a 2-0 away loss, while Camden Tigers FC continued their strong form with a 1-0 win at home to Nepean FC.
These two sides will meet for the first time in almost four years; the Tigers beat the Magic in their last clash 6-2, in the 2019 NPL 3 NSW Men’s season.
Gladesville Ryde Magic will hope to convert their chances this week after a tough away loss in Round Nine, which saw them fail to score for the third time in four matches.
They will look to stick to their game plan of launching long balls down the field and diagonal balls in the hopes of their fast men getting on the end of them.
The Magic have eight different goal scorers this season, including Chris Gaitatzis and Kohki Hiyaoka on five each; they will hope to return to their good attacking form this week.
Camden Tigers FC continued their rise up the ladder with a win over second-placed Nepean FC last week.
They, too, boast the join top-scorer in the competition in Leandro Guzman, who will be raring to grab his eighth goal in ten matches this week.
A side that has a fighting attitude and quality across the pitch, the Tigers will stop at nothing to claim a sixth win from seven matches this week.
A win for either side could potentially see them move up two spots, respectively, on the ladder; momentum moving forward will be crucial based on the outcome.
Western Rage vs Hurstville FC, 7pm @ Rydalmere Park
Previous Meeting: Hurstville FC 1-2 Western Rage
The Western Rage will hope to claim victory this week after a tough 2-0 loss away to UNSW FC last week, while Hurstville FC will look to continue their form after their 2-0 away win over Gladesville Ryde Magic.
These two sides last met in Round 15 last season, where the Western Rage came away 2-1 winners courtesy of a 93rd minute goal from Julian Stojcevski.
The Western Rage will be motivated as ever to chase victory this week against a side they had recent success over in Hurstville FC.
Despite being winless so far this season, the Rage have also had a tough run of fixtures and will be hoping to compete against sides closer to them on the ladder in the coming weeks.
The Western Rage also play in Round Four of the Preliminary Rounds of the Australia Cup on Wednesday, April 5th, away at Jensen’s Park to League One Men’s side Canterbury Bankstown FC, who currently sit fourth.
As for the league, if they can find the fight within themselves, there is no reason they cannot come away with a result this week.
Hurstville FC, meanwhile, won back-to-back matches for the first time this season and will hope to build on that this week.
They have a diverse list of goal scorers with nine; Mouhamed Hamdache leading the charge with five goals, who they will hope will help power them to a third-straight win this week.
With a strong defence which has back-to-back clean sheets and an attitude to win regardless of how they are playing, look for Hurstville to give their all again this week.
There is a lot on the line for both teams as they chase victory for different reasons; look for both sides to give their all and leave it all on the pitch this week.
Inner West Hawks FC vs Fraser Park FC, 7pm @ Arlington Oval
Previous Meeting: Stanmore Hawks FC 2-3 Fraser Park FC
Inner West Hawks FC will look to rebound from their 2-1 away loss to Parramatta FC last week, while Fraser Park FC will look to continue their winning streak after their 1-0 win over Sydney University SFC.
These two sides will meet for the first time since the 2018 NPL 3 NSW Men’s season, where Fraser Park emerged 3-2 victors away.
Inner West Hawks FC will hope to build on the positives from an entertaining 2-1 loss last week, where they proved to be strong in the air.
The Hawks will hope to get their top-scorer Hesan Soufi involved, while they have shown their versatility in scoring the past few weeks.
They will have their work cut out for them as they face on of the in-form teams of the competition this weekend.
Fraser Park FC moved to five matches unbeaten, including a three-match winning streak, after their 1-0 win over Sydney University SFC last weekend.
With a combination of Alexander Nicolosi, Samuel Shepherd and Shu Torihara combining for eleven goals so far this season, Fraser Park have enough quality in attack to threaten any side.
With a side high on confidence and gaining results regardless of performance, they are showing signs of a team that will continue to be tough to beat in the league.
However, Fraser Park crashed out of the Australia Cup on Tuesday, March 4th, after a 2-0 loss away to League One Men’s side Northern Tigers FC.
Fraser Park created chances on the break but conceded two goals in the final ten minutes, while Lazar Drakulovic was sent off late for Fraser Park.
Regardless, this clash provides a dynamic in which Inner West Hawks FC will hope to rise a few spots on the ladder, while Fraser Park FC will look to close the gap on the teams at the top.
South Coast Flame FC vs Hawkesbury City FC, 7:15pm @ Sir Ian McLennan Oval
Previous Meeting: Hawkesbury City FC 2-1 South Coast Flame FC
South Coast Flame FC will look to push after they moved up to third following their 1-0 win away to the Newcastle Jets last week, while Hawkesbury City FC lost their third match in a row after their home defeat to Prospect United SC.
These two sides will face off for the first time since Round 15 last season, where Hawkesbury claimed all three points courtesy of a 90th minute winner.
South Coast Flame FC are one of three sides currently on a three-match winning streak and they will hope to improve that for a potential push up from third to second on the ladder.
They put on a good display defensively, while they also worked hard across the pitch for the whole match.
With Adam Voloder on six goals for the season, as well as a squad enjoying their football, the Flame will be a tough prospect for Hawkesbury City FC to overcome this weekend.
Hawkesbury City FC are winless in their last five league matches, including three-straight defeats, and will look to reverse their fortunes this weekend.
With their top goal scorer, Marco Turpeinen, suspended after his red card last week, Hawkesbury will have to adapt and rely on other players to step up in his absence.
They will look to create more chances this week and continue the midfield battle in search of an important three points.
Hawkesbury City FC are also in action in Round Four of the Preliminary Rounds of the Australia Cup on Wednesday, 5th April, away to League One Men’s side SD Raiders FC, who currently sit fifth, at Wanderers Football Park.
As for the league, they will leave it all on the pitch in the tough away trip this week in search of a positive result.
With a side in form against a side desperate for a positive result, the outcome will not be straightforward as both sides look to fight for victory.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
