Round 11 Preview – League Two Men’s
Round Eleven of the Football NSW League Two Men’s season will see one top six clash, while the rest of the competition will try to forge their own pathways in pursuit of the leading pack.
The Match of the Round sees Prospect United SC look to return from the bye and claim back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they host Bankstown United FC, who will look to return to the winner’s circle.
Meanwhile, Parramatta FC will look to extend their six-match unbeaten run as a desperate Nepean FC visit, UNSW FC will hope to build their lead at the top as they host the chasing Gladesville Ryde Magic, while Fraser Park FC will try to turn a six-match unbeaten streak into seven as Camden Tigers FC visit.
Elsewhere, Hurstville FC will look to build on their three-match unbeaten streak as South Coast Flame FC chase five-straight wins, the Western Rage will search for victory at home to Sydney University SFC, before the Newcastle Jets look to chase the top two as Inner West Hawks FC visit.
Hawkesbury City FC have a bye this round.
Saturday, 15th April 2023
Match of the Round: Prospect United SC vs Bankstown United FC, 7pm @ William Lawson Park
Previous Meeting: Prospect United 1-4 Bankstown United FC
Prospect United SC return from their bye last week fresh and ready to chase back-to-back victories, while Bankstown United FC were unable to breakdown a resolute Parramatta FC in a 0-0 home draw.
These two sides will meet for the first time in almost five years, since the 2018 NSW State League Men’s season, where a first-half blitz helped the visitors claim all three points.
Prospect will look to build positive momentum, with seven points from their last four matches, as they hope to climb towards the upper half of the table.
However, they will unfortunately be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Brendan Allen, who is out for the rest of the season after the ankle injury he suffered in his side’s Round Nine win over Hawkesbury City FC.
Prospect United SC also play in Round Four of the Preliminary Rounds of the Australia Cup on Wednesday, April 12th, as they travel to Seymour Shaw to face NPL NSW side, Sutherland Sharks FC, who currently sit twelfth in their competition.
With a week to reflect and another reason to push on, Prospect will use all the motivation they can to earn another victory this week against Bankstown United FC.
Bankstown United responded to back-to-back losses with a tough draw against Parramatta last week and will look to build on their first clean sheet of the season.
Scott Belgre’s side will hope to return to winning ways and get the league’s equal-second top scorer, Marie Gauthier, more involved as they look to create more chances.
With he and Mitchell Cross having already combined for thirteen goals this season, the duo will look to punish the Prospect defence away.
However, Bankstown United FC crashed out of the Australia Cup on Tuesday, April 11th, as they fell 2-0 to Illawarra Premier League side, Wollongong Olympic FC.
With the sides separated by just one point on the ladder, this clash will provide a springboard for one team to bounce off into the future rounds.
Parramatta FC vs Nepean FC, 5pm @ Melita Stadium
Previous Meeting: Nepean FC 1-1 Parramatta FC
Parramatta FC were unable to grab a crucial goal in their 0-0 draw away to Bankstown United FC last week, while Nepean FC lost their third game in four matches after their 4-1 loss in the Grand Final rematch against the Newcastle Jets.
These two sides last met in Round 19 last season, where Nepean FC completed the league double over Parramatta FC, with a second 1-0 victory.
Parramatta FC are on the equal-longest unbeaten run of the season and will look to continue their push up the ladder with an impressive performance this upcoming week.
Marco Sama and Youssef Badr will hope to create more chances for their side at home this week after Parramatta failed to score in a match for the first time since Round Three.
Parramatta also had a defeat on Tuesday, April 11th, as they fell to League One side Hakoah Sydney City East FC 7-0 in the Australia Cup.
However, on a positive note, Parramatta could build on their first clean sheet of the season as they look ahead at the teams above them on the ladder, starting with Nepean FC.
Nepean will hope to have better decision-making in the final third as Steven Appleby’s side look for more leadership.
With good victories achieved by the side earlier in the season, they will hope to find a way to play themselves back into form with new combinations in the side, given injuries, also.
If they can find that groove they had earlier in the season, a result for Nepean against an in-form Parramatta FC side is possible.
With Parramatta FC looking to push towards the top half of the table and Nepean FC looking to avoid falling towards the pack, the outcome of this match will set the tone even more going forward.
UNSW FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 5pm @ The Village Green
Previous Meeting: Gladesville Ryde Magic 1-0 UNSW
UNSW FC gained a valuable point late in the derby against Sydney University SFC last week in a 3-3 draw, while Gladesville Ryde Magic claimed a crucial win at home against Camden Tigers FC.
This is a fresh fixture for these two teams, given they will meet for the first time since the Men’s 2012 NSW State League Division One season, where the Magic claimed a 1-0 victory.
UNSW escaped with a 3-3 draw last week with two goals in stoppage time and will hope to convert earlier in the match this week against the Magic.
Despite playing well, mistakes in offence and defence cost UNSW and they will hope to erase any complacency as they look to continue their push at first place in the league.
With the competition’s leading goal scorer Kevin Lopes, alongside Jack Fulton and Mathias Da Silva Santos, all will be looking to take their chances at home this week.
Gladesville Ryde Magic had an impressive victory last week as they claimed a 3-0 win at home over the in-form Camden Tigers FC.
With Bailey Stevens’ hat-trick, the Magic now have three players on four or more goals this season, as well as eight different goal scorers, and are the fourth-highest scoring team in the competition.
A victory could take the Magic as high as second on the ladder by the end of the weekend; that shows the level there are looking to compete with currently.
With a team with such lofty standards in UNSW FC looking to push on and stop at nothing in their pursuit of promotion, Gladesville Ryde Magic will be tested and look to be a test for the league leaders this week.
Fraser Park FC vs Camden Tigers FC, 7pm @ Fraser Park
Previous Meeting: Fraser Park FC 0-3 Camden Tigers FC
Fraser Park FC won their fourth match in a row as they went six games unbeaten after their 2-1 win away over Inner West Hawks FC last week, while Camden Tigers FC lost in back-to-back away matches after they fell 3-0 to Gladesville Ryde Magic last week.
These two sides last met in Round Fourteen last season, where the Tigers completed the league double courtesy of a 3-0 victory.
Fraser Park FC hit the Hawks on the break last week as their gameplan led them to victory.
Shu Torihara scored to bring him level as the club’s top scorer with four goals for the season; he will hope to link up again this week with Alexander Nicolosi and Samuel Shepherd.
They are one of the form teams of the competition currently and playing at their fortress at home, the hosts will look to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches this week.
Camden Tigers FC, meanwhile, have had indifferent form of late, having lost two of their last three matches following four-straight wins.
Despite being the third-highest scoring side in the league, the Tigers have only managed two goals from their last three matches and will hope to rectify that this weekend.
It will be a test away from home against a stubborn Fraser Park defence which has only conceded three goals in their last five matches.
With a team in form in Fraser Park FC looking to push towards the upper reaches of the table against a Camden Tigers FC looking to find consistency in their form, both sides will push until the end.
Hurstville FC vs South Coast Flame FC, 7pm @ Penshurst Park
Previous Meeting: South Coast Flame 3-3 Hurstville FC
Hurstville FC were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw away to the Western Rage last week, while South Coast Flame FC pushed into second place on the ladder after their 4-0 home win over Hawkesbury City FC.
These two sides played out an enthralling 3-3 draw in Round Nineteen last season, where Hurstville grabbed a 90th minute equaliser to earn a point late.
Hurstville FC extended their unbeaten run to three matches with a draw last week as they showed more positive signs.
One of those positives was their ability to hold on to possession and create a few chances through their ability to push their opponent back.
However, Hurstville crashed out of the Australia Cup at home on Tuesday, April 11th, to fellow League Two side Sydney University SFC, after Brett Wilson scored the winner in added time, in the 101st minute.
With three clean sheets in a row in the league, Hurstville have a solid base to defend from; if the likes of Mouhamed Hamdache and Jesse Gagro can provide in attack, Hurstville could be on their way to another positive result.
South Coast Flame FC are one of the form teams of the competition; with a club record-breaking four straight wins, they will be motivated to continue to create history.
Adam Voloder will hope to add to his season’s tally of seven goals as his side chase a fifth-straight win and, potentially, climb to first place on the ladder.
With ten goals in total from the fixtures between these two sides last season, expect this season’s encounter to be a bit tighter as the sides chase crucial points.
Western Rage vs Sydney University SFC, 7pm @ Rydalmere Park
Previous Meeting: Sydney University SFC 4-2 Granville Rage
The Western Rage earned their second point of the season aftter a 0-0 draw at home to Hurstville FC, while Sydney University SFC broke their three-match losing streak with a thrilling 3-3 derby draw with UNSW FC.
These two sides will meet for the first time since the final round of the 2019 NPL 3 NSW Men’s competition, where Sydney University took out the victory, 4-2.
The Western Rage will look to build on the positive that was their second clean sheet of the season, and their first since Round One.
With another match at home this week, familiarity and repetition could be a key factor for the Rage as they chase their first win of the season.
Motivation will not be lacking in the squad as they prepare for another tough challenge this week.
Sydney University SFC were minutes away from victory over rivals UNSW FC last week and will hope to push on to close out matches moving forward.
They will look to gain control of the match and put the Rage under pressure early in the hopes of an early goal.
Furthermore, Sydney University progressed to the next round of the Australia Cup courtesy of a 101st minute goal from Brett Wilson in a 1-0 win away to fellow League Two side, Hurstville FC.
If they can learn from their mistakes from weeks gone by, they could pick up their first win since Round Six this week.
With two sides desperate to get into the winner’s list this week, look for a resolute Rage and battle-hardened Sydney University to fight until the final whistle.
Sunday, 16th April
Newcastle Jets vs Inner West Hawks FC, 5pm @ Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
This is the first meeting between these two clubs.
The Newcastle Jets claimed a statement 4-1 victory away to Nepean FC last week, while Inner West Hawks FC fell 2-1 at home to Fraser Park FC.
This will be the first meeting between these two clubs in Football New South Wales competition.
The Jets showed all their might last week against a weakened Nepean FC side as they displayed their talents across the field.
In attack, clever hold up play, player and ball movement between the lines, close dribbling and strong defence were highlighted in the rainy conditions.
Having only conceded two goals in their last four matches, plus the likes of Ezra Palombini and captain Adam Zervas proving evasive in midfield, the Jets could prove a scary opponent this week.
Inner West Hawks FC fell in their attempt to come back against Fraser Park FC last week but will look to use the positive signs from that performance this week.
With all but one of their five losses coming by a one goal margin, the Hawks have been in every match, but will need to discover a killer edge if they are to take more points.
Look for Hesan Soufi and Andre Guzman to lead the attack again as the Hawks look to fight until the end away to another tough opponent in their rough run of fixtures.
With the Jets pushing towards top spot and the Hawks looking to pull away from the bottom of the ladder, the application of lessons learned could prove the difference in this matchup.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
