Round 21 Preview – League Two Men’s
The final third of the 2023 Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season has arrived and there is plenty to play for across the competition.
The Match of the Round this week sees a crucial mid-table clash as Bankstown United FC host Hurstville FC, where the winner will keep up with the top half of the table.
Earlier, an important clash for those chasing the top two sees Prospect United SC host Fraser Park FC, while another top-of-the-table clash will prove important as Nepean FC host UNSW FC, before Sydney University SFC and South Coast Flame FC look to end winless streaks.
Meanwhile, Parramatta FC and Hawkesbury City FC chase victory after winless streaks, before Camden Tigers FC host the Western Rage, while the following day sees the Newcastle Jets look to maintain 2nd spot as they host Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Inner West Hawks FC have a bye this round.
Saturday, 24th June 2023
Match of the Round: Bankstown United FC vs Hurstville FC, 7pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Hurstville FC 1-4 Bankstown United FC
Bankstown United FC are on their best run of the season, three matches unbeaten after a stoppage-time equaliser gave them a 2-2 draw away at Hawkesbury City FC last week, while Hurstville won their first match in six weeks, 1-0 at home over Camden Tigers FC.
Bankstown claimed all three points courtesy of an Amarie Gauthier hat-trick when the two sides met in Round Six and will hope for a league double over Hurstville to potentially move into the top half of the table.
9th-placed Bankstown United FC have climbed up the ladder in recent weeks and have put a five-point gap between themselves and Camden Tigers FC in 10th; their view is now set on chasing the top half of the table.
Their main man in attack, Mitchell Cross, moved to outright second on the season’s goal scorers list and will hope to be a menace once again for Bankstown amid a host of injuries which has left them with eight fit first-graders; they will hope their youth can help them as they look to keep hold of players heading into the transfer window.
With captain Steve Wright expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks through the reaggravation of his injury, Bankstown’s depth will be tested once again but their results lately and earlier in the season against Hurstville should lift them for this occasion.
8th-placed Hurstville FC won their first match in six weeks and moved to four matches unbeaten after their win last week and will hope to use that victory to power on moving forward.
Their defence has improved dramatically in the past month, with three clean sheets from their past four matches; look for them to make that a focus once again as they look to spring with pace in attack.
With strong combination play in attack and a willingness to settle with the ball, as well as danger in transition, Hurstville will prove to be a different prospect for Bankstown this time around.
A win could take Hurstville as high as 6th, whereas Bankstown could leapfrog them and move as high as 7th with success; with a gap appearing in the table, every point is crucial, and these two teams will give their all to push for victory.
Friday, 23rd June 2023
Prospect United SC vs Fraser Park FC, 8pm @ William Lawson Park
Previous Meeting: Fraser Park FC 1-1 Prospect United SC
Prospect United SC’s club record-breaking 10-match unbeaten run ended in a 3-0 away loss to Gladesville Ryde Magic last week, while Fraser Park FC scored with essentially the final kick of the match in a 3-2 home win over Parramatta FC.
These two sides could not be split the last time they met in Round Six, as Prospect came from behind and held off a late Fraser Park surge to earn a 1-1 draw; with a lot on the line and both sides close on the table, expect a similar close encounter.
6th-placed Fraser Park FC were valiant to keep pushing in their win over Parramatta FC last week; their 16 shots to 3 showed the type of match Parramatta goalkeeper Jameson Hinwood had to almost deny Fraser Park the three points.
Following a run of five matches without a win, Fraser Park have won two of their last three and will hope to have a statement victory over one of the form sides currently and move above them on the ladder.
Look for Alexander Nicolosi to be the main threat in attack for Fraser Park as they look to potentially close the gap to the top two to four points if results go their way.
5th-placed Prospect United SC lost their first match since their defeat at home to UNSW FC in Round Eight and will hope to make a late charge towards the top two come the end of the season.
Key injuries and fatigue in their squad has caught up with them and they will hope to put together an impressive performance this week ahead of the upcoming opening of the transfer window, where their squad will be bolstered as they look to make the top two.
There is plenty at stake and a loss last week could be what gives Prospect one final jolt as the season enters the final third; look for them to push Fraser Park all the way where a win could move them two points behind 2nd place.
With plenty at stake for both sides, who are in with a chance of making the top two heading into the final ten matches of the season, look for both to attack with power in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
Nepean FC vs UNSW FC, 8pm @ Wanderers Football Park
Previous Meeting: UNSW FC 3-2 Nepean FC
Nepean FC moved level with the 2nd-placed Newcastle Jets after their 4-0 away win over the Western Rage last week, while league-leaders UNSW FC fought back with two goals late to earn a 3-3 draw in last week’s scintillating Match of the Round.
UNSW got the better of Nepean in Round Six’s Match of the Round, where a 90th minute Max Mcalpine goal proved a crucial winner as Nepean scored their second goal in the 92nd minute as the match finished 3-2 to the students; expect plenty of fight this week as the two teams meet in exciting circumstances.
3rd-placed Nepean FC are capitalising on the Newcastle Jets’ drop off in form as they moved to four matches unbeaten following their strong win over the Western Rage last weekend; they will hope to move into the top two for the first time since Round Fifteen with success this week.
With a pattern of a 0-0 home draw followed by a 4-0 away win lately in their past four matches, Nepean will hope a draw is not on the horizon as they chase a fifth-straight clean sheet and continue to be the benchmark of the league’s best side in defence.
With only 19 goals conceded from 19 matches this season and five different goal scorers from their past two wins, Nepean will prove to be a worthy opponent for UNSW in a match where the result is critical for both teams’ seasons.
League-leaders UNSW FC earned a share of the spoils in an exciting Match of the Round at home to the Newcastle Jets last week and will hope to maintain or extend their four-point lead at the top of the table, as well as keep Nepean at bay to stop them from closing the gap between them to one point.
The students play exciting football and will look to utilise their variety in build-up play and attack to create problems for a resolute Nepean defence this week.
UNSW have a strong starting eleven and a powerful bench, shown as their match-equalising goal and pre-assist came from substitutes made just two minutes before their third goal last week; they will be hungry to maintain and extend their lead at the top, holding off the pursuing Nepean in the process.
Another exciting clash at the top of the table will be on show, where a league-double by UNSW FC would put them once step closer to promotion come season’s end, while a Nepean win would open both the top two spots for many of the pursuing sides, including themselves.
Saturday, 24th June 2023
Sydney University SFC vs South Coast Flame FC, 5pm @ Sydney University Football Ground
Previous Meeting: South Coast Flame FC 1-3 Sydney University SFC
Sydney University SFC moved to a fourth-straight draw after their 0-0 result at home to Inner West Hawks FC last week, while South Coast Flame FC moved to eight matches without a win after their 1-1 draw away to Inner West Hawks FC.
University came from a goal down in the second half to claim all three points in a 3-1 win over the Flame at Sir Ian McLennan Oval in Round Six; expect a clash this week which will be just as tight.
13th-placed Sydney University SFC are also eight matches without a win following their draw last week; they have five draws and three losses in that period.
They held the lead in two of those eight matches, while they came from behind to earn a point in one of them; the fight from the students will be tested against a side equally as wanting to earn victory this week.
With the transfer window opening soon, Uni will hope to have more than 12 fit first-graders and add some depth to help them convert their possession and chances into goals; they hope the run of converting chances starts this week, however, at home to the Flame.
7th-placed South Coast Flame FC have dropped from 2nd to 7th since their winless run started in Round Twelve and will hope to fire back following their bye against another side struggling for results.
They will hope the week off with the bye will help them reset and refocus their efforts on getting a positive result this week; still with the second-best defence in the league, expect them to use that as a platform for victory this week.
Despite only three goals from their past five matches, a run towards the top two once more is still possible for the Flame, but the light is dimming and a win this week could be crucial to their season.
Sydney University SFC want to turn draws into wins to avoid dropping towards last place, while South Coast Flame FC will hope to reignite their season in the final ten matches; expect an encounter with tight defences and a moment which could seal a result for either side.
Parramatta FC vs Hawkesbury City FC, 5pm @ Melita Stadium
Previous Meeting: Hawkesbury City FC 2-2 Parramatta FC
Parramatta FC let a lead slip late in their 3-2 away loss to Fraser Park FC last week, while Hawkesbury City FC remained bottom of the ladder after their late 2-2 draw at home to Bankstown United FC.
Parramatta led a two-goal lead slip in the Round Six encounter between these two sides, where a 77th minute Harry Drew goal rescued a point for the Hawks on their home turf; a lead will not guarantee victory this week, as shown by these two sides’ matches last week.
12th-placed Parramatta FC have lost their past four matches and have found themselves far away from the sides in the top half of the table.
Injuries and departures have left them with a noticeably young squad, one which they will hope to bolster in the upcoming transfer window, but they will need to eradicate mistakes from their game if they are to pick up victories moving forward.
Their goalkeeper, Jameson Hinwood, will be crucial once again against the lethal Hawkesbury attack and Parramatta will need to apply themselves across the pitch to deny the visitors from picking up any points this week as they hunt a potential move into 10th.
15th-placed Hawkesbury City FC will be hoping to climb off the bottom of the ladder and hold on to a lead if they get it after their draw last week, where they led from the 17th minute until the 93rd minute before they conceded an equaliser.
Luck has not been on their side lately and they will hope for a first victory in eight weeks to start the final third of the season with some positive intent.
With two sides out of form, one may play themselves back into it as the final score could end up as anything; look for an exciting encounter with plenty of attacking force and points to prove.
Camden Tigers FC vs Western Rage, 7pm @ Ron Dime Memorial Reserve – Carbiz Stadium
Previous Meeting: Western Rage 2-4 Camden Tigers FC
Camden Tigers FC fell in a tight defeat away to Hurstville FC last week, while the Western Rage’s five-match unbeaten streak ended in a 4-0 home loss to Nepean FC.
The Tigers overcame the Rage in a thrilling Round Six clash, where the Rage came from behind to level the match before the Tigers took it out, 4-2 in the end; expect plenty of goals this time around, too.
10th-placed Camden Tigers FC are five points away from 9th-place, but only seven points separate them and last place, making the matches heading into the final third of the season important for the club to finish as high as they can on the ladder.
The improvements in the team have seen the number of goals conceded go lower; despite being without a clean sheet in ten matches, they will hope their defence will hold them in good stead this week.
The Tigers will look to press the Rage and utilise good ball speed to create chances in the attacking third; they will hope their gameplan will help them towards a third win in six matches.
The 14th-placed Western Rage lost for the first time in six weeks in a 4-0 home loss to promotion-chasing Nepean FC last week and will hope to bounce back with the form they had prior to that defeat.
They will hope to continue enjoying their football like they had in the five weeks prior and use the loss as motivation to go again.
Look for the Rage to try and hold the ball when they can and play smart in possession in the tough away trip to Camden, where a win could move them further away from the bottom of the table.
With plenty on show in attack for the Tigers and plenty for the Rage to play for, expect another tough matchup where goals could fly in at both ends amid a chase for victory.
Sunday, 25th June 2023
Newcastle Jets vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 5pm @ Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
Previous Meeting: Gladesville Ryde Magic 0-3 Newcastle Jets
The Newcastle Jets let a two-goal lead slip in their top-of-the-table clash against UNSW FC in last week’s Match of the Round as they settled for a 3-3 draw, while Gladesville Ryde Magic went to six matches unbeaten after their 3-0 win over Prospect United SC.
The Jets were the stronger of the two sides when they met in Round Six as they came away with a 3-0 win away from home; look for the intensity in the match to be high as two young sides face off.
The 2nd-placed Newcastle Jets are in unfamiliar territory; winless in three matches, they will hope to wrestle back their season and promotion hopes against another side hopeful of promotion in the Magic.
With players willing to battle in midfield and an abundance of pace up front, look for the Jets to vary their play in possession as they try and create an opening against a strong Magic defence.
A win could move the Jets to within a point of UNSW FC if results go their way, while a loss could drop them down to as low as 4th; with places at the top getting tighter, every point and victory will be crucial for the Jets in their promotion charge.
The 4th-placed Gladesville Ryde Magic will hope for a victory to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches and potentially move into the promotion-playoff place of 2nd.
Without a first-grade goalkeeper and with their top-goal scorer Chris Gaitatzis out for the rest of the season, the young side will hope to hold out and really earn their victory away to the Jets this week before they can sign replacements in the upcoming transfer window.
If they can manage to hold on, it would be the biggest victory of their season as they chase the possibility of getting promoted come season’s end.
2nd vs 4th promises to be a match with grand outcomes for the remainder of the season; despite injuries, expect both sides to fight until the very end and for the match to be remarkably close.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
