Round 25 Preview – League Two Men’s
A top-three clash and a derby match with cup honours on the line await in Round Twenty-Five of the 2023 Football New South Wales League Two Men’s season as the battle at the top promises to take another turn.
The Match of the Round this week sees UNSW FC host Sydney University SFC, where the two teams will play in the annual Kennard Cup clash; it will be the 55th edition of the Cup, which started between the two clubs in 1960.
Earlier, Hawkesbury City FC look to continue their run as the league’s form side as they host the faltering South Coast Flame FC, before Parramatta FC look to win a third straight match as they host the in-form Bankstown United FC, which is followed by a clash between a Hurstville FC side looking to end their run of losses at home to the bottom-placed Western Rage.
Elsewhere, Camden Tigers FC will hope to respond promptly to last week’s loss as they host the top-two chasing Gladesville Ryde Magic, a 3rd vs 2nd clash will have huge ramifications as the Newcastle Jets host Nepean FC, while Fraser Park FC will hope to build at home against Inner West Hawks FC.
Before looking at the upcoming weekend’s action, Prospect United SC played their Round 21 catch-up match at home to Fraser Park FC at William Lawson Park.
Tuesday, 18th July 2023 – Prospect United SC 0-1 Fraser Park FC
Prospect United SC’s hopes of a push for the top two took another hit with a fourth loss in five matches following their 1-0 home loss to Fraser Park FC in their catch-up match.
The hosts had only played 48 hours earlier and were feeling that fatigue as they took to the pitch.
They lacked spark in the first half as Fraser Park capitalised, having had a day’s more rest coming into the match.
Fraser Park held possession for extended periods throughout the match as they looked to break down the Prospect defence.
Midway through the first half, Samuel Shepherd crossed the ball from the left side to Seisa Melbourne, in his second first-grade appearance, who flicked the ball on, but the ball was saved at point-blank range by Prospect goalkeeper, Archie Cerasoli.
Minutes later, in the 38th minute, Fraser Park took full advantage.
A cross was sent into the box by Shepherd after he had found some space; Shu Torihara leapt above the Prospect defenders and headed the ball into the back of the net to give Fraser Park a 1-0 lead.
Confusion reigned, however, as the referee had blown his whistle amid the goal hitting the back of the net to signal that it was to be ruled out.
However, after he consulted with his linesman, he overruled his initial decision and awarded Fraser Park the goal; the visitors took a crucial 1-0 lead into half-time.
In the second half, Prospect held the ball but could not create many chances and were flat in the final third as they searched for an equaliser.
They pushed late, which opened them up at the back and led to Fraser Park having two more decent chances to add to their lead late.
One of those chances fell to Sam Notarangelo, on his Fraser Park debut, while the other fell to Samuel Shepherd; neither were able to put their chances away.
The final chance of the match fell to Prospect; Bradley Dollin crossed the ball into the box, but it was headed out by Fraser Park late.
Despite late changes in the match from Prospect to utilise fresh legs to push for an equaliser, Fraser Park held on to the 1-0 win in the end in a match where both sets of players were tired.
With nine shots, including five on target for Fraser Park, compared to four shots with one on target for Prospect, the visitors picked up the important win.
The loss meant Prospect stayed in 6th place, ten points behind 2nd place, while Fraser Park stayed in 7th but moved within one point of Prospect and pushed six points clear of the teams below them in 8th, 9th, and 10th.
Prospect United SC will hope to regroup and make one final push following their bye this weekend, while Fraser Park FC will hope their first win in four matches can help propel them further into the top half of the ladder as they take on Inner West Hawks FC this weekend.
Now, onto the preview for this week’s matches:
Saturday, 22nd July 2023
Match of the Round: UNSW FC vs Sydney University SFC, 5pm at The Village Green
Previous Meeting: Sydney University SFC 3-3 UNSW FC
The Match of the Round this week promises to deliver something special; the two sides will compete for the Kennard Cup, which is the annual cup played between these two sides.
UNSW FC took out the most dramatic of late victories as two stoppage-time goals helped them overcome the Western Rage 5-4 last week, while Sydney University SFC played out a 0-0 stalemate at home to Fraser Park FC.
Ironically, in a scintillating Uni derby earlier this season, two stoppage-time goals from UNSW FC helped them rescue a point away to Sydney Uni; in a taste of what is to come, expect there to be more drama in this matchup.
League-leaders UNSW FC have a habit of securing points late in matches and did so last week away to the Rage; they will hope that is a sign of Champions as they look to maintain or extend their three-point lead at the top of the ladder.
Kevin Lopes continued to prove his worth up front as he reached 20 goals for the season and retook the mantle of the league’s top goal scorer; he will prove to be a menace for Uni’s defence both with and without the ball at his feet.
Hosting the Kennard Cup, which they reclaimed following their 3-1 win away over Sydney Uni last year, UNSW FC will hope to fire up more than ever as the competition nears the final stages, where every win will be crucial to keep the likes of Nepean FC and the Newcastle Jets at bay.
12th-placed Sydney University SFC were unable to break down Fraser Park FC last week and will face a different challenge entirely against UNSW this week as they chase to reclaim the Kennard Cup and potentially move into 8th.
They can expect to have less of the ball against a side strong in possession, which will open them up to create counterattacking opportunities, instead, where they will hope to muster more shots on target.
They have proven to be a tough side to beat lately, with only one loss from their past eight matches; if they can find their shooting boots on the counter and defend well against the second-best attacking side in the competition, the magic of a derby match with silverware to play for way well prove to be the deciding factor for them.
A derby match is always special, but when there is silverware on the line in a matchup that does not happen in the league every season, expect there to be plenty of fight and passion as more than just pride is on the line.
Friday, 21st July 2023
Hawkesbury City FC vs South Coast Flame FC, 8pm at David Bertenshaw Field
Previous Meeting: South Coast Flame FC 2-0 Hawkesbury City FC
Hawkesbury City FC picked up a fourth-straight win and moved to five matches unbeaten after their 2-1 away win over Prospect United SC last week, while South Coast Flame FC moved to an unwanted twelve matches without a win and a fourth-straight loss after their tough 3-0 loss at home to the Newcastle Jets.
The Flame were flying high in 3rd place the last time these sides met in Round 10, where a stoppage-time goal from Lucas Ayala helped the Flame into 2nd place on the ladder, while the Hawks were 13th; however, the two sides meet now in a flip of the form to that earlier encounter.
11th-placed Hawkesbury City Fc are one of the form teams of the competition and have had their say in recent weeks over the race in the top half of the ladder, including their win over Prospect last week.
The Hawks will hope to control more of the ball this week, while they still possess a strong threat on the counter and with a strong scramble defence, plus a winning attitude that has built to this point more than ever before this season, the Hawks have the winning attitude to go out and take the match to their opponents.
A win could move them from their 11th spot all the way up to 8th, if other results go their way; the Hawks will hope to keep flying high in the latter stage of the season and form dictates they will be favourites to against the Flame.
8th-placed South Coast Flame FC were dealt another blow at the hands of the promotion-chasing Newcastle Jets last week and are still yet to win a match in the second round of games this season.
One of their last wins this season was in the reverse fixture against the Hawks and the Flame could use that, plus the knowledge of both ending a losing run for themselves and ending the Hawks’ winning streak, as motivation.
Without a goal in back-to-back matches for the first time this season, expect the Flame to provide more of a threat in attack as they look to finish off the week with an important victory, which would keep them in touch with the top half of the table.
The form guide suggests Hawkesbury City FC should win this match against South Coast Flame FC, but in this league, nothing is guaranteed; expect the Hawks to fire and for the Flame to conjure up something as they chase their first league double of the season.
Saturday, 22nd July 2023
Parramatta FC vs Bankstown United FC, 5pm at Melita Stadium
Previous Meeting: Bankstown United FC 0-0 Parramatta FC
Parramatta FC found some more form last week and picked up back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season after their 2-0 away win over Inner West Hawks FC, while Bankstown United FC had their bye last week following a strong run of six matches without defeat, which included five wins.
The two sides could not be separated in their Round 10 clash in a match of limited chances; however, expect this match to be a different affair with both sides having found their strike up front and a keen sense of fight.
5th-placed Bankstown United FC will hope to return from the bye with a few returning players, including Matthew Paras and Corey Freeman, while they will be without Jack Slane, who broke his hand before the bye.
They will be well prepared to take on Parramatta this weekend and know the significance of taking all three points in this clash; a win could close the gap to just one point on Gladesville Ryde Magic in 4th place.
Their run towards the end is perfectly timed and poised to make a significant impact on the race for the top two late and they will hope to utilise their main man in attack, the league’s second-top goal scorer, Mitchell Cross, to put an end to Parramatta’s back-to-back wins.
13th-placed Parramatta FC defended smartly in their win over Inner West Hawks FC last week and will hope to keep that concentration going as they look to climb further away from the depths of the ladder.
The Eagles have worked hard on their zonal marking and will hope a solid display at the back will be the base they require for success once again.
A win could move Parramatta all the way up 8th place in one of the biggest moves of the season, given how tight the ladder is across the board; they will use that as motivation to do all they can to secure the three points this weekend.
With a late promotion charge on the line for Bankstown United FC and a potential five-place jump up for grabs for Parramatta FC, expect there to be plenty of chances as both teams chase their own successes.
Hurstville FC vs Western Rage, 7pm at Penshurst Park
Previous Meeting: Western Rage 0-0 Hurstville FC
The Western Rage fell in heartbreaking fashion as two late goals meant they lost 5-4 at home to UNSW FC last week, while Hurstville FC fell to a third-straight loss as their worst form of the season continued after a 4-0 away loss to Gladesville Ryde Magic.
These two sides played out a scoreless draw in a scrappy Round 10 encounter; expect this match to be a bit more open as both sides chase a victory which would help their respective seasons turn around.
9th-placed Hurstville FC fell to a third-straight loss after their defeat to the Magic in last week’s Match of the Round and will hope to turn their form around soon to stay connected with the top half of the table.
Usually one of the most defensively strong sides, Hurstville have conceded 11 goals from their last three matches and a lot of those goals have come from defensive mistakes or from failing to play out from the back without mistakes.
Their issues up front have been apparent, too, as they rarely threatened the Magic goal last week; expect a tough week in preparation for this week’s clash to motivate Hurstville across the pitch as they look to potentially close the gap to the top half of the ladder to three points.
The bottom-placed Western Rage will be heartbroken after their late loss to the league leaders last weekend but will be motivated by their performance to take it to the league’s top side as they look to move off the bottom of the ladder.
Jad Moussa was a man in form for the Rage last week and will be a threat once again, alongside Timothy Borg-Williams, as the Rage look to turn around their bad luck.
A win could move them ahead of Inner West Hawks FC if they lose against Fraser Park FC; expect the Rage to be battle-hardened and give their all once again as they hope for a more positive result for all their efforts.
With both sides looking to put disappointing results behind them, expect a strong response from both sides in a match which should deliver plenty of chances given the contrasting matches these two played out last week and earlier in the season.
Camden Tigers FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 7pm at Ron Dine Memorial Reserve – Carbiz Stadium
Previous Meeting: Gladesville Ryde Magic 3-0 Camden Tigers FC
Camden Tigers FC were given a tough lesson last week in a 5-0 away loss to Nepean FC, while Gladesville Ryde Magic put in a solid performance in their 4-0 win over Hurstville FC in last week’s Match of the Round.
The Magic were victorious 3-0 the last time these two sides met thanks to a Bailey Stevens hat-trick; expect there to be more firepower from the Tigers this time, however, as they look to put a disappointing performance last week behind them.
10th-placed Camden Tigers FC lost their first match in four weeks in a rough away defeat to Nepean FC last week and will hope to respond in style at home.
The Tigers have won their last three matches at home, including a big win over the Newcastle Jets and will hope to continue to make their home a fortress as they look to maintain their rise up the ladder.
With Dean Bradley back in the dugout as head coach this week for the remainder of the season, they will be hopeful of returning to winning ways sooner rather than later as they look to potentially close the gap on the top half of the ladder to three points.
The 4th-placed Magic ended their three-match winless run with that strong 4-0 victory last week and will hope to make one final push for the top two as the season enters its final weeks.
They have a smart player in Christopher Guyot, who can find space with ease in and around the box, as well as the always hard-running David Ustimenko, who can threaten on either flank; they will be ones to watch in this encounter as the third-best attacking side in the competition.
With a strong defence that remains compact and can limit the chances of their opponents, expect a strong showing from the Magic across the pitch, especially against an attacking Tigers team; with their youth and quality, the Magic will look to potentially close the gap to the 3rd-placed Jets to two points.
The Magic will settle for nothing less than a win as they look to carry on with their strong performances, while the Tigers will hope their biggest loss of the season will stir a reaction to come out firing this week; expect there to be plenty of chances in this match.
Sunday, 23rd July 2023
Newcastle Jets vs Nepean FC, 5pm at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
Previous Meeting: Nepean FC 1-4 Newcastle Jets
The Newcastle Jets picked up an important victory in their longest road trip of the season last week following their 3-0 away win over South Coast Flame FC, while Nepean FC put in a five-star performance over Camden Tigers FC in their 5-0 home win.
The Jets got the better of Nepean in Round 10’s Match of the Round at a foggy Wanderers Football Park; expect this clash to be much tighter with both squads strengthened and a defining match for the top two to take place in arguably both sides’ biggest match of the season.
The 3rd-placed Newcastle Jets went to a fourth-match unbeaten and ensured they stayed one point behind Nepean FC with a match in hand after their win over the Flame last week.
Ezra Palombini picked up his 13th goal of the season and remained in 3rd place on the top goal scorers list for the season; he is just one of many young players the Jets utilise in attack, where a strong midfield and attack often combine to create fluid chances.
A win would put them in prime position to make a run for the title and if not, a top two spot, given they have the match in hand over both UNSW FC and Nepean FC; expect them to give their all in arguably their biggest match of the season.
2nd-placed Nepean FC had Justin Biega to thank for their clean sheet last week and have shown their power in attack, where the goals have started to flow from their midfield players.
Lachlan Sepping has five goals from his last three matches for Nepean and has proved to be a menace for the opposition in attack and across the midfield; expect him to be the key cog for Nepean as they chase a tough away victory this week.
If Nepean can keep up with the pace of the match and take the game to the Jets, they will hope to wear them down as the match progresses and take a win that could move them to the top of the ladder and go a long way to securing their spot in the top two come season’s end.
There is a lot on the line for both sides with a top two charge hanging in the balance; the winner of this match will take a massive step to securing their place in the top two as they chase the title of champions.
Fraser Park FC vs Inner West Hawks FC, 5pm at Fraser Park
Previous Meeting: Inner West Hawks FC 1-2 Fraser Park FC
Fraser Park FC won their first match in four weeks after their 1-0 catch-up match victory away to Prospect United SC, while Inner West Hawks FC fell to back-to-back defeats and went to six matches without victory following their 2-0 home loss to Parramatta FC last week.
Fraser Park picked up the three points courtesy of a late goal to Shu Torihara in the two sides’ Round 10 matchup; the hosts will hope for the league double as they chase down the top five.
They will look to keep possession at home and punish the Hawks by pining them into their own half, given their troubles in playing out from the back lately.
A win could move them into 5th place and potentially close the gap to two points on 4th; with a string of negative results behind them, Fraser Park will hope to build towards the end with the likes of Shu Torihara, Samuel Shepherd, and new signing Seisa Melbourne.
14th-placed Inner West Hawks FC were unable to capitalise on a late surge as they fell at home to Parramatta FC last week; they will hope for a stronger showing in attack this time around.
They have struggled for the focal point in attack and the crucial out ball from defence without Peter Yannopoulos and will have to work hard to push out of their own end again this week amid pressure from Fraser Park possession.
A loss could drop them to last place for the first time this season; they will come out firing with a game plan ready to attack as they chase to keep away from the depths of the ladder.
With both sides in inconsistent form, players from both sides will have to step up and take charge in a match where one moment could provide the difference.
Bye – Prospect United
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
