2023 Playoff Preview: Nepean FC v Mounties Wanderers
It is officially do-or-die time for League Two Men’s side Nepean FC and League One Men’s side Mounties Wanderers FC as the two meet in a Western Sydney derby in the first of two legs in the 2023 Football NSW promotion/relegation playoff.
Nepean FC will hope to be promoted to the second division for the first time in their history – the club, founded in 2011, will hope to carry on their strong end to the season to ensure they have new company in the next.
For Mounties Wanderers FC, founded in 1978, they will hope a season where they have fallen well short of expectations does not culminate in relegation to the League Two Men’s competition and they will hope to turn late-season form into a story of survival.
Both legs will be shown live and exclusive on NPL.TV.
Here is what to look out for in the first of the two legs ahead:
Friday, 1st September 2023
League Two Men’s Promotion/League One Men’s Relegation Playoff First Leg: Nepean FC vs Mounties Wanderers FC, 8pm @ Wanderers Football Park
This is the first meeting between these two clubs.
History beckons in 2024 for both sides – a Western Sydney derby across two legs will decide who is playing in the League One Men’s and League Two Men’s competitions next season, respectively.
Nepean FC are based out of Wanderers Football Park in Rooty Hill having been previously based out of Cook Park in St Marys, while Mounties have plied their trade at a different Cook Park – theirs is based out at Cabramatta West, just 23 kilometres away from St Marys’ Cook Park.
Nepean FC finished in 2nd place on 57 points following the 2023 League Two Men’s season, where they fell five points short of the title to UNSW FC, while they held off the Newcastle Jets for the promotion playoff position by four points.
Their final match of the season was the decisive factor – they were one point ahead of the Jets ahead of Round 30, where they defeated Sydney University SFC 3-0 at home to clinch the spot, while the result did not matter for position as the Newcastle Jets lost 2-0 away to Hawkesbury City FC.
Their strong form in the second half of the season saw them claim 2nd spot – they are unbeaten in their past 13 matches, which includes eight wins, meaning they have all the momentum heading into this first-leg clash.
A big part of that success has been mid-season signing, Lachlan Sepping; the 21-year-old midfielder has scored nine goals since his mid-season transfer and the former Australian Under-17 international has also contributed his fair share of assists.
Alongside him, the Nepean attack including the likes of Leonard Abdo, Matthew Crossley and Luka Zepina have combined for 23 of Nepean’s 55 goals this season.
They will be a threat with pace and skill up front alongside the dynamic Paolo Laxamana, while Kye Soares has been a rock for Nepean in midfield with his efforts in both defence and attack.
Look for a solid defensive effort from Nepean, given they have kept 15 clean sheets this season and have only conceded 23 goals, the best defence in the league by nine goals, with plenty of thanks going to their strong goalkeeper, Justin Biega.
Richard Stewart at right fullback will be a threat in attack as he bombs up and down the flank; Mitchell King, Mason Ingram and Jack Hoban round out the strong Nepean starting side, while they have firepower on the bench.
Nepean have held their nerve in big matches this season, holding both UNSW FC and the Newcastle Jets to draws in the second half of the season in what ended up being crucial results for them.
Head Coach Stephen Appleby will have his side well-prepared for the encounter, where his side will look to play positive football; they will press high to win the ball back, attack with intent and have players across the park who will work their hardest in both attack and defence.
Nepean have the form and momentum heading into this clash and should have the confidence to put in a performance to be proud of – look for them to start strong at home in what is the most important match in their history.
Mounties Wanderers FC, meanwhile, have fallen short of expectations this season and despite a late-season push and change in form, found themselves second-last in 15th place in League One Men’s this season with 27 points, two behind Dunbar Rovers FC who secured safety.
Safety was still possible for Mounties following their shock win over eventual 3rd-place finishers Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC in the penultimate round, but a dramatic 93rd minute equaliser from 2nd-placed St George FC against them in Round Thirty saw them drop into the promotion/relegation playoff position of 15th by two points.
Mounties appointed a third coach this season in Adam Esho, who took over following the side’s 2-1 away loss to eventual Champions Hills United in Round Twenty-Four; he will hope to inspire his troops to safety.
Their late-season form will give them plenty of confidence given they took it to the two teams who ended up finishing the season in 3rd and 2nd, respectively.
They have been without their top goal-scorer in Jesse Spang but have plenty of other goal threat through the likes of Matthew Self, who has eight goals for the season, including two off the bench last week.
Players to watch for them will include Shun Maeta and Kuon Maliet, who will provide plenty of threat in wide areas, while Andre Schroeder will play in behind them.
Bruno Private will also play a pivotal role in the centre of midfield as they look to nullify Nepean’s strengths in that area.
Mounties have only kept two clean sheets all season against arguably tougher opposition but will be hopeful of turning up for the big occasion as they look to maintain their status in the second tier.
They scored 44 goals during the season, more than six other teams, but had the third-worst defensive record with 58 goals conceded across their 30 matches; they will hope for a significant improvement on both fronts as they chase safety.
Given their form and results lately, they will not be afraid of the challenge Nepean will bring to them; look for them to utilise the strengths in their squad effectively as they chase success.
Expect them to start smartly at Wanderers Football Park; the playoff is across two legs and so a positive result away from home would bode well for them heading into the second leg at home.
It is unknown territory for both sides heading into a promotion/relegation playoff and both will want to start strongly to give themselves the upper hand for the second leg.
Expect both sides to potentially start tentatively but stick true to their strengths early as they look to set a foundation for success across the two legs.
In front of a large, vocal crowd at Wanderers Football Park, this first leg will be one not to be missed with both the tensions and the stakes extremely high.
Don’t forget this match will be live and exclusive only on NPL.TV with Nikola Pozder calling the match.
By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta
