Round 4 Preview – League Two Men’s
Round Four of the 2025 Football NSW League Two Men’s season will see teams put to the test as they look to see how their squad stands almost a month into the season.
The Match of the Round this week sees Hurstville Zagreb FC look to respond from their first loss of the season at home to a Camden Tigers FC side hoping to bounce back from back-to-back defeats.
Friday, 28th February 2025
Match of the Round: Hurstville Zagreb FC vs Camden Tigers FC, 8pm at Penshurst Park
Last season: Camden Tigers FC 1-2 Hurstville Zagreb FC, Hurstville Zagreb FC 4-1 Camden Tigers FC
There should be no shortage of passion when Hurstville Zagreb FC host Camden Tigers FC, with both teams looking to respond from tough losses last time out.
Last season, Hurstville won both home and away against the Tigers, which made it three head-to-head wins in a row against Camden; they will hope to extend that streak, while the Tigers will hope to end it.
Hurstville suffered their first loss of the season in what was their first away match after their 3-1 defeat to Gladesville Ryde Magic and will hope to quickly shrug off that defeat to return to winning ways.
Having created twelve chances and holding plenty of possession last week, Hurstville will hope to be more clinical in front of goal and not fall into playing against their philosophy in this match.
Expect Hurstville to hold the ball at home and fight hard to put away a chance early as they look to use their first loss of the season as a wake-up call for the squad.
Camden, meanwhile, will hope to respond to back-to-back losses after their 5-1 home defeat to Bankstown United FC.
They will be without defender Andrew Head for this clash, but will hope to put in a full 90-minute performance to challenge Hurstville this week, especially given they created thirteen chances against Bankstown last week.
Expect Camden to put particular focus on how they start the second half of this contest, given six of the eight goals they have conceded so far in 2025 have come after half-time, as they look to find that shift in mentality.
With both Hurstville and Camden creating plenty and hoping to find that clinical edge, the first goal, as always, will be important in this match, but more so how the teams take on the second half of the contest.
Saturday, 1st March 2025
Central Coast United FC vs Parramatta FC, 3pm at Pluim Park
Last season: Parramatta FC 2-3 Central Coast United FC, Central Coast United FC 1-0 Parramatta FC
Central Coast United FC will hope to respond from back-to-back losses when they a side which has had an up-and-down start to the season in Parramatta FC.
Last season, Central Coast got the better of Parramatta in both league fixtures, both by a one-goal margin; the Pirates will hope to repeat that once again in this round, while the Eagles will hope to end that streak.
Central Coast suffered back-to-back defeats following their 3-1 home loss to Fraser Park FC last week and will hope to turn those results around soon.
The Pirates were not short of chances last week, having twelve shots on goal, but will hope to execute those chances better in their search of their second win of the season.
With their underlying numbers looking good, Central Coast will hope to find their clinical edge against Parramatta to build confidence.
Parramatta, meanwhile, picked up their second clean sheet of the season following their 3-0 home win over Sydney University SFC last week and will look to build more consistency moving forward.
They will hope to stay competitive from the first whistle to the last and with their finishing having shown stark improvement from their opening match, the Eagles will hope to keep showing that improvement against Central Coast.
With Parramatta showing plenty of positive signs early in the season, they will hope to take another step forward as they prepare for the trip up the coast.
A competitive match can be expected when Central Coast United and Parramatta take to the field, where a clinical edge in front of goal could decide the outcome.
South Coast Flame FC vs Nepean FC, 5pm at Sir Ian McLennan Oval
These two teams did not meet last season.
South Coast Flame FC will hope to build on their last start win when they host one of only two teams left undefeated after three rounds in Nepean FC, who will look to continue their unbeaten league start.
These two teams did not meet last season, but in the 2023 season Nepean went unbeaten against the Flame with a win and a draw – with much changed lineups from two years ago, both sides will hope to write their own history this time around.
South Coast Flame FC held on for a tight 2-1 away win over Prospect United SC in last week’s Match of the Round and will hope to take control in what will be their third home match from four matches to start the season.
Jyden Harb has been the star for the Flame so far in 2025, with five goals from his first three matches, while Adam Timpano-Voloder will hope to score in back-to-back games against Nepean having netted against them in the 2023 season.
With the Flame showing their attacking edge so far this season, expect them to want to showcase that at home as they look to take down a Nepean side they will relish the opportunity to play.
Nepean, meanwhile, salvaged a late 1-1 draw at home to Inner West Hawks FC last week and will look to go a fourth match unbeaten to start the year when they travel to take on the Flame.
Out of the six goals Nepean have scored across the opening three rounds, five of them have come from Mathew Crossley – he will hope to continue his strong start to the season, while Nepean will hope to find the net from other sources, too, as they look to continue to build confidence.
With Nepean playing their first away match of the season, expect them to stick to their gameplan, hold the ball well and utilise their strengths to break down the Flame defence.
Both teams will be on the hunt for the three points and with both sides showing early-season promise, will hope to continue that journey in their bid to improve early in the year.
Granville Rage vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 7pm at Rydalmere Park
Last season: Gladesville Ryde Magic 4-2 Granville Rage, Granville Rage 1-2 Gladesville Ryde Magic
A match which always delivers plenty of goals sees Granville Rage host Gladesville Ryde Magic with both sides coming off back-to-back wins.
Last season, Gladesville completed the league double over Granville, which extended their unbeaten head-to-head streak to four matches – the Magic will hope to extend that to five, while the Rage will hope to halt that streak.
Granville turned out as big winners once again in Round Three after their 7-1 away success over Hawkesbury City FC and will hope to continue to show their clinical edge at home to the Magic.
With Asmir Kadric on five goals for the season, coming off a hat-trick, and Timothy Borg-Williams on four goals, the Rage frontline is firing and will hope to continue that trend as they look to win a third-straight match.
Having scored thirteen goals from their past forty shots, they will hope to put more teams on notice with their attack and will hope their gameplan will help them do so against Gladesville.
The Magic, meanwhile, showed patience and defensive resilience last week in their 3-1 home win over Hurstville Zagreb FC and will look to do the same once again when they take on the Rage.
They scored three goals from just five attempts on target last week and will hope to continue to hurt teams winning second balls and also on the break as they hunt down a third-straight win.
Having had recent success over the Rage and good form in 2025, the Magic will hope to pick up another scalp as they look to continue their strong start to the season.
With both Granville and Gladesville having success in recent weeks, the attacking power of the Rage will be on display against the resilient defence of Gladesville, where neither team will want to sway away from their successful tactics.
Inner West Hawks FC vs Hawkesbury City FC, 7pm at Arlington Oval
Last season: Hawkesbury City FC 0-2 Inner West Hawks FC, Inner West Hawks FC 3-0 Hawkesbury City FC
The battle of the hawks reignites when Inner West Hawks FC take on Hawkesbury City FC, with both sides hunting their first win of the season.
In 2024, Inner West completed the perfect league double over Hawkesbury, keeping a clean sheet in both wins; Hawkesbury, meanwhile, have only won one of their past four matches against Inner West and will hope to turn that around.
Inner West Hawks were minutes away from a win against Nepean last week but had to settle for a 1-1 draw and will be on the hunt for that win in their first home match of the season.
They will hope to take their chances against a side they have had recent success over and with their defence being tight overall to start the season, will look to use that as base in this match.
If Inner West can build some confidence in front of goal, they will be hopeful of scoring against Hawkesbury for their first win of the season.
Hawkesbury, meanwhile, lost a second-straight match, this time 7-1 at home to Granville Rage and will look to make amends this week.
Having had a rough start to the season with red cards, they will hope to find some more stability going forward through the likes of Harry Drew and Vincent Dermilio.
Expect Hawkesbury to put together a stronger defensive effort as a priority as they hunt down their first win of the year.
With both Hawks looking to win in this big match, expect Inner West and Hawkesbury to come out flying in the contest.
Dunbar Rovers FC vs Prospect United SC, 7pm at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
These two teams did not meet last season.
Dunbar Rovers FC will hope to return from their bye intent on winning back-to-back matches when they host a Prospect United SC side looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
With no meetings in recent seasons, this match will be a new proposition for both sides, with plenty to gain for both.
Dunbar Rovers had a bye in Round Three which followed their 2-1 win over Fraser Park FC in Round Two’s Match of the Round and will hope to grab back-to-back wins early in the season.
Dunbar have shown their intent with their squad early in the season, giving squad players and young players a run in the team early, which has had its successes, and they will look to continue to give chances to players in this match.
Expect Dunbar to come out with a positive attitude as they look to take down a Prospect side in what is looking to be a tight match early in the season.
Prospect, meanwhile, lost a tight Match of the Round last week 2-1 at home to South Coast Flame FC and will hope to bounce back with intensity against Dunbar.
They created twelve chances against South Coast Flame last week but missed the final moment against the Flame; they will hope to rectify that as the season progresses to be more clinical in front of goal.
With plenty of young players looking to prove themselves, as well as firepower ready to come off the bench, expect Prospect to continue to show improvement as they look to bring intent in their first away match of the season.
With Dunbar well-rested, looking to test their squad early with plenty of players fighting for position and Prospect hoping to bring intensity to this match off the back of a tight loss, expect both sides to come out in this match with early shots as they hunt for the three points.
Sunday, 2nd March 2025
Sydney University SFC vs Fraser Park FC, 5pm at Valentine Sports Park
Last season: Sydney University SFC 2-2 Fraser Park FC, Fraser Park FC 1-2 Sydney University SFC
Sydney University SFC will hope to win their first match of the season, just as Fraser Park FC did in Round Three, when the two teams meet in Round Four.
Sydney University went a third match unbeaten head-to-head against Fraser Park following a win and a draw last season and will hope to extend that streak to four matches, while Fraser Park will hope to reverse their fortunes in this fixture.
The students will hope to put together a stronger performance to end a run of three-straight losses and back-to-back matches without a goal.
With plenty of players still yet to return and feature this season, the young side will hope to prove themselves and will also hope the home advantage will play its part following three-straight away matches to start the year.
Expect the University defence to step up in their home match this week, while the students will hope their attack can click to bring them a result in this match.
Fraser Park, meanwhile, picked up their first win of the season 3-1 away to Central Coast United FC last week and will hope to grab back-to-back wins when they make the short trip to face the students.
Last season’s top scorer for Fraser Park, Francis Mcalpine grabbed a double last week and will hope to lead the Fraser Park attack once again, with a strong supporting cast alongside him.
Expect Fraser Park to play expansive football and press well to find success as they hunt back-to-back wins early in the season.
With both sides looking to take positive steps forward early in the season, both will have a lot to learn from this match where there are plenty of factors at play.
Bankstown United FC have a bye in Round Four.
By Football NSW League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa
