Round 5 Preview – League Two Men’s
With only one team left undefeated, the 2025 FNSW League Two Men’s season is as close as ever as the teams prepare for the start of the second month in Round Five in what could be a rainy weekend.
The Match of the Round this week sees Hawkesbury City FC look to build off their first win of the season when they host a Sydney University SFC side searching for theirs.
Friday, 7th March 2025
Match of the Round: Hawkesbury City FC vs Sydney University SFC, 8:30pm at David Bertenshaw Field
Last season: Sydney University SFC 2-1 Hawkesbury City FC, Hawkesbury City FC 1-0 Sydney University SFC
With both Hawkesbury City FC and Sydney University SFC coming off weeks where they scored three and four goals respectively, the attacking threat will be at an all-time high when these two sides clash.
Last season, the respective home teams picked up wins, but with this being a Hawks home match, they will hope to go a third-straight head-to-head match unbeaten at home against the students.
Hawkesbury come into this match on a high after their first win of the season last week, a 3-0 away success over Inner West Hawks FC, and will hope to build into the season off that.
The Hawks found success from crosses in that match, as well as with direct play down the field and will hope to use the confidence their forwards would have gained to help them do the same in this match.
With the Hawks on the up, expect them to step up once again as they hunt their first home win of the season against a University side they have beaten in their past two home encounters.
Sydney University, meanwhile, suffered their fourth loss in four matches to start the season after their comeback against Fraser Park FC fell short in a 5-4 loss, but will be confident given their attacking showcase.
Hamza Sweedan showed his class, scoring two long-range efforts, and the rest of the University squad will hope to be inspired by his and others’ performances in their past match to help give them the upper hand.
University should come into this match with plenty of confidence on the attacking side, which they will hope will lead to their first win of 2025.
With Hawkesbury coming off a win and University scoring at will last week, this match should prove to be just as unpredictable as the season has been so far, with back-to-back wins and a first win up for grabs, respectively.
Saturday, 8th March 2025
Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Dunbar Rovers FC, 5pm at Christie Park
These two teams did not meet last season.
Gladesville Ryde Magic will hope to go a fourth match unbeaten when they host Dunbar Rovers FC for the first time at Christie Park, the visitors looking to bounce back from their last-start loss.
Having not met in this competition before, both sides will be keen to scope out their new opponent and put in a strong performance.
Gladesville Ryde Magic were unable to break the deadlock in their 0-0 draw away to Granville Rage last week but will still be happy with their second clean sheet of the season and their three-match unbeaten streak, their best since the final three rounds of the 2023 season.
The Magic have won their first two home matches in 2025 and will hope to make that a third when they take on Dunbar, where they will hope their compact and tight defence will lead them to success.
Expect the Magic to keep the match tight and to stick to their gameplan which has served them well in the opening month of the season as they chase a third win in four matches.
Dunbar Rovers, meanwhile, suffered a 4-0 home loss to Prospect United SC following their bye the week before and will hope to make amends when they travel to Christie Park.
They will hope to rectify for their loss as they look for their first away win of the season; expect them to be at full focus as they hunt down a 90-minute performance.
With a refreshed squad in 2025, Dunbar will hope to have shaken off the early-season nerves as they look to power forward in the second month of the season.
With the Magic in good form and Dunbar looking to find the winning formula this season, expect both sides to put together plenty of chances as they hunt down the three points.
Parramatta FC vs Bankstown United FC, 5pm at Melita Stadium
Last season: Parramatta FC 2-2 Bankstown United FC, Bankstown United FC 4-2 Parramatta FC
A clash between two of the inform teams to start the season sees Parramatta FC look to overcome an opponent they have struggled against in recent years in Bankstown United FC, who will hope to get a win following their bye.
Last season, Bankstown went undefeated against Parramatta with an away draw and a home win – that made it four matches unbeaten for Bankstown against Parramatta, a streak which they will hope to continue and the Eagles will hope to break.
Parramatta won their third match from four to start the year after their 2-1 comeback victory away over Central Coast United FC and will hope to continue their strong start to the season against Bankstown.
Jordan Parfait scored three goals in two matches against Bankstown last season and having also netted against the Pirates last week, will be a threat along with the Eagles’ top scorer so far this season, Marco Sama.
Parramatta will hope to pick up the early-season scalp of Bankstown to showcase their intent to take on the competition this season.
Bankstown, meanwhile, will hope to win a third-straight match and continue as the only undefeated side left in the competition following their bye last week.
Playing a fourth-straight away match to start the season, Bankstown have made the most of it so far with seven points from a possible nine and will hope to continue their strong start to the season.
Last season’s Golden Boot winner, Mitchell Cross, has three goals in three matches to start the season but with the Bankstown side diversifying their goal scorers early in the season, the signs look good for them to continue that trend against Parramatta.
With both Parramatta and Bankstown in form to start the season, this match could be determined by small margins as the two sides hunt down the three points.
Nepean FC vs Hurstville Zagreb FC, 7pm at Cook Park (St Marys)
These two teams did not meet last season.
After both Nepean FC and Hurstville Zagreb FC won back-to-back matches to start the season, both have failed to win their past two and will hope to rectify that when they meet in this match.
These two sides did not meet last season but in the 2023 season this contest produced tight matches with a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 away win for Nepean – with the two teams’ defences being tight early in 2025, a similar story could unfold.
Nepean will hope to respond from their first loss of the season, 3-1 away to South Coast Flame FC, in a positive manner when they host Hurstville.
The hosts will hope to reduce the number of unforced errors this week and make it a fourth-straight home match unbeaten to start the season.
Mathew Crossley has scored six of Nepean’s seven goals to start the season and will hope to continue his good form, while Nepean will also hope to diversify their scorers in this match.
Hurstville, meanwhile, picked up their third clean sheet of the season after their 0-0 draw at home to Camden Tigers FC in last week’s Match of the Round and will hope to continue their strong form on the defensive end as they look for their first away win of the season.
They will hope to bring the physicality and aggression to Nepean in what will be a hotly-contested match and will look to make amends after their misfires in front of goal from the week before.
Expect Hurstville to come out full of intensity in this match as they look to convert an early chance or two to give themselves the confidence to come away with the three points.
With Nepean and Hurstville both looking to get back on the winners’ list, an aggressive and highly-intensive match can be expected, where both the individual plays and team efforts will make their mark on the contest.
Camden Tigers FC vs Granville Rage, 7pm at Ron Dine Memorial Reserve – Carbiz Stadium
Last season: Granville Rage 0-5 Camden Tigers FC, Camden Tigers FC 5-1 Granville Rage
A matchup which has produced a combined 23 goals in the last two seasons sees Camden Tigers FC host Granville Rage.
The Tigers have won the past four encounters against the Rage, scoring 19 goals and only conceding four – they will hope to continue that trend while the Rage will hope to break it.
Camden bounced back from back-to-back losses with a 0-0 draw away to Hurstville in last week’s Match of the Round and will hope to build off their first clean sheet of the season.
The Tigers are expecting to welcome back a few players from injury ahead of this match, which will help them in their quest to take down a Rage side which has been in form to start the season.
Expect Camden to once again prioritise defence in this match as they look to get a result at home against a side they have had success over in the past two seasons.
Granville Rage, meanwhile, went a third match unbeaten after their 0-0 draw at home to Gladesville Ryde Magic last week and will hope to make that four when they travel to Camden.
Having scored 13 goals already in the season, the Rage will hope to return to that form in this match, but will know the head-to-head record they will have to overcome to do so.
Expect the Rage to be more clinical in front of goal as they look to pick up a win in a match which has caused them trouble over the past few seasons.
With both teams coming into this match off respective 0-0 draws, both will want to fight hard to keep their clean sheets intact once again, while they will also look to push forward to create chances.
Sunday, 9th March 2025
Central Coast United FC vs Inner West Hawks FC, 5pm at Pluim Park
Last season: Inner West Hawks FC 2-3 Central Coast United FC, Central Coast United FC 0-1 Inner West Hawks FC
Both Central Coast United FC and Inner West Hawks FC will be hoping to end winless streaks when they meet in this Round Five matchup.
Last season, both respective away teams picked up the three points, with Central Coast picking up a 3-2 away win and the Hawks grabbing a 1-0 away victory.
Central Coast failed to capitalise on their lead against Parramatta FC last week in their 2-1 home loss but back at home for a fourth match out of five to start the season, will hope to make the most of that early against the Hawks.
With conditions expected to be much cooler this weekend with a chance of rain, Central Coast will hope to play to the conditions to pick up the three points.
Expect Ben Flakus to be the focal point for the Pirates, once again, as they look for their second home win of the season.
Inner West Hawks, meanwhile, went a third match without a win after their 3-0 home loss to Hawkesbury City FC last week and will hope to put together a better performance against the Pirates.
Having scored just one goals from their opening three matches, the Hawks will hope to rectify that by being more clinical with the chances they create in front of goal.
Expect a much-improved Hawks side this week as they look to pick up an away win in this fixture, just as they did in the 2024 season.
With both the Pirates and Hawks coming into this match off the back of three matches without a win, both will be desperate to grab the victory.
Prospect United SC vs Fraser Park FC, 7pm at Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub
Last season: Fraser Park FC 1-4 Prospect United SC, Prospect United SC 1-1 Fraser Park FC
A matchup which is always competitive sees Prospect United SC host Fraser Park FC to round out Round Five.
Last season, Prospect went unbeaten against Fraser Park, picking up an away win and a home draw – however, this fixture is always competitive with both teams enjoying success over the past few seasons.
Prospect won their second match of the season in convincing style and their first away, 4-0 over Dunbar Rovers FC last week, and will look to build off that win.
With only three goals conceded from their first three matches as well as a clean sheet in their last start, Prospect will be hopeful of continuing that momentum against Fraser Park.
Expect Prospect to press well and attack from all angles as they look to grab the three points against Fraser Park FC.
Fraser Park, meanwhile, picked up back-to-back wins after their 5-4 away win over Sydney University SFC last week and will hope to pick up a third-straight away win when they travel to face Prospect.
With multiple players contributing to goals, Fraser Park will be delighted with their input on the offensive end, while they will also have gained confidence after they came from behind to win last week.
Expect Fraser Park to continue their fight on the road once again as they look for a result against Prospect.
With Prospect and Fraser Park both coming off big wins, both teams will be primed and ready for this contest which could produce just about anything.
South Coast Flame FC have a bye in Round Five.
By Football NSW League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa
