Round 13 Preview – League Two Men’s
With plenty of surprises last week, Round 13 of the 2025 Football NSW League Two Men’s season promises to deliver just as much unpredictability with many teams looking to get back on track.
The Match of the Round this week sees Sydney University SFC back at home for a second week in a row as they host Gladesville Ryde Magic.
Saturday, 3rd May 2025
Match of the Round: Sydney University SFC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 5pm at Sydney University Football Ground
Last season: Gladesville Ryde Magic 2-1 Sydney University SFC, Sydney University SFC 3-0 Gladesville Ryde Magic
Sydney University will hope a second-straight match at home on their redeveloped surface will bring them success when they host Gladesville Ryde Magic looking to build off a big last-start win.
Last season; both respective home teams picked up the wins, but over the past three seasons the record between these clubs is split at two wins each, as well as two draws, meaning this matchup could be just as tight in 2025.
Last-placed Sydney University SFC returned home for the first time this season in their 2-1 loss to South Coast Flame FC and will hope to grab their first win of the season after their strong showing last week.
The students created 18 chances against the Flame, converting from the spot for their goal, but will hope to find their finish in front of goal to make more of those chances count against the Magic, who they have scored 13 goals against from their past six meetings.
Expect University to utilise the wide areas well, be strong from crosses and fight hard as they look to break down the Magic for their first win of the season.
11th-placed Gladesville Ryde Magic, meanwhile, snapped a three-match losing streak with a 2-1 away win over Prospect United SC last week and will hope to win back-to-back matches for the second time this season.
The Magic have failed to beat University in their past three visits to the University Ground but will hope to end that streak as they look to get back on track in their third-straight match away from home.
Bonmyeong Koo has scored in back-to-back matches and leads the Magic with five goals scored this season; he and the rest of the Magic attack will hope to lead the way as Gladesville look to build into their season.
With University back at home and fighting for their first win of the season and the Magic looking to gain some momentum while also ending a bad head-to-head away streak, both teams will be raring to get out and play for the three points.
South Coast Flame FC vs Dunbar Rovers FC, 5pm at Sir Ian McLennan Oval
These two teams did not meet last season.
South Coast Flame FC will hope to win a third-straight match for the first time this season when they host a Dunbar Rovers FC side hoping to do the same.
Having not met last season, Dunbar once again will face a new opponent while for the Flame they will welcome their opponents down to Kembla Grange.
3rd-placed South Coast Flame FC continued their strong form comeback after their 2-1 away win over Sydney University SFC last week and will hope for a third-straight win as they look to continue their climb up the ladder.
The Flame have scored the joint-most goals of any team so far this season with 30 goals from their 11 matches and they will hope to continue that, with the likes of the competition’s new leading goal scorer for the season in Jyden Harb up front, who has 13 goals, along with the support of the likes of Kade Kinsella and Adam Timpano-Voloder.
Expect the Flame to start strongly again at home, where they have only lost once from six matches this season.
8th-placed Dunbar Rovers FC, meanwhile, also won back-to-back matches after their 5-1 home win over Granville Rage last week and will hope to win a third-straight match for the first time this season.
After having only scored eight goals from their first nine matches, they have scored eight goals in their past two; with their attack showing a vast improvement, they will hope to catch out the Flame defence early.
The next three matches will be crucial for Dunbar to set their expectations for the rest of the season and therefore will be working extra hard to claim the three points in this match.
Both the Flame and the Rovers will be hoping to add a third-straight win to their repertoire this season as they look to push on towards the halfway mark.
Parramatta FC vs Camden Tigers FC, 5pm at Melita Stadium
Last season: Camden Tigers FC 2-3 Parramatta FC, Parramatta FC 2-2 Camden Tigers FC
A match where the league table does not tell the whole story sees Parramatta FC looking to get back to winning ways against last-start winners, Camden Tigers FC.
Last season, Parramatta picked up the away win before the match was drawn in the reverse fixture; Parramatta have the edge over the Tigers in recent seasons, with three wins and one loss against the Tigers, with the other two matches drawn.
4th-placed Parramatta FC went a fourth-straight match without a win after they surrendered the lead in their 2-2 draw away to Fraser Park FC last week but will hope to get back to winning ways to keep up with the top sides.
The underlying numbers were good for Parramatta last week, with plenty of attacks and 14 shots on goal, but they will hope to tighten up on the defensive end having conceded two goals in each of their last three matches, while only scoring four goals themselves.
Expect Parramatta to fight hard for the win back at home, where they have been winless in their past three matches, as they look to get their season back on track.
13th-placed Camden Tigers FC, meanwhile, return from their Round 11 bye ready to take on the Eagles away with fresh legs and a few more player returns.
Having conceded more goals than any other team this season with 28 goals conceded, the Tigers will hope to return from their week off with their defence as their focus when they travel to Auburn.
Expect the Tigers to have renewed energy to take on the Eagles, who they have scored two goals against in each of their last three away matches head-to-head.
With Parramatta and Camden both looking to get back on the winner’s list, the league table only tells half the story as both teams hunt down a big three points.
Granville Rage vs Bankstown United FC, 7pm at Garside Park
Last season: Bankstown United FC 4-1 Granville Rage, Granville Rage 5-4 Bankstown United FC
Granville Rage will hope to find some consistency when they host a Bankstown United FC side hoping to do the same in a big top-half clash.
Last season, both respective home sides picked up the win, but Granville have had the edge over Bankstown in the past two seasons with three wins from their four head-to-head matches.
6th-placed Granville Rage suffered a 5-1 away loss to Dunbar Rovers FC last week but will hope to bounce back quickly when Bankstown come to visit.
Unbeaten at home this season, including their return to Garside Park in Round 11, the Rage will hope to continue to make their home advantage count when Bankstown visit.
Having conceded ten goals from their past three matches, the Rage will look to make their defence their priority at home as they look to work their way up the ladder and continue their strong home form.
7th-placed Bankstown United FC won their first match in five after their 2-1 home win over Nepean FC last week and will hope that result serves as a springboard for them this season.
Marie Gauthier’s goal last week moved him to six for the season and he will hope to continue to fire as Bankstown’s leading goal scorer for the season, hunting down a goal for a sixth match from his past seven played.
A win for Bankstown away would be their first in four attempts; they will hope a win will bring them confidence away from home as they look to work their way back up the ladder.
With Granville and Bankstown both looking to pick up their fight in the top half this season, both teams will look to make their chances count in this match.
Nepean FC vs Fraser Park FC, 7pm at Cook Park (St Marys)
These two teams did not meet last season.
An intriguing clash in the middle of the ladder sees Fraser Park FC look to get back to winning ways against a Nepean FC side hoping to bounce back from a last-start loss.
Despite not meeting last season, these two teams did clash in the 2023 and 2022 league seasons in League Two Men’s and League Three Men’s, respectively, where Nepean went unbeaten with three wins and a draw.
10th-placed Nepean FC lost their first match in four after their 2-1 away loss to Bankstown United FC last week and will hope to bounce back at home.
Nepean have only lost two of their eight home matches this season, with four wins and two draws also coming; they will hope to improve their home record to make it a fortress for visiting teams.
With Harrison Fox and Jack Hoban looking dangerous last week without reward, they will hope to combine well with Nepean’s leading goal scorer for the season in Mathew Crossley as they hunt down a third-straight home win.
9th-placed Fraser Park FC, meanwhile, took the lead and then came from behind to grab a 2-2 home draw to Parramatta FC last week and will hope to build on that performance in their search of a win against Nepean.
Having not kept a clean sheet this season, Fraser Park will hope to make defence a priority away from home, where each of their five losses this season so far have come from.
Francis Mcalpine will be the main attacking threat for Fraser Park, and he will hope to get back on the scoresheet in this match.
With both Nepean and Fraser Park having enjoyed a string of wins before recent losses, both sides will hope to get back into form against the other in this contest.
Inner West Hawks FC vs Prospect United SC, 7pm at Arlington Oval
Last season: Inner West Hawks FC 3-1 Prospect United SC, Prospect United SC 0-2 Inner West Hawks FC
A match-up between two teams who had their fortunes flipped last week sees Inner West Hawks FC look to grab back-to-back wins when they host a Prospect United SC side hoping to get back to winning ways.
Last season, the Hawks completed the league double over Prospect; they will hope to add a third-straight win to that list while Prospect will hope to reverse their head-to-head fortunes.
12th-placed Inner West Hawks FC pulled off an upset 3-1 away win over league leaders Hurstville Zagreb FC in last week’s Match of the Round and will hope to use that big win as a springboard for their season.
Peter Yannopoulos returned from his two-week break with a hat-trick last week and leads the team for goals in 2025 with six scored from his nine matches; he will hope his efforts in front of goal last week will inspire confidence in the squad, particularly in the attacking sense.
The Hawks will be prepared for a tough, physical encounter against Prospect but will hope their performance last week will carry on into the next as they hunt back-to-back wins for the second time this season.
2nd-placed Prospect United SC, meanwhile, lost their first match in six after their 2-1 home loss to Gladesville Ryde Magic but will hope to return to the winner’s list sooner rather than later against the Hawks.
They will hope to welcome back Anthony Idehen and Dimos Vlachos to help the attacking side of their game, with the pair missing last week in their loss.
Prospect are unbeaten away from home so far this season, with three wins and a draw, and will hope to continue that run against the Hawks.
With the Hawks and Prospect coming off contrasting results last week, particularly to their respective seasons so far, both will be hopeful of grabbing the three points in this match.
Sunday, 4th May 2025
Hurstville Zagreb FC vs Central Coast United FC, 5pm at Penshurst Park
Last season: Hurstville Zagreb FC 0-2 Central Coast United FC, Central Coast United FC 0-3 Hurstville Zagreb FC
League-leading Hurstville Zagreb FC will hope to bounce back from their first loss since Round Three when they host last-start winners, Central Coast United FC.
Last season, both away teams had success in this head-to-head and this clash could prove to be just as unpredictable with many factors involved.
1st-placed Hurstville Zagreb FC had their seven-match winning and eight-match unbeaten streak ended after their 3-1 loss to Inner West Hawks FC in last week’s Match of the Round but will hope to bounce back quickly at home to the Pirates.
Michael Neill’s goal last week was his eighth of the season; he has scored in five of his past six matches and will hope to continue in that vein for Hurstville this week.
Expect a strong response from Hurstville, who will not have taken their loss last week lightly, as they look to continue to improve their position at the top of the league.
14th-placed Central Coast United FC, meanwhile, won their first match in eleven after their 2-1 home win over Hawkesbury City FC last week and will hope to cause a big upset when they travel to face the league-leaders.
Ben Flakus scored his first double of the season last week and will hope to continue to lead the line as he looks for a fourth goal from his past four matches.
Expect a spirited performance from the Pirates, who will hope their win last week will inspire confidence in the squad to grab back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
With Hurstville coming off a loss and Central Coast coming off a win, the battle between the league leaders and the side sitting second-last will be anything but predictable when they meet.
5th-placed Hawkesbury City FC have a bye in Round 13.
By Football NSW League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa
