Round 23 Preview – League Two Men’s

With the battle for second place getting even tighter and more teams joining the fight, Round 23 of the 2025 Football NSW League Two Men’s season will be yet another one which will shape the competition.

The Match of the Round this week focuses on one of those promotion hopefuls in South Coast Flame FC when they travel to take on Inner West Hawks FC.

Saturday, 12^th July 2025

Match of the Round: Inner West Hawks FC vs South Coast Flame FC, 7pm at Arlington Oval

Previous meeting: South Coast Flame FC 1-1 Inner West Hawks FC

Another big battle in the run-in for 2^nd place this season sees Inner West Hawks FC look to continue their strong head-to-head form against South Coast Flame FC, with important points for promotion for the Flame up for grabs.

Earlier in the season, a late goal from the Flame saw them salvage a 1-1 draw at home; the Flame will hope to end their five-match head-to-head winless run against the Hawks, who will hope to extend that streak to six matches.

12^th-placed Inner West Hawks FC fell in a tight 1-0 home loss to Gladesville Ryde Magic last week but will be out to end a four-match winless run when the Flame visits.

Having been kept scoreless in three of their past four matches, the Hawks will hope to convert their chances to dull the Flame.

A win for the Hawks would see them stay in 12^th, while a loss could see them drop to 13^th.

3^rd-placed South Coast Flame FC, meanwhile, surrendered the lead in the second half in their 1-1 home draw to Central Coast United FC last week but will hope to record a big win against the Hawks to bring them back into 2^nd spot.

Having only won one of their past four matches, the Flame will hope to find some consistency as they look for their first clean sheet since Round 17.

A win for the Flame could see them rise back into 2^nd, while a loss could see them drop to as low as 5^th.

With the Hawks having a strong head-to-head record against the Flame and South Coast hoping to regain their spot in 2^nd in their hunt for promotion, both sides will be hopeful of claiming all three points in this match.

Central Coast United FC vs Prospect United SC, 3pm at Pluim Park

Previous meeting: Prospect United SC 2-0 Central Coast United FC

Another big battle for the top two this season sees the in-form Central Coast United FC host promotion-hopeful Prospect United SC.

In the reverse fixture, Prospect recorded a 2-0 win; they will hope to complete the league double over the Pirates, just as was done against them by Central Coast in the 2024 season, while the Pirates will hope to shake up the promotion race with a win.

13^th-placed Central Coast United FC went a fourth match unbeaten after they came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw away to South Coast Flame FC last week and will hope to pick up a big result against a promotion hopeful for a second week in a row.

Ben Flakus and Jay Goodwin have been in form for the Pirates lately, scoring crucial goals to give their side points and will hope to continue to do so to earn them another big result.

A win for the Pirates could see them move up one spot into 12^th, while a loss would see them remain in 13^th.

2^nd-placed Prospect United SC, meanwhile, moved back into 2^nd for the first time since Round 15 after their 1-0 home win over Camden Tigers FC last week and will hope to maintain that spot.

Having kept three clean sheets from their past four matches, Prospect will look to continue to be solid at the back as the league’s second-best defensive side, while up front they will hope to convert their chances.

A win for Prospect would see them stay in 2^nd, while a loss could see them drop to as low as 4^th.

With Central Coast in form and Prospect looking to add another strong win to their promotion hopes, both sides will be confident of playing a strong match.

Camden Tigers FC vs Dunbar Rovers FC, 5pm at Ron Dine Memorial Reserve – Carbiz Stadium

Previous meeting: Dunbar Rovers FC 2-3 Camden Tigers FC

Camden Tigers FC will hope to move off the bottom of the ladder when they host a Dunbar Rovers FC side looking to move back into the top half of the ladder.

In the reverse fixture, an 89^th minute goal from Camden gave them a 3-2 away win over Dunbar; they will hope to complete the league double, while Dunbar will hope to get revenge away from home.

Last-placed Camden Tigers FC fell in a tight 1-0 loss away to Prospect United SC last week but will be buoyed by their performance in that match as they hope to snap their 13-match winless run when Dunbar visits.

The young Camden players will look to continue to step up amid injuries in the squad and will hope to build on their performance from their previous match.

A win for Camden could see them climb out of last place and into 14^th, while a loss would see them stay there for a third-straight week.

8^th-placed Dunbar Rovers FC, meanwhile, came from behind to grab a big 1-1 draw at home to promotion-hopeful Hawkesbury City FC last week and will look to build with new signings in the squad.

Having had strong periods of pressure against Hawkesbury last week, Dunbar will look to do the same away to Camden, firing shots on goal with consecutive attacks as they look to get back into form.

A win for Dunbar could see them move up one spot into 7^th on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop to 9^th.

With Camden out to end their winless run and complete the league double, and Dunbar looking to move into the top half of the ladder, both sides will leave everything out on the pitch as they look for the three points.

Gladesville Ryde Magic vs Hawkesbury City FC, 5pm at Christie Park

Previous meeting: Hawkesbury City FC 5-0 Gladesville Ryde Magic

Gladesville Ryde Magic will be out to shake up the promotion race when they welcome Hawkesbury City FC, a side well in the battle for the top two.

Earlier in the season, Hawkesbury went a fifth-straight head-to-head match unbeaten against the Magic thanks to a 5-0 home win; they will hope to complete the league double once again, while the Magic will be out to cause an upset.

11^th-placed Gladesville Ryde Magic snapped a six-match winless run after their 1-0 away win over Inner West Hawks FC last week and will hope to win back-to-back matches for the first time since Round 15 this week.

Having kept their fifth clean sheet of the season last week, the Magic defence will hope to step up once again as they look to stop two of the league’s three top scorers in Hawkesbury’s Vincent Dermilio and Harry Drew this week.

A win for the Magic could see them rise to as high as 9^th on the ladder, while a loss would see them remain in 11^th.

4^th-placed Hawkesbury City FC, meanwhile, managed a 1-1 draw away to Dunbar Rovers FC in Round 22’s Match of the Round and will hope to pick up a big win against the Magic in their battle for promotion.

The Hawks will hope to finish off their chances this week and having scored four goals in two of their past four matches will be confident of doing so, particularly with two of the league’s three top scorers this season in Vincent Dermilio and Harry Drew in the side.

A win for Hawkesbury could see them rise into 2^nd on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop to as low as 6^th.

With Gladesville hoping to build off a big win and Hawkesbury hoping to take a big step towards 2^nd, both sides will be hopeful of grabbing the win.

Hurstville Zagreb FC vs Parramatta FC, 5pm at Penshurst Park

Previous meeting: Parramatta FC 1-2 Hurstville Zagreb FC

Hurstville Zagreb FC will hope to move yet another step closer to the league title and promotion when they host a Parramatta FC side looking to snap a six-match winless streak.

Earlier in the season, Hurstville held on for a 2-1 away win over Parramatta; they will hope to complete the league double, while the Eagles will hope to cause an upset.

League-leading Hurstville Zagreb FC had their match away to Fraser Park FC last week washed out but will look to return to the field this week refreshed and ready to take on Parramatta.

Hurstville have kept four-straight clean sheets at home lately and will hope to extend that streak to five, while they will hope to extend their winning streak to nine matches with a win against the Eagles.

A victory for Hurstville could see them move 17 points clear at the top of the ladder as they look to win the league title as early as possible, while a loss could see that gap reduced to 11 points.

7^th-placed Parramatta FC, meanwhile, will hope to return from their bye last week refreshed and prepared to have a positive end to the season.

The Eagles will hope to put away their chances in this match as they look to give themselves a push for a late charge for the top two this season.

A win for Parramatta could see them rise back up into 6^th, while a loss could see them drop down into 8^th.

With Hurstville pushing on for the league title and Parramatta hoping to get back into form, both sides will hope to show attacking intent in this match.

Bankstown United FC vs Fraser Park FC, 7pm at Padstow Park

Previous meeting: Fraser Park FC 2-1 Bankstown United FC

Bankstown United FC will hope to continue their late charge for the top two against Fraser Park FC, who will hope to return from two weeks off refreshed and ready to take down Bankstown.

Fraser Park took out the reverse fixture 2-1 in a late win; they will hope to complete the league double, just as Bankstown did to them in 2024, while Bankstown will hope to win a fifth head-to-head match from their past seven.

6^th-placed Bankstown United FC won a third-straight match and go five matches unbeaten following their 2-1 away win over Sydney University SFC last week, with their hopes of promotion taking an upward turn.

Having scored late winners in back-to-back weeks, Bankstown will hope to continue to show their fighting spirit when Fraser Park visits.

A win for Bankstown could see them rise to 4^th, while a loss could see them drop to 7^th.

9^th-placed Fraser Park FC, meanwhile, had their match at home to Hurstville Zagreb FC last week washed out and will hope to return from a two-week break refreshed and ready to take on Bankstown.

Playing away from home for the first time since Round 15, Fraser Park will hope to win just their third away match of the season.

A win for Fraser Park could see them rise into 8^th, while a loss could see them drop to as low as 11^th.

With Bankstown hoping to make a late run for the top two and Fraser Park hoping to have good fortune away from home, both teams will hope to put in a strong performance in this match.

Sunday, 13^th July 2025

Sydney University SFC vs Nepean FC, 5pm at Sydney University Football Ground

Previous meeting: Nepean FC 1-0 Sydney University SFC

Sydney University SFC and Nepean FC will hope to respond from last-start losses when they meet to close out Round 23.

Earlier in the season, Nepean picked up a late 1-0 home win over the students; they will hope to win a fourth-straight head-to-head match against University, who will be out to break that run.

14^th-placed Sydney University SFC conceded their lead and then a late goal in their 2-1 home loss to Bankstown United FC last week but will hope to bounce back at home to Nepean.

The students will hope to continue to show progress late in the season given their upturn in results lately, with three wins from their past five matches.

A win for University would keep them in 14^th, while a loss could see them drop down to last place.

10^th-placed Nepean FC, meanwhile, suffered a 5-2 loss at home to Granville Rage in their Round 22 catch-up match midweek, with goals from Alexander Purves and Kye Hickman in vain in defeat, with the Rage completing the league double over the 10-man Nepean.

Nepean will hope to bounce back at home and with a league double on the line will hope to get the job done.

A win for Nepean could see them rise one spot into 9^th on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop to 11^th.

With University hoping to continue their recent run of wins despite their last-start loss and Nepean looking to respond from a tough derby defeat, both sides will hope to fight hard for the three points.

Granville Rage has a bye in Round 23 but won their Round 22 catch-up match away to Nepean FC 5-2, with a goal each from Michael Trajkovski, Timothy Borg-Williams and Asmir Kadric, and two goals for Jad Moussa, a win which moved them up from 6^th into 5^th.

By Football NSW League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa