Round 24 Preview – League Two Men’s
With plenty of teams in the fight for promotion and the rounds running out to secure that 2nd spot, the top six sides will continue to fight in Round 24 of the 2025 Football NSW League Two Men’s season.
The Match of the Round this week focuses elsewhere, however, as Fraser Park FC officially welcomes in their home ground in 2025 with a stadium revamp launch when they host Inner West Hawks FC.
Sunday, 20th July 2025
Match of the Round: Fraser Park FC vs Inner West Hawks FC, 3:50pm at Fraser Park
Previous meeting: Inner West Hawks FC 1-3 Fraser Park FC
Fraser Park FC will host their stadium revamp launch when they welcome Inner West Hawks FC to Fraser Park as they also look to hunt down a top-half finish.
In the reverse fixture, a hat-trick from Francis Mcalpine led Fraser Park to a 3-1 away win; they will hope to complete the league double over the Hawks, just as they did in the 2023 season, while Inner West will hope to spoil Fraser Park’s homecoming.
9th-placed Fraser Park lost back-to-back matches for the first time since Round 15 in their 1-0 away loss to Bankstown United FC last week but will hope to have a happy homecoming to Fraser Park this week.
Having not scored in back-to-back matches, the hosts will hope to return to form this week with a big day out at home for the players and the club.
A win for Fraser Park would see them stay in 9th, while a loss could see them drop to as low as 11th.
Before this match, however, Fraser Park host the league-leading Hurstville Zagreb FC at Fraser Park on Wednesday, 16th July at 7:30pm and will hope to cause an upset.
12th-placed Inner West Hawks, meanwhile, went five matches without a win after their 6-3 home loss to South Coast Flame FC last week but will hope to spoil the Fraser Park party this week.
With their attack firing up last week, the Hawks will hope to keep their momentum going forward, while at the back they will hope to limit Fraser Park’s chances.
A win for the Hawks would see them stay in 12th, while a loss could see them drop to 13th.
With Fraser Park hoping to have a happy homecoming and Inner West Hawks hoping to spoil it, this clash should provide a breath of fresh air as both sides chase the win.
Saturday, 19th July 2025
Central Coast United FC vs Granville Rage, 3pm at Pluim Park
Previous meeting: Granville Rage 4-0 Central Coast United FC
A big match with ramifications for the race for 2nd sees Central Coast United FC look to respond to their first loss in five when they host top two chasing Granville Rage.
In the reverse fixture, Granville recorded a 4-0 win over the Pirates; they will hope to complete the league double while Central Coast will be out to make their mark on the promotion race.
13th-placed Central Coast United FC suffered a 3-0 home loss to Prospect United SC last week but will hope to return to form when they host the Rage.
Central Coast have won matches lately where they have both scored first and conceded first, so will be hopeful of playing to the conditions of this match to pick up a positive result.
A win for Central Coast could see them rise one spot into 12th, while a loss would see them stay in 13th.
6th-placed Granville Rage, meanwhile, return from their bye on a seven-match unbeaten run, including a last-start 5-2 away win over Nepean, and will hope to continue in that vein as they look to make a push for 2nd spot.
Granville will hope to cause problems for the Central Coast defence, particularly through their top goal scorer for the season, Timothy Borg-Williams, who scored a double in the reverse fixture and will hope to add to his 12 goals for the season.
Just six points behind 2nd-placed Prospect United SC, a win for Granville could see them rise two spots into 4th on the ladder, while a loss would see them remain in 6th.
With Central Coast hoping to get back on track for their positive end to the season and Granville Rage looking to stay in the promotion hunt, both sides will hope to pick up the three points in this clash.
Parramatta FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 5pm at Melita Stadium
Previous meeting: Gladesville Ryde Magic 0-4 Parramatta FC
Parramatta FC will look to end their seven-match winless streak against an opponent they have a positive head-to-head record against in Gladesville Ryde Magic, who will look to win a second match from their past three.
In the reverse fixture, Parramatta kept a third-straight head-to-head clean sheet over the Magic in their 4-0 win; having a combined score of 14-0 in their past three matches combined against Gladesville, Parramatta will hope to continue that form while the Magic will hope to get revenge.
7th-placed Parramatta FC lost a third-straight match for the first time this season following their 3-0 away loss to Hurstville Zagreb FC last week but will hope to snap that run against the Magic at home.
Parramatta will focus on attack heavily in this match, having only scored three goals total from their past six matches, and will hope confidence in front of goal can inspire them not only in this match, but also for the rest of the season.
A win for Parramatta would see them remain in 7th, while a loss could see them drop to 8th.
10th-placed Gladesville Ryde Magic, meanwhile, conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 at home to Hawkesbury City FC last week but will hope the fight they have shown in the past few weeks can inspire them to another victory.
Having not scored against Parramatta in any of their previous three head-to-head meetings, the Magic will hope to break that streak to not bring it into the next season.
A win for the Magic could see them rise one spot into 9th on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop one spot to 11th.
With Parramatta hoping to return to form and Gladesville looking for another positive result, both sides will hope to put on a good show in their pursuit of the win.
Hawkesbury City FC vs Camden Tigers FC, 5pm at David Bertenshaw Field
Previous meeting: Camden Tigers FC 1-3 Hawkesbury City FC
Hawkesbury City FC will hope to win their first match in three as they look to keep up in the race for promotion when they host a Camden Tigers FC side hoping to cause an upset in this clash between old friends.
In the reverse fixture, Hawkesbury picked up a 3-1 away win; they will hope to complete the league double, while Camden will hope to win away at Hawkesbury just as they did in the 2024 season.
4th-placed Hawkesbury City FC scored an 89th minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw away to Gladesville Ryde Magic last week and will hope to use that same fight to claw their way back at the sides above them in the race for promotion.
Vincent Dermilio and Harry Drew both scored against Camden in the reverse fixture and will hope to add to their respective 16 goals each this season as the joint-second highest goal scorers in the league in 2025.
A win for Hawkesbury could see them rise one spot into 3rd on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop to as low as 6th.
Last-placed Camden Tigers, meanwhile, snapped a four-match losing streak last week following their 2-2 home draw with Dunbar Rovers FC and will hope to continue to build as they look to cause an upset.
With the Tigers defence improving and the young players in the squad gaining valuable minutes, Camden will hope to continue to show their progress this week against their old friend in Hawkesbury.
A win for Camden would see them close the gap to Sydney University SFC above them to one point, while a loss could see them stay in last place by four points.
With the battle for 2nd so tight, Hawkesbury will hope to take a big step towards it with a win over Camden, while the Tigers will hope to cause an upset to shake up the promotion race.
South Coast Flame FC vs Hurstville Zagreb FC, 5:15pm at Sir Ian McLennan Oval
Previous meeting: Hurstville Zagreb FC 4-0 South Coast Flame FC
A big 3rd vs 1st clash sees South Coast Flame look to take out a statement win in their battle for promotion against the league-leading Hurstville Zagreb FC, who will hope to move one step closer to securing the league title and promotion.
In the reverse fixture, Hurstville picked up a 4-0 home win over the Flame; they will hope to complete the league double, while the Flame will hope to win at home over Hurstville just as they did in 2023.
3rd-placed South Coast Flame FC picked up a big comeback 6-3 away win over Inner West Hawks FC last week and will hope that result will launch them into the rest of their season positively.
The league’s top goal scorer, Jyden Harb, scored a hat-trick last week to bring his tally to 25 goals for the season, nine goals ahead of Hawkesbury’s Harry Drew and Vincent Dermilio, and will hope to continue to lead the line for the Flame against the league leaders.
A win for the Flame could see them rise into the all-important 2nd spot on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop one spot to 4th.
League-leading Hurstville Zagreb FC, meanwhile, picked up their third-straight clean sheet following their 3-0 home win over Parramatta FC last week and will hope to move within touching distance of the league title and promotion this week.
Hurstville have kept six clean sheets from their past seven matches, with only 14 goals conceded across the whole season so far but will have to defend well to keep out the league’s highest-scoring side in the Flame, who have 63 goals for the season so far.
A win for Hurstville could see them potentially move to within one win of their goal of the league title and promotion, while a loss would see that delayed.
Hurstville also have a Round 22 catch-up match on Wednesday, 16th July away to Fraser Park FC at Fraser Park at 7:30pm.
With South Coast Flame looking to pick up their biggest win of the season as they hunt crucial points in the battle for promotion and Hurstville looking to take another stride forward in their bid to win the league and secure promotion, this clash promises to provide plenty of talking points and big moments.
Dunbar Rovers FC vs Bankstown United FC, 7pm at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Previous meeting: Bankstown United FC 2-2 Dunbar Rovers FC
Dunbar Rovers FC will hope to snap their three-match winless streak when they host promotion-chasing Bankstown United FC.
In the reverse fixture, a late goal for Dunbar saw them rescue a 2-2 away draw to Bankstown; they will hope to continue to show fight this season, while Bankstown will hope to get the job done as they hunt down the sides above them.
8th-placed Dunbar Rovers FC scored a late stoppage time equaliser to earn a 2-2 away draw to Camden Tigers FC last week and will hope to show that fight once again when they host Bankstown.
Having not won any of their past three matches, Dunbar will hope to return to form and shake up the race for promotion at the same time.
A win for Dunbar could see them rise into the top half of the ladder to 7th, while a loss would keep them in 8th.
5th-placed Bankstown United FC, meanwhile, won a fourth-straight matches and went six matches unbeaten after their 1-0 home win over Fraser Park FC last week and will hope to continue to fire in their pursuit of 2nd.
Having kept two clean sheets from their past four matches and won each of their past three matches by a one-goal margin, Bankstown have fought hard for their wins and will hope to bring that same mindset to this match.
A win for Bankstown could see them rise one spot into 4th on the ladder, while a loss could see them drop one spot to 6th.
With Dunbar looking to grab a positive result and Bankstown hoping to make a late charge for 2nd spot, both sides will hope to fight hard for the three points in this match.
Prospect United SC vs Nepean FC, 7pm at Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub
Previous meeting: Nepean FC 1-1 Prospect United SC
A western Sydney derby with big implications sees Prospect United SC looking to maintain their position in 2nd in the race for promotion against their local rivals in Nepean FC.
In the reverse fixture, Round Nine’s Match of the Round, Nepean came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Prospect; both teams will hope to fight just as hard this time around.
2nd-placed Prospect United SC took another big step in their fight for a 2nd-placed finish this season after their 3-0 away win over Central Coast United FC last week and will hope to maintain that spot when Nepean visits.
Having kept a clean sheet in each of their past four wins, with two of those being at home and the other two being away, Prospect will hope to continue to show their defensive resilience.
A win for Prospect could see them extend their lead over 3rd to as much as five points, while a loss could see them drop down to 3rd on the ladder.
11th-placed Nepean FC, meanwhile, lost back-to-back matches following their 4-0 away defeat to Sydney University last week but will hope to bounce back in this western Sydney derby.
Nepean will hope to take the fight to Prospect and hit them on the counter, playing away from home to a side which has defended well this season.
A win for Nepean could see them rise two spots into 9th on the ladder, while a loss would see them stay in 11th.
With Prospect hoping to continue to be the leader in the fight for 2nd and Nepean looking to grab derby bragging rights to shake up the promotion race, both sides will look to fire up for this clash.
14th-placed Sydney University SFC have a bye in Round 24.
By Football NSW League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa
