Round 3 Preview – League Two Men’s
With the 2026 Football NSW League Two Men’s season into Round 3, every team will hope to have taken on learnings from their first few matches, with early form teams appearing.
Four teams went two-for-two after Round Two, one more remains undefeated and six others will hope to grab their first win.
The Match of the Round this week sees both Parramatta FC and Sydney University SFC look to get off the mark with their first points of the season.
Saturday, 21st February 2026
Match of the Round: Parramatta FC vs Sydney University SFC, 5pm at Melita Stadium
Last season: Parramatta FC 3-0 Sydney University SFC, Sydney University SFC 3-1 Parramatta FC
A battle between two sides chasing their first win of the season sees Parramatta FC and Sydney University SFC do battle at Melita Stadium.
Last season, Parramatta continued their domination with a fifth-straight head-to-head win over the students with a 3-0 home success, before University snapped that streak with a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture.
Parramatta suffered a 3-2 loss in their opening match of the season against Dunbar Rovers in a match where they led and scored late to try and complete the comeback.
They will hope to play with composure and put in a full 90-minute performance against University to get back to their strong head-to-head form against them.
Expect Parramatta to want to not let their opening match set the tone for the season as they look to record a strong comeback at home for the first time this season.
University, meanwhile, lost back-to-back matches to start the season after their tight 1-0 home loss to South Coast Flame FC but will hope to respond in their first away match of the season.
The students will be confident following their display last week despite the loss and will look to create plenty of chances, as well as defend stoutly away from home.
Expect a similar display from University as they look to record back-to-back head-to-head wins over Parramatta for the first time in this competition.
With Parramatta and Sydney University both looking to get off the mark for the season, expect both sides to give their all in the pursuit of three points.
Friday, 20th February 2026
Nepean FC vs Bankstown United FC, 8pm at Jamison Park
Last season: Bankstown United FC 2-1 Nepean FC, Nepean FC 1-1 Bankstown United FC
Nepean FC and Bankstown United FC will both hope to grab a big win early in the season when they face off in Penrith.
Last season, Bankstown won their first match against Nepean in the competition, before the reverse fixture ended level.
Nepean recorded back-to-back wins to start the season after their comeback 2-1 away win over Inner West Hawks FC and will hope to make it three-straight in their first home match of the year.
Having won in different circumstances already this season, Nepean will hope to continue to build their confidence with a strong home showing.
Expect Nepean to start strong at home as they look to maintain their positive start to the season.
Bankstown, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 loss to Fraser Park FC in the Round 2 Match of the Round and will hope to bounce back away from home.
With both Mitchell Cross and Huss Kamberovic suffering injuries last week, Bankstown will need to reshuffle to find a new attacking edge.
Expect Bankstown to play with caution, knowing the challenge which lies ahead of them against Nepean.
With Nepean looking to get a strong win at home and Bankstown looking to fight despite adversity, expect both sides to put in a strong performance.
Saturday, 21st February 2026
Central Coast United FC vs Mounties Wanderers FC, 5pm at Pluim Park
These two teams did not meet last season.
Two sides who have shown plenty of positives to start the season in Central Coast United FC and Mounties Wanderers FC meet on the coast.
These teams last faced each other in the 2024 League Two Men’s season, where Mounties recorded a 3-0 home win before Central Coast won 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
Central Coast United came from behind for a second-straight week to start the season, this time to earn a 1-1 home draw with Camden Tigers, and will hope to continue to show that fight against Mounties.
Matthew Hatch has scored in back-to-back matches to start the season and will hope to continue his form in this match.
Expect Central Coast to continue to show their fight as they look to take down one of the early competition heavyweights.
Mounties, meanwhile, continued their strong start to the season with a 3-0 home win over their fellow former League One opponent in Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC last week.
Both Luke Raso and Garang Awac have scored in consecutive matches to start the season and Mounties will hope their attacking players continue to fire, with their defence also conceding just one goal from those two matches.
Expect Mounties to continue to stick to their game plan as they look to set a platform for themselves against a Central Coast side showing their own promise.
With Central Coast and Mounties both looking to establish themselves early in the season, this clash between two sides looking to remain undefeated will be one to watch.
South Coast Flame FC vs Dunbar Rovers FC, 5pm at Sir Ian McLennan Oval
Last season: South Coast Flame FC 2-2 Dunbar Rovers FC, Dunbar Rovers FC 2-2 South Coast Flame FC
Both South Coast Flame FC and Dunbar Rovers FC will hope to build on their respective first wins of the season when they meet in this clash.
Last season, both the home and away fixtures between these two sides ended in a 2-2 draw, showing how tight the contest is between the two teams.
South Coast held on for a tight 1-0 away win over Sydney University SFC last week and will hope to build on that at home.
Having been in tight matches to start the season, the Flame will hope to flex their attacking power while keeping their solidity in defence against Dunbar.
Expect the Flame to put in another tight performance as they hunt their first home win of the season.
Dunbar, meanwhile, came from behind and had a hat-trick hero to thank in their 3-2 comeback win over Parramatta FC last week.
They will hope to win their first away match of the season, utilising their strong play through the centre of the park and being clinical up front.
Expect Dunbar to continue to show fight as they look to put out the Flame away from home.
With South Coast and Dunbar both hoping to grab back-to-back wins, expect a strong showing from both sides.
Inner West Hawks FC vs Granville Rage, 5pm at Arlington Oval
Last season: Inner West Hawks FC 3-0 Granville Rage, Granville Rage 0-0 Inner West Hawks FC
Two teams hoping to get off the mark this season in Inner West Hawks FC and Granville Rage will meet in this Round 3 matchup.
Last season, the Hawks recorded their fifth-straight head-to-head win in a 3-0 success early in the season, before that winning streak ended in a 0-0 away draw; however, the Hawks are yet to lose to Granville in this competition.
Inner West suffered back-to-back defeats following their 2-1 home loss to Nepean FC last week but will hope to respond positively as they chase their first win of the season.
The Hawks will hope to work on what went against them last week, reinforcing the midfield and defence and making sure they take their chances up front when they are presented with them.
Expect the Hawks to put in a strong showing at home as they hunt the three points at home.
Granville, meanwhile, will hope to return from their bye last week refreshed and ready to make amends for their opening round loss.
The Rage will hope to take their chances against the Hawks and will hope this is the occassion they can grab their first win against the Hawks in this competition.
Expect the Rage to look to be more clinical up front as they look to grab their first win of the season.
With Inner West and Granville both looking to respond from tough losses, expect both sides to show their fight in this contest.
Camden Tigers FC vs Gladesville Ryde Magic, 7pm at Ron Dine Memorial Reserve – Carbiz Stadium
Last season: Camden Tigers FC 1-2 Gladesville Ryde Magic, Gladesville Ryde Magic 1-2 Camden Tigers FC
Camden Tigers FC and Gladesville Ryde Magic will both hope to pick up the three points in what is usually and unpredictable fixture.
Last season, both the respective away sides picked up 2-1 wins, while the two years preceding in this fixture, Camden did the league double after Gladesville had done so in 2024.
Camden surrendered the lead in their 1-1 away draw to Central Coast United FC last week and will hope to put their chances away against the Magic.
The Tigers will hope to be clinical in their finishing at home, the team also looking to maintain possession in matches.
Expect Camden to want to respond at home as they chase their first win of the season.
Gladesville, meanwhile, suffered a tight 1-0 home loss to Hawkesbury City FC last week and will hope to respond away from home.
The Magic will hope to emulate their result against Camden in the 2025 season, picking up an away win.
Expect Gladesville to play with the appropriate tempo on the grass pitch as they look to record back-to-back away wins.
With Camden and Gladesville looking to get momentum moving in the right direction at the start of the season, expect both sides to play to the conditions as they hunt the win.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles vs Fraser Park FC, 7pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
These two teams did not meet last season.
Two sides who have had contrasting starts to the season in Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC and Fraser Park FC meet in what is a big clash to end Round 3.
With no recent history to base this clash off, both sides will hope to have a fresh start and take the match to their respective opponent.
Bonnyrigg lost consecutive matches to start the season after their 3-0 away loss to Mounties Wanderers FC in Round 2 and will hope to put together a strong home performance as a response.
Having conceded four of their five goals this season in the 81st minute and beyond, Bonnyrigg will hope to maintain focus late in the match as they look to grab their first win of the season.
Expect Bonnyrigg to put together their learnings from the opening two rounds into this match as they look to get off the mark in this competition.
Fraser Park, meanwhile, have not trailed in either of their two matches so far this season and will hope to build off their back-to-back wins following their 2-1 home win over Bankstown United FC.
The Fraser Park defence will hope to hold strong against Bonnyrigg, while they will also hope to remain in the arm wrestle in this match and gain ascendancy.
Expect Fraser Park to want to prove themselves against the former League One side as they hunt a third-straight win to start the year.
With Bonnyrigg chasing their first win of the year and Fraser Park looking for a third-straight victory, expect both sides to want to start this match on the front foot in the pursuit of three points.
Hawkesbury City FC has a bye in Round 3.
By Football NSW League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa
