The Bankstown Umbro Men’s Premier League competition started off with a bang last week and Round two promises to be just as exciting.
The match of the round this week sees Premier League new boys Bass Hill Rangers take on strong starting Yagoona Lions at Padstow Park, which will be Bankstown Premier Leagues first Friday night game at it’s new Home of Football.
Meanwhile, Georges River Thistle will look to bounce back from their round 1 defeat as they host Padstow Hornets who are looking for their first win of the season, while strong starting Bankstown Sports Strikers will hope to get back-to-back wins to start the season as they take on Revesby Workers in round 2.
Panania Diggers will also be looking to continue positive start to the season as Greenacre will play them in their first game of the season, Central Sydney Wolves will be looking to start their season strong and right the wrongs from last season as they play at home to Padstow United in round 2.
Friday 10th March 2023
Match of the Round: Yagoona Lions vs Bass Hill Rangers, 8:30pm @ Padstow Park Synthetic
Previous Meeting: Yagoona Lions 3-2 Bass Hill Rangers – Round 5, 2021
Yagoona Lions will take on Bass Hill Rangers which will see our first ever Friday Night game at Bankstown’s new Home of Football, Padstow Park Synthetic.
Yagoona Lions will look to continue their strong start to the season after a 3-2 victory to Revesby Workers last week.
Yagoona Lions showed their fantastic attacking strike last week scoring three goals in their opening fixture. New signing Jamie Bazevski, opened his account for the season with two goals in round 1 and Yagoona Lions will be looking to him again in round 2.
However, Yagoona would have been disappointed with their team leaking goals last week and will hope for a more composed performance this round.
Bass Hill did not have their dream start to their season with a disappointing 3-0 loss in round 1 to Bankstown Sports Strikers.
To make matter worse, they will be without their number 6, Diego Herrera, as he was shown a straight red card in round 1.
However, Bass Hill showed a lot of promise in the first round taking on one of the heavyweights of the competition and they will be looking to take that same determination and effort into round 2.
Yagoona Lions took home the three points in their previous meeting in round 5 of 2021 so Bass Hill will know how much effort is needed for this victory.
Georges River Thistle vs Padstow Hornets, 8:30pm @ Coleman Park
Previous Meeting: Padstow Hornets 4-0 Georges River Thistle – Round 12, 2022
Georges River Thistle will play their second match in a row at Coleman Park, this time with Padstow Hornets visiting, who claimed victory in this fixture last season.
Georges River Thistle will be looking for more intensity throughout the full 90 minutes this week after a 3-1 defeat to Panania Diggers after conceding 3 straight goals late into the second half.
Although they may have lost last week, Georges River Thistle will take good momentum into this week after a positive first 70 minutes in the game against Panania Diggers.
Georges River Thistle will also be needing a positive impact from their bench this week due to few tired legs after their Australia cup match on Tuesday Night.
Padstow Hornets did not start their season how they would have liked as they had split the points with Padstow United in a 1-1 draw.
The Hornets are known for their strong attack as they averaged 4.8 goals per game last season, and they will be looking to their strong attacking duo of Neil Philippou and Mike Cklamovski this week as they lacked composure in front of goal in round 1.
After losing both of their games in 2022 to Padstow Hornets, Georges River Thistle will understand how difficult it is to pick up the points against the 2022 champions.
Saturday 11th March 2023
Bankstown Sports Strikers vs Revesby Workers, 3pm @ Padstow Park Synthetic
Previous Meeting: Bankstown Sports Strikers 1-0 Revesby Workers – Round 18, 2022
Bankstown Sports Strikers and Revesby Workers looks to be another big clash this weekend as we see our second match of the round played on Padstow Park Synthetic.
Bankstown Sports Strikers will be looking to build on last week’s 3-0 win to Bass Hill Rangers where there dominance in possession was crucial in their victory.
They proved in round 1 that they are going to be one of the teams to beat in the competition again this year with their composure in front of goal and their strong defence.
With their confidence high and finishing clinical, they will be looking to continue their start to the season with a win over Revesby Workers.
The Workers just fell short against Yagoona Lions in a 3-2 defeat at Middleton Park and will be looking to get their first point on the board this week.
They would have been disappointed with their start to the first and second half in round 1 as they conceded first in both halves and they will be looking to be more focused in the match this week.
Although last week was not the result they would have been looking for, they take many positives from round 1 as they looked dangerous in attack and were able to finish their chances.
With both sides showing promises in the opening round, Strikers with the want to win back-to-back and Revesby Workers hoping for their first points, look for this to be an entertaining match.
Central Sydney Wolves vs Padstow United, 3pm @ Lockwood Park
Previous Meeting: Padstow United 6-0 Central Sydney Wolves, Round 18 2022
Central Sydney Wolves play their first game of the season against Padstow United after Padstow United took out a 6-0 victory in round 18 of 2022 – meaning this fixture has a fresh new start.
Central Sydney Wolves will play their first match of the season after their round 1 fixture against Greenacre Eagles was postponed, meaning they could be the surprise package this week.
Bill Karafotias returns as the head coach of their BUPL squad, and he will be looking to get his squad firing in 2023.
As this year is a rebuild year for Central Sydney Wolves after last years woes, they will be looking for a solid 3 points to start their season.
Padstow United looked like a side with a point to prove in round 1 as they were able to pick up a draw with the 2022 champions Padstow Hornets.
They showed their strengths up front in round 1 as striker Rafa Coutinho was able to get on the score sheet and current BUPL player of the year, John Martinez looked strong upfront.
Padstow United will be looking for nothing less than three points this week as they looked to build upon promising signs against a historically strong opposition.
Anything could happen in this match with all the unknowns, making it an exciting prospect.
Panania Diggers vs Greenacre Eagles, 7pm @ Padstow Park Synthetic
Previous meeting: Panania Diggers 2-2 Greenacre Eagles, Round 2 2022
Panania Diggers and Greenacre Eagles took a point each in their second matchup last season as both sides will be looking for a tough three points this weekend.
Panania Diggers will be looking to continue their strong start to the season after a 3-1 victory over Georges River Thistle in round 1.
Panania will be looking for a stronger start in this fixture after scoring 3 late goals in round 1 to seal the victory.
However, they looked in good shape against Georges River Thistle and were able control the match through their midfield, and they will be looking for the same this weekend in the middle of the park.
Greenacre eagles will play their first match of the season after their round 1 fixture against Central Sydney Wolves was postponed, hoping to keep their momentum after some good form in pre-season.
Greenacre will be looking to their key players from their all-conquering all age men’s team to help their side start the season with three points.
This promises to be an exciting match up, with plenty of action in attack and defence as it will be our third and final fixture played out of Padstow Park in round 2.
