As we go into round 4 of the competition this weekend, we are starting to see a lot of movement from the top of the table and the bottom of the table.
Our round 4 Match of the Round sees both undefeated Padstow Hornets and Panania Diggers on Friday night at Padstow Park.
Elsewhere, Georges River Thistle will play Bass Hill Rangers who continue to search for their first points, while Greenacre Eagles look to prove a point against Yagoona Lions who are undefeated to start the season.
Padstow United will play their first game at Playford Park for 2023 against Revesby Workers, while Bankstown Sports Strikers take on Central Sydney Wolves at Padstow Park.
Friday 24th of March 2023
Match of the Round: Padstow Hornets vs Panania Diggers, 8:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Panania Diggers 0-6 Padstow Hornets – Round 22, 2022
Padstow Hornets will play against Panania Diggers at Padstow Park which will be a top of the table clash as Panania Diggers sit in 1st position and Padstow Hornets sit in 3rd.
The last time these two sides met was in round 22 of last year’s competition where Padstow Hornets were able to dominate the fixture and come away with a 6-0 victory.
In last year’s round 22 fixture, both Michael Cklamovski and Neil Philippou scored braces. With Cklamovski having scored 5 goals in his last 2 games he will be looking a threat in this match up. Neil Philippou has not scored in the 2023 competition, however with his goal scoring form against Panania Diggers in previous fixtures, he will be looking to score in this round. Both players will definitely look to be dangers in front of goal.
Padstow Hornet’s defence has also proved to be very strong to start off the year having kept a clean sheet in round 3 against Bass Hill Rangers. Padstow Hornet’s had the best defence in the 2022 season conceding 16 goals in 20 matches. They will need to be structured and focused defensively to keep out a strong attacking team like Panania Diggers.
Panania Diggers have proved to be one of the title contenders for the 2023 season with three straight victories to start the season.
However, round 3 will be there toughest challenge so far facing the 2022 champions who are undefeated in 2023 and sit only 2-points behind them on the ladder.
Panania were relentless in their 5-1 victory over Revesby Workers in round 3 having scored 5 goals in the first half. However, Panania will need to be more clinical Infront of goal as they were unable to convert a lot of their chances.
Panania attackers Nicholas Vertsonis and Joshua Adams have been prolific with both having scored 4 goals in their opening 3 matches. They will look to be Panania’s danger men up top in round 4.
With both sides looking stay towards the top of the table in the opening rounds, you can expect this match-up at Padstow Park to be a blockbuster.
Saturday 25th of March 2023
Georges River Thistle vs Bass Hill Rangers, 3pm @ Coleman Park
Previous Meeting: Bass Hill Rangers 2-3 Georges River Thistle – Round 9, 2021
Georges River Thistle play at home once again as they take on Bass Hill Rangers on a mission to get their first points of the season.
The last time these two sides met was in round 9 of 2021 as Georges River Thistle won the match 3-2 in a year that Bass Hill Rangers struggled for points.
Georges River Thistle proved in round 3 after defeating Central Sydney Wolves 2-0 in a game where they were able to score 2 goals in the opening 25 minutes and then focus defensively to hold out the Wolves relentless waves of attack.
After a tough start to the season playing losing to two strong opposition in Panania Diggers and Padstow Hornets, a lot of people would have counted out the Thistle this season.
However, Georges River Thistle have proved they are a strong team in 2023 and will take a lot of momentum into this round 4 fixture.
Bass Hill have also had a difficult start to their season having played three 2022 finalists in their opening three fixtures.
Bass Hill have been unable to claim points this season and they will be coming into round 4 determined to put points on the board.
The rangers have only scored 2 goal so far this season and will need to create more chances in their attacking half if they are to get an important win over the Thistle in round 4.
With two teams looking for a much-needed win in round 4, we will definitely see both these sides look to come out firing.
Greenacre Eagles vs Yagoona Lions, 4pm @ Allum Park
Previous Meeting: Greenacre Eagles 0-2 Yagoona Lions – Finals Series 2022
Greenacre Eagles will host Yagoona Lions in round 4 with Yagoona Lions eager to continue their winning streak to start the season.
The last time these two sides met was in the first week of the 2022 Finals series where Yagoona were able to knock out Greenacre to progress to the second week of the finals series.
With this previous result in mind, Greenacre will be eager to win this match to end Yagoona’s winning streak and get revenge for last season.
Greenacre have not had the greatest start to their 2023 season having lost to Panania Diggers in round 2 after dominating for most of the game and creating great attacking chances which they were unable to convert.
Greenacre were also knocked out of Australia Cup on Tuesday night after a 2-1 loss to Phoenix FC.
With results not going Greenacre’s way, one thing is for certain, they will be looking to make amends for a poor start to 2023 with a win in round 4 over Yagoona Lions.
On the other hand, Yagoona Lions have started their season off in fantastic fashion.
Yagoona lions have been firing in front of goal with 11 goals scored in their first three games. With Jamie Bazevski scoring 6 of their 11 goals, they will be looking to him to continue to find the back of the net.
Although Yagoona Lions attack has been very strong, they will need to improve their defence as they have struggled to hold sides out and have conceded 7 gaols in their opening three matches.
With both sides eager to win for different reasons, you can expect a very attacking minded game that will go down to the wire.
Padstow United vs Revesby Workers, 4pm @ Playford Park
Previous Meeting: Padstow United 2-1 Revesby Workers – Round 20, 2022
Padstow United will play at their home ground for the first time this season as they take on Revesby Workers who will be determined to get their first points for the season.
Padstow United defeated Revesby Workers 2-1 in their last game of the 2022 competition season in a game which ultimately confirmed Revesby Workers would miss out on a finals spot in 2022.
Padstow United have not had their dream start to 2023 as they have only picked up 2 points in the opening 3 games and have not been able to claim victory in any of their matches.
Padstow United have struggled to hold a lead after scoring first in their opening 3 matches and they would look to be more disciplined in defense after scoring if they are to pick up a valuable 3-points in round 4.
Revesby Workers have had a tough start to the season playing three of the top four teams on the competition table.
Revesby have struggled defence conceding 17 goals in their opening three fixtures and it will not look any easier in round 4 as Padstow United are known for their quality in attack.
However, Revesby Workers will be eager to get the three points this weekend and will need a lot of focus and determination to get over a strong outfit in Padstow United.
With both sides looking for their first win of the season, expect both sides to come into this match willing to fight to the end to get a must need win to turned their poor starts to the season around.
Bankstown Sports Strikers vs Central Sydney Wolves, 8:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Bankstown Sports Strikers 16-1 Central Sydney Wolves – Round 16, 2022
Bankstown Sports Strikers will take on Central Sydney Wolves at Padstow Park as the final match of the round.
The last time these sides met was in round 16 of 2022 when Bankstown Sports Strikers completely destroyed Central Sydney Wolves, a scoreline the Wolves will be looking to make up for in 2023.
Bankstown Sports Strikers started strong in their opening two rounds of the season as they were firing in attack and strong in defence.
Central Sydney Wolves will need to keep a close eye on Strikers number 9, Robson De Souza who has looked to be in good form to start his season as he scored 5 goals against Revesby Workers in round 2.
The strikers unfortunately lost their Australia cup game on Tuesday Night against Avoca F.C. and will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Central Sydney Wolves have looked much stronger in their 2023 season, however, have still been unable to find a win in their opening two matches.
Central Sydney Wolves captain, Saed Al-Zebdeh, will be very determined to lead his side to a victory as he plays his former side Bankstown Sports Strikers.
With the added incentive of making amends for their previous defeat against Bankstown Sports Strikers in 2022, the Wolves will certainly be ready for this challenge.
With two team hungry for a win this weekend, we are certain our final game of round 4 will not disappoint.
