A washout last round against Hawkesbury City sees the Flame go into the Round 4 clash with Nepean FC on Saturday night at Ian McLennan Park with just a single point so this game has some added significance for the home side.

Nepean have had a positive start to the season defeating Hawkesbury City 1-0 courtesy of a Ben Welch goal on the opening day of the season.

The side then had a 2-2 draw in Round 2 with UNSW where Welch was again on the scoresheet – on this occasion scoring a brace.

This form suggests Welch will likely be the dangerman for the visitors given he is currently leading the goalscoring charts in the NPL 4 NSW Men’s competition. He will no doubt be looking for service from Mathew Crossley and Rory Mcgeown.

Nepean went down 1-0 to Marayong Football Club midweek in Round 3 of the FFA Cup which possibly leaves them with a bit of a sour taste heading into this weekend.

The Flame don’t have a good record against Nepean with just a draw back in 2019 the only time they have picked up points against the Mountain Men.

They will be hoping for a change of luck as they seek to atone for last season’s meeting at Ian McLennan Park with Nepean as the side went down 4-1.

Crossley got a double for the visitors that day and he will be looking to open his account this season.

As for the Flame, they picked up their first competitive win of the season with a last-minute winner in a Round 3 FFA Cup tie when they travelled to UNSW on Wednesday night.

Flame went behind early on but an equaliser early in the second half from Gerard Bruscino and a very late winner from Justin Smith secured Flame’s place in Round 4 of the competition.

They will no doubt be looking to take some confidence from that game into the weekend.

The under-20s have had a tough start to the season however there have been some encouraging signs since their round one thumping at the hands of the incredibly efficient Jets.

Michael Panozzo will be looking to build on that this week as the predominantly new side is still trying to find some rhythm.

The Flame may just fancy their chances against a Nepean side that picked up their first win of the season in Round 2 with a 3-2 win over UNSW.

MATCH DETAILS

South Coast Flame v Nepean FC @ Ian McLennan Park

Saturday 27 March – Kick off 4.30pm and 6.30pm respectively.

The Women’s team kick off their season in the Football South Coast Women’s Division 1 competition this Sunday.

The ladies had a strong showing in the Bonnie Lassie picking up some very encouraging results.

Flame will no doubt be one of (if not) the youngest of all teams in the competition, however, this will not deter them.

Daniel Naumovski has the team playing with great confidence and whilst there is a long season ahead, there is no doubt they will get better as the season wears on.

They face Fernhill in what shapes as a historic moment on the club’s short history with the team competing in the local competition for the first time.

It may be short-lived as FNSW has provided an opportunity for the ladies to compete in NPL2 from next year as part of a recent competition restructure announcement.

Fernhill by contrast had a season they perhaps want to forget having just picked up one win last season.

The foxes will be looking to spoil Flame’s debut in the new competition.

MATCH DETAILS

South Coast Flame v Fernhill @ Ian McLennan Park

Sunday 28 March – Kick off 5.00pm