Another stacked weekend awaits us in FNSW League One Men’s R17 action with plenty to intrigue us as we enter the final month of the season.
Or put another way, we’ve rounded the final corner and entered the final straight. Which teams are going to finish strong and which ones are going to be checking the rear-view mirrors? Let’s take a look as we prepare for the final six rounds of this thrilling season.
Our Pick: Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Central Coast Mariners FC; Saturday 2 July, 7pm, Wanderers Football Park
First v third on the table, leagues best attack against one of the league’s best defenses. There’s plenty of reason to look forward to this clash between the two A-league academies Saturday night.
The streak lives! Though they were made to work to keep it going. In round sixteen action Western Sydney Wanderers took a point away from North Turramurra courtesy of a goal to Aidan Simmons in his first appearance from the club.
The main talking point we have related to them though is the turnover in the squad. Jordi Swibel, Jesper Webber, Isaac Hovar and others have left the club for new pastures, taking quite a few goals with them. Mind you let’s be honest, anyone would probably take the likes of Alex Badolato, Connor Rose, Zac Sapsford and Aiden Mostofi in their side. This stands as their last fixture against a top five side this season prior to the finals and another win holds them in good stead for the remaining five games.
Western Sydney Wanderers run home: CCM (H), BWE (A), HAK (H), SD (H), STG (A), BS (A).
Is first place a curse this year? Like Northern Tigers before them, the Central Coast Mariners have hit stormy waters after holding first position on the table. After going down to NWS Spirit the weekend before, the Mariners were once again left frustrated by Hakoah FC this past weekend.
And the main talking point from those two games was the lack of fluidity in attack with their main chances coming from the set piece, including the one that led to Brad Tapp’s goal. Still though, they have proven to be defensively sound in those two games, so it’s not panic stations yet for Andrew Christiansen’s side with a win here potentially putting them back on top of the standings. They prevailed over Western Sydney Wanderers 4-3 back in round six.
Central Coast Mariners run home: WSW (A), BS (H), NT (A), HU (H), SD (A), STG (H).
A match that promises so much, be sure to join Eric Subijano for the call this Saturday night.
SD Raiders FC v Northern Tigers FC; Saturday 2 July 7pm, Valentine Sports Park
Fresh off a convincing victory, SD Raiders take on Northern Tigers at Valentine Sports Park.
Despite not being in finals contention, SD Raiders are a side who is going to have a big say in the race for promotion. Facing four of the top five in the remaining weeks, they come into this testing period off the back of a confidence building win over Mounties Wanderers.
Five different goal scorers found the net in that one either side of half time in a season high goal tally. Further proof that they can certainly pull a performance out of the bag to test any side of the division, just doing it consistently has been the problem. Look out for Noah Chianese who continues to build fitness and Brohym Massih who has emerged in the first team in recent weeks.
SD Raiders run home: NT (H), STGC (H), BWE (H), WSW (A), CCM (H), HAK (A).
They face a Northern Tigers outfit who will be desperate for a win after two score draws in recent weeks. Once occupying first place, the Tigers have won only two of their past six which leaves them four points behind the top four with six games remaining.
Last weekend, they hosted league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers at North Turramurra. Leading on the score line for the second consecutive weekend, they once again had victory taken from them. Though they did have late chances to take the points, but it just was not their night. They will take confidence from two wins earlier in the season against this opponent in both cup and league.
Northern Tigers run home: SD (A), NWS (H), CCM (H), HAK (A), MW (H), BWE (A).
Blacktown Spartans FC v St George City; Saturday 2 July, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
In the second game in the Rooty Hill complex, St George City make the trip west to face Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park.
You could sense the relief in the Blacktown Spartans as they secured their first win in a month last weekend. After two scoreless draws in their past three games leading in, the Spartans scored a season high four goals against Hills United.
Leading the way in that victory was Emmanuel Gonzalez, Gonzalez securing the 7th hat trick of this League One season in a brilliant individual performance. Gonzalez now sitting second in the golden boot race. Having lost their previous two meetings against this weekend’s opposition, you can be sure that Andy Montgomery and his side will be eyeing revenge on City this weekend.
Blacktown Spartans run home: STGC (H), CCM (A), MW (H), BWE (A), HAK (H), WSW (H)
That coveted top four position is looking all the more closer for St George City as the weeks go by. With three wins in their past four league games including two straight victories, the ship has been steadied after losses to Wollongong United and Western Sydney Wanderers a few weeks ago.
Last weekend, they saved one of their more convincing performances of the season for their local neighbors, with the three-goal margin being their largest of the season. In an attacking third full of talent, it was Nathan Roberts who put in a man of the match performance looking dangerous every time he had the ball. With a month away from home on the horizon, they’ll want to keep the momentum going here.
St George City run home: BS (A), SD (A), NWS (A), MW (A), BWE (H), HU (H)
NWS Spirit FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 2 July, 7:30pm, Christie Park
After giving themselves some breathing room in fourth position, NWS Spirit return to the Arctic Circle as Hakoah FC come to visit.
Firstly, lets congratulate David Perkovic and his NWS Spirit who qualified for the Waratah Cup Final with a victory over Wollongong United. That win stretched their unbeaten run to fourteen in both league and cup, a truly outstanding run.
Now back to league matters, the Spirit stand four points clear of fifth position with a big game against Northern Tigers next weekend. Recent weeks have also seen the emergence of Musashi Kokubo as a threat getting a vital equalizer against Bonnyrigg before backing it up with a backheel finish in the cup midweek. It’s been a grueling few weeks for David Perkovic’s side but they have proven they have the character to take the challenge head on.
NWS Spirit run home: HAK (H), NT (A), STGC (H), STG (A), HU (A), MW (H)
It was a case of so close yet so far for Hakoah FC last weekend as they took a point against Central Coast Mariners last weekend. It’s a point which leaves Luka Hrzina’s team sitting seven points outside the five with six rounds to go in the regular season.
It’s not an impossible task given they play three of the top five in the next four weeks, but to achieve it this one really becomes must win. On the field, Yianni Spyrakis and Dominic Cox continue to lead this side around in central midfield while also contributing on the goal front, Cox picking up his third of the season last weekend. A lot is on the line for the Eastern Suburbs team as they travel North-West, Can they deliver here?
Hakoah FC: NWS (A), HU (H), WSW (A), NT (H), BS (A), SD (H)
St George FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Saturday 2 July, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
With one eye on a cup tie next week, Bonnyrigg White Eagles make the trip to Sydney’s South to face St George FC.
After a four-game unbeaten run, momentum came to a halt for St George FC last weekend in the local derby. However, Mark Milligan and his side will be keen to finish the season on a high as they continue to build towards 2023.
But we kind of have to touch on last weekend before looking ahead. The positives in the performance you ask? Cam Philpot continued his scoring run and the introduction of Gian Fiorese to the starting side. The negatives? Well, they conceded four against their local rivals. They will be fighting against the history books though having won just once against their visitors in 7 competitive meetings.
St George FC run home: BWE (H), MW (A), HU (A), NWS (H), WSW (H), CCM (A)
They face a Bonnyrigg White Eagles side who will either be distracted by the prospect of a cup tie four days after this one or will be keen to generate some momentum before that clash. In what was a tumultuous last week, the Eagles winless streak blew out to four.
However, there were some positive sides for Bonnyrigg who were only denied a well-earned point by a late winner for the Spirit. Now it’s time for this side to reclaim its touch at the other end having only scored one goal in their past four matches, something you wouldn’t expect from a side with the likes of Aaron Peterson, Asmir Kadric and Marie Gauthier in its midst.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles run home: STG (A), SU (N, Cup), WSW (H), SD (A), BS (H), STGC (A), NT (H)
Hills United FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 2 July, 7pm, Blacktown City Sports Centre
Hills United return home to the scene of their last victory as a Mounties Wanderers shaped challenge awaits them.
It will be a welcome return for hosts Hills United who have not scored a point on the road all season in eight attempts. Last weekend going down to Blacktown Spartans in a high scoring affair at Blacktown Football Park.
Wade Giovenali shapes up as their main threat in this one having scored twice last weekend against the Spartans. Along with Matias Toro Suazo, they will look to continue their scoring run while captain Daine Merrin will provide leadership as he returns from injury.
Hills United’s run home: MW (H), HAK (A), STG (H), CCM (A), NWS (H), STGC (A)
Only scoring two goals in their past 840 minutes of football, Mounties Wanderers must be wondering if they triggered some bad omen somewhere. Yeah, it’s been a tough run for Mounties who will be desperate for a goal and three points here.
To counter this problem, Mounties Wanderers coach Jerry Bilokapic has brought in some attacking reinforcements for the last seven games of the season. Paul Apostolopoulos made the jump across from Blacktown Spartans, Anthony Proia from SD Raiders while Michael Martinovic started against SD Raiders in left back. A goal will come soon… Surely?
Mounties Wanderers run home: HU (A), STG (H), BS (A), STGC (H), NT (A), NWS (A)
By League One Men’s writer Justin Smith
