Round 5 Review – League One Men’s
There’s a reason we love the FNSW League One Men’s competition! Round Five was at its unpredictable best with some eyebrow-raising results across the grounds in an action-packed Saturday night.
In our match of the round, a newly inspired Bankstown City scored a convincing win over Inter Lions. Elsewhere, Dunbar Rovers secured a first victory of the season and Dulwich Hill shocked Northern Tigers. There’s a lot to catch up on so let’s get into the review.
Round Five Match of the Round: Inter Lions FC 1-4 Bankstown City FC
Bankstown City claimed an important first victory of the season over Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve in our match of the round.
New coach bounce? After a coaching change midweek, the visitors responded positively racing out to a four-goal lead courtesy of four different goal scorers with Inter Lions only managing a consolation late.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to open their account six minutes in. City working the ball down the right finding Jordan Morfitis whose pace proved too much of a handful for Daniel Georgievski before finding Jonathan Grozdanovski with a ball across, Grozdanovski finishing from six yards past the keeper.
Morfitis was looking a threat early on, which made the fact he had to come off before 20 minutes the more painful.
For Inter Lions, they were creating their fair share of chances, with Owen Duke having both an effort with his head and another with his feet in the opening 20, neither troubling the City goal.
But it was Giuseppe Tilio who had their best chance of the opening 25, a set-piece variation seeing Ellis Bellos with a menacing ball across the face. Tilio at the back post steering the ball just wide at the far post.
A miss that would prove costly with Bankstown City launching a counter straight after, the resulting Jair Fernandez goal-kick not dealt with beyond the hosts defence, Matthew Moric racing onto it before calmly finishing past the keeper to put them up 2-0.
For the most part though, Inter Lions were looking dangerous knocking on the door of the visitors goal, without creating a major chance.
That pattern continuing after the break as Inter tried to break the code of the Bankstown City defense.
However, the visitors were frustrating them and they had a three goal lead halfway through the second half, the experienced duo of Ante Tomic and Nikola Todoroski bringing their third, Tomic taking it into the area before Todoroski finished on the swivel.
A lead which was stretched to four five minutes later. James Mckenzie adding that one from the set piece. Tomic delivering from a corner before Mckenzie volleyed home. 4-0.
Inter Lions were to find a consolation with eight minutes of regulation left, Daniel Georgievski sliding through Oliver Green to finish off with his strike hitting the underside of the crossbar to being it back to 4-1.
That goal adding some intensity to the closing stages though no further goals were found. Inter Lions host SD Raiders next weekend, while Bankstown City host Hakoah FC in next weekends match of the round.
Inter Lions FC 1 (Oliver Green 83’)
Bankstown City FC (Jonathan Grozdanovski 6’, Matthew Moric 25’, Nikola Todoroski 67’, James Mckenzie 72’)
Hakoah FC 1 (Finley Hayhurst 33’ v St George FC 2 (Jay Mcgowan 6’ 17’)
St George FC secured back-to-back victories for the first time in 2023 overcoming Hakoah FC away from home at Hensley Athletic.
The visitors got of to the best start possible with a brace from Jay Mcgowan in the opening 20 minutes before they held on against a confident Hakoah side who found a goal before the breakthrough Samuel Young.
If you’ve ever been to Hensley, you will know how important it is to get a good start away from home and St George managed just that with two goals before a response came.
Jay Mcgowan scoring both after some well worked lead up play, with the goals coming in both the 6th and 17th minute.
However the momentum changed with a Finley Hayhurst goal after the half hour which lasted till the end of the game. But they just couldn’t capitalise in front of goal with the score remaining 2-1 at full time.
Hakoah next host Macarthur Rams midweek, while St George FC host Blacktown Spartans.
Blacktown Spartans FC 2 (Emmanuel Dolo 60’, Jovan Blagojevic 70’) v Central Coast United FC 1 (Geordie Howe 55’)
Strength to strength! Blacktown Spartans picked up their fourth victory of the season prevailing 2-1 over Central Coast United.
Leading the competition on 13 points from their five games, the Spartans scored two quick goals midway through the second half to give them the victory after Central Coast took the lead earlier in the half.
The first half could be split into two in terms of who was in control. Blacktown Spartans coming out the better of the two sides with a couple of good chances falling to Jovan Blagojevic and Emmanuel Dolo.
Before Central Coast capitalised on some mistakes in possession to gain the ascendency. The visitors taking a surprise lead with Geordie Howe opening the scoring ten minutes into the second half.
Needing a response, Blacktown Spartans coach Ben Rollison turned to his bench. A move which paid off with two quick goals. The first from Emmanuel Dolo who was played through the line in a swift passing move, Dolo showing composure to finish.
Before Jovan Blagojevic added a second shortly after, Blagojevic on the end of a Christian Nascimben cross for the second.
Blacktown Spartans visit Canterbury Bankstown next week whereas Central Coast United host Bankstown City.
SD Raiders FC 2 (Mihael Marcic 37’, Genki Kohyama 46’) v Macarthur Rams FC 1 (Anthony Proia 59’)
SD Raiders edged a tight tussle in Sydney’s South-West overcoming Macarthur Rams at Ernie Smith Reserve.
It’s a win which has come much to the relief of SD Raiders coach Goran Ljuboja. They started the game well which ensured they maintained the ascendency at home against a Macarthur Rams who have adapted to the league well.
Speaking of, the Rams struggled to get a hold of the game to play their game with it turning into a physical battle on occasion.
Starting well has been something the Raiders have been working on and they created a few good chances before taking the lead. A Sebastian Malfara cross causing havoc at the back for Mihael Marcic to play a role in getting the ball over the line.
Like the first half, the hosts started the better once again in the second. Cooper Hanagan on the overlap finding Genki Kohyama with a lovely cross, Kohyama scoring the back post header.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the hosts though with a few nervous moments late on courtesy of an Anthony Proia goal against his former side on the hour. However, the hosts held on in a tight tussle.
Macarthur Rams host Central Coast United next weekend while SD Raiders travel to Concord to face Inter Lions.
Dunbar Rovers FC 2 (Daisuke Yamaguchi 56’, Fox Bengtsson 84’) v Mounties Wanderers 0.
Monkey off their back, Dunbar Rovers scored their first victory of the season over Mounties Wanderers at Fraser Park.
It’s a win which has been coming for Dunbar Rovers after showing improvement week on week. With their two goals coming in the second half.
For Mounties Wanderers, it’s a frustrating result as they struggle to find any sort of consistency in the new year. They know they must improve starting with next week.
This one took a while to get going as both sides battled for the ascendency in the clash. However it will have been Dunbar who would walk away the happier in the first half, gaining confidence at the back while creating a few half-chances in transition.
The hosts rewarded for their efforts ten minutes into the second half. Daisuke Yamaguchi finding the back of the net with his head to open their account at home this season. With Fox Bengtsson compounding the misery with six minutes left to give Dunbar their first victory of the campaign.
They travel North-West next weekend to face Hills United, whereas Mounties host Rydalmere Lions.
Northern Tigers FC 0 v Dulwich Hill FC 1 (Daniel Fornito 33’)
Upset of the season? Dulwich Hill claimed a priceless victory over Northern Tigers away from home at North Turramurra.
Backing up off their midweek fixture, the Tigers were full of confidence coming into this one. Whipping the ball around in possession for lengthy periods without the reward of a clear-cut chance.
This allowed their visitors the chance to settle, with five changes to their line-up from last weekend including starting debuts for Jamison Power and Jonathan Whitehead.
And they got their reward on 33 minutes, Daniel Fornito scoring his second goal of the season. His shot finding the top corner of the net to give them the lead.
To their credit, the Tigers stuck to their gameplan after the break but it was a frustrating night for the hosts. With further changes resulting in the game opening up, allowing Dulwich to nearly grab a second in the latter stages.
Dulwich Hills will move onto next weekend full of confidence after their first clean sheet of the season with Canterbury Bankstown awaiting them at Arlington. While Northern Tigers travel south-west for a big clash with Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Rydalmere Lions FC 0 v Hills United FC 3 (Mitchell Smith 1’, Glen Kelshaw 6’, Belkadi 14’)
Hills United bounced back from their midweek loss in the best possible fashion putting three goals past Rydalmere Lions early to claim the spoils.
After their loss midweek, Luke Casserly’s side were in no mood to give their visitors an opportunity early in this one scoring three goals in the opening 15 minutes.
Mitchell Smith marking his return to the starting line-up with a goal in the first couple of minutes. Joined by captain Glen Kelshaw who beat the offside trap on six minutes, Thomas Makko with the assist. Before Jamal Belkadi added a third four minutes later as he fired the ball into the roof of the net.
After which, the home side did regain some composure, with the hosts having a much improved second half, often pinning back their visitors. However they couldn’t create the same sort of chances with Hills keeper Ryan Wood making just the one notable save.
Hills United face Dunbar Rovers next weekend, while Rydalmere Lions will be looking to bounce back against Mounties Wanderers.
Canterbury Bankstown FC 1 (James Ralston 20’) v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 1 (Mason Versi 31’)
Canterbury Bankstown stretched their unbeaten run to three games, claiming a point against Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Jensen Park.
A further sign of the progress in Wally Savor’s side, it’s a valuable point against one of the big clubs in the league. They took the lead nearly halfway through the first half and withstood a significant amount of Bonnyrigg pressure.
In contrast, it was another frustrating night for Bonnyrigg who would have felt they deserved more after significant amounts of the game saw them controlling things.
The hosts started well, with James Ralston finding the net on 20 minutes, his low drive finding the bottom right corner. The goal followed by a few good chances to double the advantage, however Jake Bradshaw and Nathan Manno couldn’t convert.
Goals change games, it’s an old cliché but still so relevant. Mason Versi showing good attacking instincts to follow a ball which was saved onto the post just after the half hour.
From there, the visitors were on top however they couldn’t find a way past a brave Canterbury Bankstown side, having to settle for a point despite a much improved performance.
Canterbury Bankstown are away to Dulwich Hill next weekend. Bonnyrigg White Eagles host Northern Tigers.
R3: Northern Tigers FC 3 (Kai Denton 20’, Oliver Scott 30’, Charles Abou Serhal 35’) v Mounties Wanderers FC 1 (Jesse Spang 49’)
Northern Tigers claimed a third victory of the season over Mounties Wanderers at North Turramurra Recreation Area midweek.
Fresh off a confident round four showing, the Tigers were in good form coming into this one and were 3-0 up by the half time break.
From there, the Mounties improved, but were unable to overturn a three goal deficit after the half time break, Jesse Spang with their solitary goal.
You guessed it, it was Kai Denton who opened the scoring in this one. The visiting defense punished for a goalkeeping mistake, Denton impressively picking up the ball, withstanding a physical challenge before his left footed strike looped into the net from about 20 yards.
Denton once again involved it the second. His long throw flicked on by Scott Browning at the near post with Oliver Scott making sure of it from close range.
The third coming five minutes later from the spot, Charles Abou Serhal stepping up to send the keeper the wrong way for the three goal advantage.
Mounties responded soon after the half time break through Jesse Spang but couldn’t add to their tally as Northern Tigers walked away with the victory.
R3: Canterbury Bankstown FC 3 (Jairo Fernandez 48’, Jake Bradshaw 66’, Cian McNamara 76’) v Rydalmere Lions FC 2 (Aidan Taouil 43’, Matthew West 75’)
Canterbury Bankstown FC made it two wins in two with a tight victory over Rydalmere Lions, last Wednesday night.
After a Aidan Taouil goal late in the first half for the visitors, the two sides traded barbs before Cian McNamara struck a decisive blow with under 15 minutes left.
The Taouil goal was a deserved one for the visitors who dominated the first half of proceedings overall.
However it was a couple of half time substitutes which changed the game for the hosts, as one of them in Jairo Fernandez opened their account three minutes into the second half.
Now the hosts had control and they found a second on 66 minutes, Jake Bradshaw finishing after Cian McNamara found him with a cross.
As the Fernandez sub paid off for the hosts, so did a Rydalmere substitute with fifteen minutes remaining. Matthew West with his first goal of the season from outside the area.
It was the hosts to come away with the victory though with Cian McNamara going from provider to scorer with a curling effort finding the top right corner.
By Justin Smith
