Round 6 Preview – League One Men’s
After what can only be described as one of the more chaotic rounds in recent memory, round six of the FNSW League One Men’s is upon us.
And who would want to be a competition writer with eight simultaneous kick offs? Yes every game kicks off at the same time highlighted by Bankstown City v Hakoah FC who are both looking to capitalise on positive momentum.
While elsewhere, 1st placed Blacktown Spartans travel to 3rd placed St George FC and Bonnyrigg host Northern Tigers in a heavyweight clash. Plenty to look forward too, so let’s get stuck in.
Match of the Round: Bankstown City FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Jensen Park
Our round six match of the round takes us to Jensen Park where Bankstown City host Hakoah FC.
Ah, you got to love a new coach bounce. It was a week of change for Bankstown City last weekend, one in which we saw our first coaching casualty of the season in Ante Moric. Moric replaced by Sasha Tirovski who returns to the club for a second coaching stint at the club.
And that change of personal at the top came with an instant result, the Lions putting together a complete performance over Inter Lions last weekend. Four different goal scorers found the net in that one as they doubled their season goal tally.
In terms of who to look out for, Jonathan Grozdanovski is a handful up top while Nikola Todoroski looks to be back at full fitness returning from injury. Looking for back-to-back victories, can they repeat last weekend’s performance?
Hakoah FC on the other hand will be backing up for their third fixture of the week. Having gone down to St George FC, it was looking bleak for Craig Sharpley’s side but a comeback against Macarthur Rams midweek from 2-0 down has them coming into this one with a bit of momentum behind them.
They come in with 7 points from their five games and will be looking for a win here to pull them back into contention. Spearheading their charge will be Nicholas Drummond who has continued his scoring form while Conor Earley has made a comeback from injury in recent times.
A victory here will be a chance for either side to really kick their season into gear. Join Nikola Pozder for the call on NPL.TV this Saturday night.
Dulwich Hill FC v Canterbury Bankstown FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Arlington Oval
Two round five winners face off at Arlington oval as Dulwich Hill play host to Canterbury Bankstown.
Who saw that coming? Dulwich Hill FC shocked the competition with their round five victory over Northern Tigers away from home. It was a classic 1-0 away performance from Paris Sviicich’s side, taking the lead courtesy of a Daniel Fornito goal before threatening on the counter as the game went on. A victory that will make them feel like they belong in League One.
We could almost ask the same question in regard to Canterbury Bankstown. Seven points from their last three games has them sitting as one of the inform teams. Last weekend they secured a confidence boosting point from their meeting with Bonnyrigg White Eagles with James Ralston finding the back of the net.
Both sides shared the spoils in their fixtures last year, with the away side taking out both. Will that continue in 2023?
Hills United FC v Dunbar Rovers FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Landen Stadium
Fresh from their first victory of the season, Dunbar Rovers face a tough test against Hills United at Landen Stadium.
Sitting in second position on ten points, Hills United have had an encouraging start to the 2023 season. Perhaps adding to that was the way they responded to their first defeat last weekend scoring three goals in the opening quarter hour against Rydalmere Lions. Led by captain Glen Kelshaw, their attack has clicked early this season with 14 goals so far and they’ll be confident of a result here.
They face a Dunbar Rovers side who will be more settled in their new surroundings after a debut 3 points last weekend. Yes, we’ve been awaiting a full 90 minute performance from the side coached by Christian Soares and it came in round five against Mounties Wanderers. Daisuke Yamaguchi and Fox Bengtsson found the back of the net and it could’ve been more. This week looks a tougher task on the road, but one they’ll be relishing.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Northern Tigers FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Two pre-season competition favourites meet as Bonnyrigg White Eagles host Northern Tigers in Sydney’s South-West.
Results wise, it’s been a disappointing couple of weeks for Bonnyrigg White Eagles who have one point from six in rounds four and five. Despite that, the coaching staff of Bomber Brown and Ray Miller got the response they wanted against Canterbury Bankstown with an improved performance. Mason Versi comes into this one in scoring form and a return home could serve them well here.
On the wrong end of one of the shocks of the season, Northern Tigers will be looking for a return to their own good form here. Leading into last weekend, they were in free-scoring form with three victories in a row however things didn’t go right for them against Dulwich Hill. Kai Denton is a threat leading the competition in goals scored, while Travis Oughtred was awarded man of the match last weekend as a key figure in defense.
It’s the kind of fixture we had circled leading into the season, the hosts will be confident due to a good head-to-head record including two victories last season.
St George FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Club
The undefeated Blacktown Spartans make the cross-city trip to Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre with St George FC awaiting them.
The Spartans have overcome every challenge that has faced them so far in 2023 racing out to a 3 point lead at the top. Last weekend, there were a few nervy moments against Central Coast United before they claimed victory. Goalscoring regulars Jovan Blagojevic and Emmanuel Dolo found the net, but their defense led by Peter Pelekanos which should not be underestimated with only 4 goals conceded in five matches.
This weekend however stands as potentially their toughest challenge so far in St George FC. The Saints will be confident after claiming victory over Hakoah FC on the road last weekend. Jay Mcgowan stands out as a key man after scoring both goals last weekend with Jane Talcevski’s side showing defensive discipline to hold out. They may have to do it without keeper Andrew Di Blasio though after he was injured in the warmup last weekend.
Macarthur Rams FC v Central Coast United FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Lynwood Park
Is this the League One distance derby? Central Coast United make the long trip to Sydney’s Macarthur region to take on the Rams.
Things were looking good midweek for Macarthur Rams having taken a two goal lead away from home. But in football things can change quickly and suddenly were reflecting on their game against Hakoah as two lost points. Sitting in 6th position after five rounds, the Rams are the highest placed new side to competition and with Anthony Proia scoring more than a goal a game, they’re a dangerous proposition here.
It’s been a rough start to life in the division for Central Coast United who find themselves sitting just above the bottom two sides after five rounds. They took a surprise lead last weekend against Blacktown Spartans but suffered from being their own worst enemy with a couple of critical mistakes pounced upon by the competition leaders. By no means panic stations yet, they’ll want a good showing here.
Inter Lions FC v SD Raiders FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Two sides separated by a point after five games meet in round six as Inter Lions host SD Raiders.
It’s safe to say both these sides have lacked an early season consistency after five rounds. Inter Lions with two victories in their opening five games have picked up wins over Rydalmere Lions and Hills United in round one and three. While SD Raiders has two victories as well over Dunbar Rovers and Macarthur Rams.
Last weekend, Inter Lions tasted defeat in the match of the round against Bankstown City. A couple of key moments early didn’t go their way and they quickly found themselves behind in the contest so expect a response here. While SD Raiders had no such troubles, having struggled in the early stages of both halves in previous weekends, there was a considerable improvement, Mihael Marcic proving a reliable goal scorer for Goran Ljuboja’s side.
Mounties Wanderers FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 11th March, 7pm, Cook Park (Mt Pritchard)
Mounties Wanderers and Rydalmere Lions will be aiming to return to winning ways in their round six matchup.
As a motto from the Lion King says, “you got to put the past behind you.” And it couldn’t be more relevant than at the Mounties Wanderers. After taking four points from their opening two fixtures, they suffered three losses in a week at the hands of Canterbury Bankstown, Northern Tigers and Dunbar Rovers. That last result setting off a few alarm bells. In need of some consistency, they’ll enjoy home comforts this weekend.
Two losses in the space of four days, Rydalmere Lions will enjoy being on the training pitch in the lead up to this one. Going down to Canterbury Bankstown narrowly last Wednesday, they were down three goals before they could properly settle against Hills United. Wasn’t all bad though as they put in a much improved second half performance despite not troubling the back of the net. They’ll be hoping to take that into this one.
R3 Review: Hakoah FC 2 (Nicholas Drummond 79’, Nicholas Tooley 86’) v Macarthur Rams 2 (Anthony Proia 52’, Christian Torrelli 68’)
Hakoah FC staged a two-goal comeback to secure a point from their clash with Macarthur Rams.
After resuming on the half hour mark, both sides were happy to size each other up before the game kicked into gear in the second half.
Anthony Proia giving the visitors the advantage from the penalty spot inside ten minutes of the resumption. A lead which was doubled 15 minutes later, Christian Torrelli finishing one-on-one after a flowing move.
Credit to the hosts though, they kept fighting and fortune favoured them in staging a two-goal comeback. The first goal set up by Gabriel Antoniades whose cross was deflected into the path of Nic Drummond who finished off.
Their second coming from a long throw with the ball sitting up for Nicholas Tooley this time to draw things level. Gabriel Antoniades picking up a late red card to conclude the action.
