Round 8 Preview – League One Men’s
After a quick pit stop in the cup midweek, Round 8 of the Football NSW League One Men’s competition returns to the pitch this weekend.
With a lot to look forward to at either end of the competition, let’s take a look at each fixture as we get ready to head into the second quarter of the competition.
Match of the Round: Central Coast United FC v Dunbar Rovers FC; Saturday 26 March, 5pm, Pluim Park
It’s still early season but this one could have implications later on as 14th placed Central Coast United host 16th placed Dunbar Rovers.
It’s not been an easy start to life for Central Coast United in League One. A draw last weekend broke a three-game losing streak but even that one could be classified as a disappointment having held the lead. Sitting in 14th, a win could be an important morale boost.
In terms of who you should watch out for in this Central Coast United team, Zac Pezzutto stands out as a player who could be the difference in this one. The youngster scoring a superb individual goal last weekend against Bankstown City. Behind him, Adam Woodbine also impressed in that one. One could argue that this is going to be won on defense though which has shown some improvement recently.
Dunbar Rovers on the other hand had a bit of a reality check in round seven action going down to St George FC 3-0. Sitting on three points after seven games, a victory here could see them jump over Central Coast United on the table among others.
That loss did seem a bit out of character for this weeks visitors having won their round five match with Mounties Wanderers and given Hills United a scare the week before. Having only scored five goals this season though, they will be looking for a better attacking output ahead of this one.
It’s a big game at the bottom end of the table, tune into NPL.TV at the earlier kick off time of 5pm this Saturday evening.
Hills United FC v Macarthur Rams FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Landen Stadium
Macarthur Rams make the trip to Sydney’s North-West to face 2nd placed Hills United at Landen Stadium.
With five victories in their opening seven fixtures, it’s safe to say Hills United have well and truly put their 2022 wounds behind them a couple months into the season. Three of those victories have come in a row, a feat they hadn’t managed to replicate since the 2019 finals series.
Last weekend was an impressive victory over Northern Tigers away from home. They scored in the opening quarter hour through Cameron Philp and kept the Tigers quiet through a good defensive performance, Rainer Smahel in particular earning plaudits while Nicolai Muller returned to the side in other notable squad news.
In contrast, Macarthur Rams have two wins, two losses and one draw in their past five fixtures. And as such they sit firmly in midtable after seven rounds. This will be their fifth outing against an existing league one side and so far this season they have relished the challenge with a respectable 4 points (pending a result against Bonnyrigg).
Last weekend however, it was a disappointing loss to Rydalmere away from home. Starting well, they couldn’t maintain their intensity and were punished. Another side who will come into the weekend after midweek cup action, consistency is the next step if they are to finish top half.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Four games without a win, Bonnyrigg White Eagles return home in round eight as Rydalmere Lions come to visit.
It’s been a tough early season period for Bonnyrigg who have found themselves sliding down the table in recent weeks. In 11th position after seven rounds, there’s a danger of this season becoming like the last as they have half the points tally of the top two.
Last time out wasn’t a good one for the club going down to local rivals SD Raiders away from home. The last thing you want in a derby is to fall behind early and they conceded three times in the opening half. A response is required so let’s see what they have to offer back at home this weekend.
And it will be a good test against an ever improving Rydalmere Lions side, Saturday night. Most promising about their performances recently is the improved defensive showings in their past two victories.
Yes it seems a long time ago that they conceded six on the opening day having held both Mounties Wanderers and Macarthur Rams to nothing. Last weekend against the Rams, it was two youngsters who impressed the most with Issac Cunningham and Kyle Sandi both showing promise in their victory. Another win here and a few eyebrows will be raised in the competition.
SD Raiders FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Fourth placed SD Raiders host Hakoah FC in a top half meeting at Ernie Smith Reserve, Saturday evening.
Here’s a team who have kind of snuck up on us, SD Raiders on the back of three straight wins now occupy a top four position, three points behind our leaders. After narrow victories over Macarthur Rams and Inter Lions, they had a season best victory in round seven.
And what an occasion to do it in for Goran Ljuboja’s side comfortably beating their rivals in Bonnyrigg White Eagles. They took control of the fixture early and scored three times in the first half through Mark Cindric, Mihael Marcic and Cooper Hanagan. It was a team effort though and confidence will be high going into this one.
There are not many better feelings than a late winner in this game we all love. As such, Hakoah FC will be coming into this one in good spirits after a three-game winless run. Sitting in 7th position, a win here will see them jump their opponents if they need further motivation.
Anyway back to last week, Craig Sharpley’s side both started and finished the fixture well racing out to a two goal lead against Inter Lions before Ben Fuchs scored a last minute winner. A moment which could well give them momentum going forward with key players Cam Philpot and Yianni Spyrakis to return.
St George FC v Canterbury Bankstown FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
We’ll raise you one better, competition leaders St George FC host Canterbury Bankstown in a top four clash in Sydney’s South.
In round seven, our competition leaders St George stretched their winning run of form to four games with a victory over Dunbar Rovers. In that period of time, they have scored eleven goals while only conceding the one at the other end.
Yes, it’s beginning to look like they are the real deal, something we could learn more about this weekend against Canterbury Bankstown. Well worth mentioning in this run however is keeper Daniel Axford who has stepped in seamlessly with 1st choice keeper Andrew Di Blasio on the sidelines.
As mentioned above though, Canterbury Bankstown will be a good test for our competition leaders. Wally Savour’s side are unbeaten in five with their victory over Blacktown Spartans last weekend perhaps being the best of the lot.
The Berries showed they well and truly belong in the division with an impressive first half performance in that one before a late goal gave them the three points. Brendon Mandizvidza and Gabriel Lopez both found the net but it was the return of Gino Cerasoli which most impressed his coach.
Inter Lions FC v Northern Tigers FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
With both Inter Lions and Northern Tigers winless in their past three matches, something has got to break when they lock horns in round eight action.
Two 3-2 defeats on the spin, Inter Lions will be pulling out all stops to claim their third victory of the season in this one. It’s a run of form which has players and coaches alike scratching their heads as they look to bounce back from defeats to Hakoah, SD Raiders and Bankstown City.
If they are to bounce back though, they’ll need to improve early in this one having last week conceded two goals in the opening 20 minutes. In squad news, Jack Green will miss this one after a red card last weekend, while the set piece threat of Nicholas Paras is something to look out for.
Its rare that a team will look forward to travelling to an away game over a home fixture but you’d imagine Northern Tigers will enjoy being away from home in round eight. So far this season, they have gone undefeated away from North Turramurra with 7 points from 3 games.
Contrast that with 3 points from a possible 12 at home and you’ll see what I mean. Last weekend they went down to Hills United narrowly at home, the third time they’ve been held scoreless at NTRA this season. They come into this one after a midweek cup win against Marulan.
Mounties Wanderers FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Valentine Sports Park
Fourth placed Blacktown Spartans will see a chance to return to winning ways when they come up against Mounties Wanderers.
The form guide makes for bleak reading for anyone associated with Mounties Wanderers. Five games without a point in the league, they went down narrowly to Dulwich Hill FC last weekend. Yes, that doesn’t sound to bad to you consider their opponents were down to ten for over half of that one.
It’s a sign of a side struggling to end their poor run of form. Which is why a cup game during the week might just be the thing they needed ahead of this one. On the bright side, three goals last weekend was their best output this season with Zander Regan picking up two of them (well if you take out their 16-0 cup win midweek).
Two games without a victory, Blacktown Spartans will be desperate to take away three points from this one to solidify their top four position. After five games unbeaten at the start of the campaign, losses to St George FC and Canterbury Bankstown FC have them in fourth position.
Against Canterbury Bankstown last weekend, they had some good periods of play, but they’ll want to stitch together a performance closer to 90 minutes here. Emmanuel Dolo continues to look their main threat as the season progresses, the dynamic winger showing it isn’t just pace to his game last weekend.
Bankstown City FC v Dulwich Hill FC; Saturday 26 March, 7pm, Jensen Park
Finally, Jensen Park plays host as Bankstown City and Dulwich Hill conclude our preview of the action this weekend.
Sitting on seven points from their seven games, the competitions draw specialists Bankstown City will be keen to secure their 2nd victory of the season here. It’s been a solid yet unspectacular start for life under the new coach with two draws against Central Coast United and Hakoah in as many weeks.
Against Central Coast United, there were positives and negatives to take away from that performance. Most of the negatives coming in the opening half before they showed character to claw back a point at the death, Mark Moric equalising in injury time.
They face a Dulwich Hill side who have won two of their last three matches. It’s been what some would consider a surprising turn of form which has them sitting above their opponents this weekend in 10th position.
More impressive was the way the victory came last weekend. John Koch being sent off before half time after which, Dully matched it with Mounties Wanderers on the score sheet. Keep an eye out for Jamie Dib who played a role in multiple goals in his first start of the season.
By Justin Smith
