Round 11 Preview – League One Men’s
With the Easter weekend and some cup fixtures behind us, we turn our attention to round eleven of the Football NSW League One Men’s Season.
This weekend SD Raiders host our streamed match against Central Coast United, while elsewhere a league two grand final rematch and action between familiar opponents look set to entertain around the grounds.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders FC v Central Coast United FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Fourth plays sixteenth in our round eleven ‘match of the round’ as SD Raiders host Central Coast United at Ernie Smith Reserve.
With twelve places separating them, these two have had a contrasting first third of the season however both will be coveting a round eleven victory.
It’s not been an easy couple of weeks for SD Raiders, a congested fixture schedule has meant reduced time on the training pitch something that has played a role in rounds nine and ten. Still, sitting in fourth position is nothing to be sniffed at with Goran Ljuboja’s side capable of playing great football.
Last weekend they somehow salvaged a draw in a game where the odds were firmly against them. Down to nine men, they scored an injury time penalty through Sebastian Malfara to take a point. Indeed, Sebastian Malfara is a key feature of this Ljuboja’s side popping up at some crucial moments in recent weeks.
With the reminder that this league is indeed very unpredictable last weekend, Central Coast United will be hoping for their first victory in eight league games here. It’s been a tough spell for the Pirates and now is the time to steady the ship and navigate the leagues waters with a new coach after the departure of Wayne O’Sullivan during the week.
As such, they will be hoping that a cup victory last Monday could be the turning point going forward. Away to association club Orange Waratahs, they scored five goals with a team consisting of a mix of first grade regulars and youth players. So maybe we will see one or two of the young brigade here?
There’s still plenty of time for things to turn around for Central Coast United, however they are in need of a much-needed confidence boost after scoring just three league goals in 630 minutes.
Canterbury Bankstown FC v Dunbar Rovers FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Jensen Park
Canterbury Bankstown FC and Dunbar Rovers will both be looking to rebound from round ten defeats when they face off at Jensen Park.
Wally Savour’s Canterbury Bankstown side have been in a patchy run of form in recent weeks. They still however find themselves in a good position a third into the season sitting in sixth. With a couple of winnable games over the next two weeks, it will be a chance to pick up a further six points.
Last weekend didn’t go to plan however, reduced to ten men in the first half they initially rallied with a goal to Brendon Mandizvidza before they ran out of steam late. This on the back of a cup exit midweek means a win will be more that welcome here.
Despite the loss last weekend, there was plenty to like about Dunbar Rovers in their narrow defeat to Northern Tigers. For the most part, they showed discipline in keeping their fancied opponents at arm’s length, something they can take as a positive going forward.
Coming into this one after a big victory over Macarthur Rams in the cup, Tuesday night, their output in the attacking third will need to now see an uptick after scoring just seven goals in the opening ten weeks. Do that like they did midweek, and they will stand a chance in this one.
Dulwich Hill FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Arlington Oval
Dulwich Hill will be looking for their first league win under head coach Tony Valavanis when they meet Rydalmere Lions at Arlington Oval.
The coaching change at Dulwich Hill came before last weeks fixture with Hills United and despite coming out of that one with a 1-0 defeat, there was plenty to be encouraged by in that performance moving forward.
Sitting in 13th position on nine points, they are 3 points above Dunbar Rovers in 15th position ahead of this one and a cup defeat to NWS Spirit midweek means their attention will be purely on the league from here on out. First home fixture under a new boss, they will want to make a statement here.
Bounce back ability, we’ve talked about it before in previews and we will talk about it again, this week regarding Rydalmere Lions. After a winning streak came to a halt against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in round nine action, they were edged out by St George FC last weekend.
Part of a crowded midfield pack after ten weeks, they have yet to draw a game with five wins and five losses. Matthew West and Alistair Mckie found the back of the net last week but being reduced to ten men eventually took its toll conceding late. A victory here could see them re-orientate themselves ahead of a clash with Northern Tigers next weekend.
Blacktown Spartans FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
Seven points behind their opposition, Blacktown Spartans will want to reel in Hills United with a victory in this round 11 clash.
The Spartans will be coming into this one in good spirits after a midweek cup victory over fellow league one side St George FC at the same venue. They were also trailing in that one 3-1 before a comeback in the second half with goals coming from four different goal scorers.
Back in league matter however, they have drawn their past two fixtures which has seen the peloton catch them up from behind. A win here would be crucial and could see them solidify their position in third spot.
Ask anyone who has a knowledge of football, sometimes good teams just find a way to win and that’s certainly the case with Hills United. Sitting atop of the table, Luke Casserly’s side have both the best attack in the league and second-best defense.
In recent weeks though, it has been that defense which has proved a solid foundation for them having not conceded a goal in over 400 minutes. Which has allowed them to relax in attack and rely on moments such as Thomas Makko’s goal last weekend for victory.
So, could Blacktown Spartans be the team to break through here? Guess we’ll find out Saturday.
St George FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
A confident Bonnyrigg White Eagles side will make the trip east to face 2nd placed St George FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
After a round nine blip, St George FC returned to winning ways in round ten to solidify their position in the top two. With seven victories already, the Saints will be looking to keep their form in this one before a top two battle next week.
Crucial in their round ten victory over Rydalmere was midfielder Harry Jones who produced his best game of the season and was unlucky to get on the scoresheet. Elsewhere, Jordan Wang also impressed picking up two assists as an overlapping full back.
Suddenly with momentum behind them, Bonnyrigg White Eagles look good heading into this one. Yes, victories over Rydalmere Lions and Central Coast United last week saw them jump into a crowded midtable pack.
And it’s no surprise that this has come with the return of players after having several unavailable in recent weeks. Look out for both Emmanuel Gonzalez who returns to one of his former clubs and Aaron Peterson, both of them scoring in their two recent wins.
Macarthur Rams FC v Inter Lions FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Lynwood Park
It’s a 2022 league two grand final rematch as Macarthur Rams host Inter Lions in Sydney’s Southwest.
Well, that escalated quickly, it’s been a week the stuff of nightmares are made of for Macarthur Rams. Om the back of an 8-1 defeat to Mounties Wanderers last weekend, they were once again humbled by Dunbar Rovers in the cup.
Now having conceded 13 goals in 180 minutes, it’s a question of how they will recover going forward? So perhaps this is the ideal game to play with memories of last years grand final still fresh in the mind. Plenty of eyes will be on Macarthur this weekend, that’s for sure.
In contrast to their hosts this weekend, Inter Lions come into this grand final rematch in season best form. With victories over Northern Tigers, Dulwich Hill and Canterbury Bankstown in recent times, they prevailed in the cup midweek booking their ticket in round five of the preliminary stages.
Last weekend it was their bench which played a key role in their victory over Canterbury Bankstown. John Theodoropoulos using his bench expertly introducing Vincent Fedele and Daniel Georgievski at a crucial stage. We doubt they’ll need motivation for this one, but a win could see them jump into the top half of the competition.
Northern Tigers FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Northern Tigers and Hakoah FC resume hostilities as both look to build on some positive results in recent times.
False dawn or the sign of something starting to click? With back-to-back wins in rounds nine and ten, Northern Tigers are showing signs of coming to life as we enter the midseason. Conceding less than a goal a game, they’ve built a foundation which they can build on in forthcoming weeks.
Last weekend they had to dig deep to overcome a Dunbar Rovers side wanting to prove a point. Gian Fiorese with the winning goal in the second half to give them the three points. Indeed, it was a game where their defenders and central midfielders stood out with Scott Browning another notable performer.
Their opposition this week had a chance to strut their stuff in the cup midweek. Yes, Hakoah progressed to the next round of the Australian Cup qualifiers with a 7-0 thumping over league two side Parramatta FC.
It comes after a frustrating draw last Friday against Blacktown Spartans having held a lead. Samuel Young is in hot scoring form with four goals in the cup as well as a goal against Spartans, so his worth keeping an eye on. Sitting in midtable, a win here would take them to three games unbeaten.
Mounties Wanderers FC v Bankstown City FC; Saturday 15 April, 7pm, Cook Park (Mt Pritchard)
After a seven-goal victory last weekend, Mounties Wanderers return to the scene of the crime with Bankstown City their opposition this week.
Not even the staunchest of Mounties Wanderers supporters could have predicted the 8-1 victory over Macarthur Rams last weekend. It was an impressive statement from a side threatening to do something for a few weeks now.
And to prove it was no fluke, they went and scored another seven in their midweek cup game with Unanderra Hearts. There are too many goal scorers to mention but keep an eye out for Jesse Spang and Eijin Kishimoto among others. Morale in the group was never low, but they will believe they can take it to anyone now.
Not the only side in this boat, Bankstown City will continue their search for consistency on the park in this one. There’s no doubt they have the talent to match it with sides in this league, it’s just delivering on that with a performance across the full game.
Earlier this week they walked away from their Easter Monday meeting with SD Raiders shaking their heads having held a lead till late in the fixture. And if you had any doubt on the influence of captain Nikola Todoroski on this side, that game showed why he is still crucial to their fortunes, with his absence in the second half proving costly.
By Justin Smith
