Round 13 Preview – League One Men’s
The action is coming thick and fast in the Football NSW League One Men’s competition with many teams involved in the cup as well as the league.
However, the weekend is our focus as Round 13 approaches with plenty of action scattered around the grounds, let’s look ahead to the fixtures here.
Match of the Round: Hakoah FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 29 April, 5pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah FC host our round thirteen match of the round against Mounties Wanderers as they look to find consistency in the second third of the season.
Back-to-back victories has been something that has avoided Hakoah FC so far this season. Yet they will consider this as a pretty good chance to do exactly that.
Last weekend, they prevailed over Dunbar Rovers at home by a two-goal margin to take them to 18 points among a crowded mid table.
The main difference in that one and a key player to watch out for here is Cam Philpot. Philpot proving his worth to his new club with two goals in amongst a performance where he was everywhere.
Elsewhere across the park, Samuel Young is a danger up front with eight goals this season (including cup) and Gabriel Antoniades found the back of the net last weekend.
Anything as long as this doesn’t finish in a 1-0 loss? After an initial sugar hit following a head coach change, a couple of 1-0 losses has seen the Mounties Wanderers return to 15th place on the table after twelve rounds.
Result aside though and last weekend they were perhaps unlucky to not get something from their clash with SD Raiders with some good chances falling their way late.
Yet that has been an unfortunate familiar story in recent times after being held scoreless in four of their last five fixtures in the league. Something they will be looking to change ahead of this one.
It’s a tough one to call, so make sure you catch this one live or on demand via NPL.TV powered by Cluch.
Canterbury Bankstown FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, Jensen Park
After passing their biggest test of the season so far, Hills United face another top five opposition in Canterbury Bankstown at Jensen Park.
After a disappointing result in round eleven, Canterbury Bankstown made sure they weren’t going to make the same mistake last weekend with a victory over Central Coast United.
They had to show some patience against an opposition who were happy to sit back and look for opportunities on the counter.
Goalkeeper Ahmad Ismail played a key part with a penalty save before Brendon Mandizvidza and Garang Awac both found the back of the net to give them a sixth victory of the season.
It was a statement result for Hills United in round twelve as they extended their unbeaten streak to eight games with a victory over St George FC.
Inspired by a healthy crowd at Landen Stadium, their second half performance was a privilege to witness putting their opponents under a lot of pressure with and without the ball.
Apart from their four goal scorers, it’s important to single out their central midfield as a major factor in their success. Nicolai Muller holding things together anchoring the midfield, his efforts rewarded with the internal man of the match award, while Thomas Makko could be one of the best central midfielders in the division.
Perhaps the surprise packets of the season against the competition leaders, it should be a good one at Jensen Park.
Dulwich Hill FC v SD Raiders FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, Arlington Oval
After breaking their losing streak last week, Dulwich Hill will be after three points when they host SD Raiders at home.
It’s been a slow rebuilding process for Dulwich Hill in recent weeks, however they finally got a reward of sorts with a point against Macarthur Rams.
They were on top for the majority of their match of the round meeting with Macarthur Rams, perhaps unlucky to come away without the three points.
If they are to get a victory here, Daniel Fornito looks the most likely to create something for them, his linkup with Jamie Dib critical to their success in the front third.
Speaking of much needed victories, SD Raiders returned to winning ways for the first time in three weeks in round twelve.
And it was a case of doing so by any means necessary prevailing by a single goal over Mounties Wanderers at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Mark Cindric continues to be their main attacking threat, but they will need to put together a better performance going forward if they are to keep tabs with the top five sides.
Blacktown Spartans FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans will be hoping for their first win in over a month when they host fourth placed Rydalmere Lions.
It’s not been an easy month for the Blacktown Spartans who have just three points in their last four fixtures after their positive start to the season.
Last weekend, they came away with nothing from a game they were in control of till the final fifteen minutes against Inter Lions.
Hyungmin Yang found the back of the net in the first half to put his side ahead but they just couldn’t hold on. However there have been positives in recent weeks, particularly that of 2nd choice goalkeeper Nathaniel Owen who has impressed in the absence of Michael Figueira.
They face another new side to the division who are impressing in Rydalmere Lions. Sitting in fourth position after twelve rounds, the Lions had their best result of the season last weekend.
Against an in form Northern Tigers sides, Rydalmere controlled the fixture on the scoreboard for the most part taking the lead twice.
Ahmad Taleb is a player to watch out for here after six goals in the league this season, while striker Matthew West looks like he has played his way into the division, a regular on the scoresheet over the past month.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Inter Lions FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Well if these two sides weren’t familiar with each other before… Bonnyrigg White Eagles host Inter Lions in a meeting between two in form sides.
The fixture comes just days after the two sides meet in the cup, Wednesday night at the same venue.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles come into the fixture after three victories in four games which has seen them located just three points behind their opponents this weekend.
Last week, they secured three points from a derby game against Bankstown City at Jensen Park.
Coming from behind, “Bombers” side were irresistible in the second half coming from a goal down with goals to Emmanuel Gonzalez and Aaron Peterson just reward for their dominance. With a home crowd behind them, they’ll be hoping to keep the good times rolling here.
To do so however, they will need to put together a full ninety-minute performance with their opposition Inter Lions quickly becoming the league’s entertainers.
Yep, five of their last six goals came after the 75th minute in victories over Macarthur Rams and Blacktown Spartans.
Look out for the influence of their bench in both the cup and league matches between these two. While in terms of individuals, Thomas Quilligan is in good form off the bench.
Dunbar Rovers FC v Bankstown City FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, Fraser Park
It’s that time of the season where points against teams around you become a premium, as such Dunbar Rovers and Bankstown City will be desperate for the three points here.
Despite what last week’s scoreline suggests, Dunbar Rovers weren’t too far away from gaining a result against Hakoah FC in round twelve.
Christian Soares’ side sit bottom of the table with seven points however they did have a few good chances to take something away last weekend.
Olivier Beltran-Woodward gave them a lead in the first half with their first goal in four games before some avoidable mistakes ended up costing them dearly.
And they have every chance of coming away with something depending on which Bankstown City side turns up.
Yes, it’s a preview writers’ nightmare as it’s hard to predict what kind of performance Sash Tirovski’s side are going to put on the park.
At their best, they can match it with anyone in the division and we got a brief demonstration of that last weekend against Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Jeffrey Issa combining with Ante Tomic for the early goal before a disappointing second half.
St George FC v Central Coast United FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Second plays fourteenth as St George FC host Central Coast United at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Saturday night.
The hosts come into this one having tasted defeat for the second time in a month at the hands of Hills United FC.
In the top of the table clash, they showed their quality for a half hour period in the first half, controlling the game in terms of possession. However they just lacked the finishing touch on the end of it, something which ended up costing them in the second half.
Still with a four-point gap to third place below them, they are in good position with a few players to make their return in upcoming weeks. They will be favourites coming into this one but will have to be wary of the counter attack.
Sitting just above the bottom two, Central Coast United will be relishing their role as the underdog when they make their trip to Sydney’s South.
Indeed, it was in similar circumstances where they last tasted victory a fortnight ago at Ernie Smith Reserve.
Last week however, they were on the end of another harsh lesson against Canterbury Bankstown. Paying the ultimate price for not taking their opportunity from the spot with two goals coming at the other end. Under Dean Heffernan, they will want to bounce back and show the league their character in this one.
Northern Tigers FC v Macarthur Rams FC; Saturday 29 April, 7pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
After tasting defeat on the road last weekend, Northern Tigers return home to host Macarthur Rams at North Turramurra.
Round twelve didn’t quite go to plan for Northern Tigers last weekend with their three-game winning streak coming to a halt against Rydalmere Lions.
The Tigers haven’t quite been able to get a run going this season which has sees them sitting in the midfield pack after a dozen games.
A key feature in this is Scott Browning, Adam Hett’s side looking a more dangerous prospect when he is involved opposed to when he’s not. All six of their victories coming when he plays a part. They come into this one having played Sydney University midweek.
It’s been a rough few weeks for Macarthur Rams. After losses to Mounties Wanderers, Dunbar Rovers and Inter Lions, it didn’t get any better against Dulwich Hill.
Yes, they took a point away from their round twelve clash, but they were outplayed for a lot of the game perhaps fortunate to take away a point.
Sitting above the bottom five sides, they will need a win soon to avoid being swallowed up by the teams below.
By Justin Smith
