Round 15 Preview – League One Men’s
With one last game before the second round of fixtures, we have a smorgasbord of action in round fifteen of the FNSW League One Men’s action.
Our match of the round is a much-anticipated fixture between Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Hills United.
While elsewhere fifth plays sixth and much more.
Match of the Round: Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 13 May, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
An inform Bonnyrigg White Eagles host their coaches former club and competition leaders Hills United in our match of the round this Saturday night.
The hosts Bonnyrigg White Eagles are in their best form of the season so far with three league victories coming in the space of a week (two of which came since our last preview). With 31 goals this season they sit just behind their visitors so hopefully we can look forward to a good clash for the neutrals here.
We’re prone to highlight attackers when writing, but it is no coincidence that this form has correlated with the return of Thomas Whiteside in defence. Whiteside also did find the back of the net last weekend as well in a goal of the season contender. In front of him, there’s plenty to look out for including Emmanuel Gonzalez who has eight goals this campaign.
The remarkable run of Hills United continued with a round fourteen victory over Hakoah FC last weekend. Sitting in first position as we approach the halfway mark, they have only dropped points in four games so far, losing just one of those.
So understandably, when we praise something at this point in the season, we’ve probably done it before. Last weekend Mitchell Smith was the standout against Hakoah FC with a first half brace. However, it is also important to give praise to their defense (currently equal as the leagues best) as they came under significant pressure in the second half.
On paper, this could be our best match of the round so far, make sure you catch it live at the ground or on NPL.TV powered by Cluch.
Hakoah FC v Dulwich Hill FC; Saturday 13 May, 5pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah FC and Dulwich Hill will both fancy their chances of a victory when they meet at Hensley Athletic Field.
Despite their round fourteen loss, there was significant improvement to be seen from Hakoah FC in their loss to Hills United. It followed a heavy round thirteen loss to Mounties Wanderers and signs were there that they will be a competitive force from here forward.
Returning to the pitch after a long period of time on the sideline was captain Yianni Spyrakis whose presence is invaluable in midfield. While if they are too succeed here, you would suggest Samuel Young will play a part after keeping his scoring record ticking over.
Their opposition Dulwich Hill have gone three games without a loss in recent times. A sign of progression in this unit, they last week matched it with the 2nd placed side in the competition in St George FC.
And it really could’ve been more with three or four chances late in the first half to extend their advantage before St George equalised. Sitting on 14 points from as many games, a victory here could see them move even more clear of the bottom two sides.
Central Coast United FC v Inter Lions FC; Saturday 13 May, 5pm, Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex
Central Coast United play host Inter Lions eyeing their third victory of the campaign at their third home ground this season.
It’s the first of three upcoming home games at the venue with Pluim Park unavailable. And despite dropping to last on the table, they will come into it in a positive mindset after two valuable points on the road.
After their remarkable comeback against St George FC, they once again came from behind against Rydalmere Lions last weekend. Zac Pezzutto got the important goal and their set piece threat is not to be ignored ahead of this one. They will be looking to improve their home record after an unusually poor return in 2023.
Making a case for the most travelled team in football nsw competitions this week, Inter Lions will make the trip North this time to face Central Coast United this weekend. It comes off a period where they played three times inside seven days.
In the league, it was tough going against Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Dunbar Rovers, but any disappointment was swept aside quickly with their cup result days later. Prevailing 2-0 over a pretty impressive looking Wollongong Olympic side, their confidence will be back heading into this one.
Dunbar Rovers FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Saturday 13 May, 7pm, Fraser Park
After their third victory of the season, Dunbar Rovers will look forward too a Blacktown Spartans shaped test this weekend.
The hosts will come into this having managed back-to-back results for the first time in the league, one being a victory over Inter Lions last weekend. Every point being vital in the battle at the bottom end of the table.
Defensively, Christian Soares’ side deserve credit as well with that game being their fourth clean sheet of the season. While Olivier Beltran-Woodward picked up a brace to bring his season tally to five goals.
It’s a tough test however with Blacktown Spartans coming into it after three positive results within a week. Sitting in third position, they are within striking distance of the team above them in the standings.
After a midweek cup victory over Central Coast United, coach Ben Rollison was complimentary of his sides mindset against Macarthur Rams scoring two goals early before controlling the game. Franco Scarcella and Christian Nascimben both finding the back of the net in the opening ten minutes.
Northern Tigers FC v Bankstown City FC; Saturday 13 May, 7pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Northern Tigers will be hoping that a return to home comforts will see them snap a three-game losing streak when Bankstown City visit.
It’s been a tough period of the season for Northern Tigers who surprisingly sit in the bottom half approaching round fifteen. Three straight defeats to Rydalmere Lions, Macarthur Rams and SD Raiders has seen them slip to that position.
After the initial disappointment passes of their cup loss to Sydney United midweek, they will be able to take confidence in their defence from it holding them for 117 minutes. While Shervin Adeli is one to keep an eye on, his goal against SD Raiders right out of the top draw.
Bankstown City on the other hand finally made good on their promise last weekend after a few tough results in recent times. Having let their opponents back into games on a regular basis, it was crucial that they did capitalise on their dominance against Canterbury Bankstown.
And it comes as no surprise that Jonathan Grozdanovski played a significant role adding two to his tally to make in four goals in his last four games. While Adrian Valenti is also a player getting plaudits, last week a reward for his hard work.
Canterbury Bankstown FC v Macarthur Rams FC; Saturday 13 May, 7pm, Jensen Park
Having both lost their round 14 fixtures, Canterbury Bankstown and Macarthur Rams will want to return to winning ways in their clash at Jensen Park.
Last weekend was a bit of a reality check for Canterbury Bankstown FC. They must have felt like they’d run into an ambush of sorts conceding three goals before the half time break against Bankstown City. Either that or entering the away dressing room threw them off their game.
Anyway, there was improvement in the second half of that fixture and they’ll be keen to keep that going against a similar opposition in Macarthur. Look out for Stefano Dubocanin, Joel Beattie and Brendan Mandividza who will be keen to make an impact here.
Still confident of making an impact this season, Macarthur Rams will be hoping to use last weeks defeat as a learning experience going forward. As things tend to go in football, the second game under coach Darren Jones didn’t go as well as the first as they went down to Blacktown Spartans.
With the two goals they conceded in that one coming early, you can be sure that their focus this weekend will be on starting well as well as being clinical in front of goal. With 15 games remaining in the season, a win here would see them comfortably clear of the bottom two.
SD Raiders FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 13 May, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Fifth hosts Sixth as Rydalmere Lions make the trip south to face SD Raiders at Ernie Smith Reserve.
After an inconsistent form guide in their past five fixtures, last week seemed to stabilise the SD Raiders as they moved to 24 points from 14 games. In a handy victory over Northern Tigers, they took advantage of their chances in front of goal to come out victorious.
The performance gained compliments as well with their structure in the fixture praised afterwards. Mark Cindric continues to be a danger, but a rare goal from James Letta put them ahead in the second half. They are one of a few teams sneaking up behind St George FC in second position.
It took fourteen weeks, but Rydalmere Lions finally were held to a draw in season 2023. Previously It was either all or nothing with Central Coast United the first to share points with Paul Frasers side. Occupying sixth position in the standings, they sit five points behind St George in 2nd position at the halfway point.
The star in that game with Central Coast United was Timothy Wohlfiel who was good in transition moments playing out from defence. While Dillian Kahale and Aiden Taouil both found the back of the net to put them ahead.
St George FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 13 May, 7pm, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
With teams breathing down their neck, St George FC will be eyeing victory when they host Mounties Wanderers at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
A dip in form is bound to happen in a long season and the last few weeks have been tough going for St George FC. With a loss and two draws in their last three, the chasing pack have nearly caught up so a result here is essential.
Last weekend against Dulwich Hill, they lacked a final ball to create chances despite holding the lion share of possession. Harry Jones the eventual scorer with ten minutes remaining to rescue a precious point in a game where their depth was tested.
Despite going down to Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend, there were quite a few positives for Mounties Wanderers as they look to play their way out of trouble at the wrong end of the table. With ten points so far this season, they sit in second last as we approach the halfway point.
Anyway back to the positives, they matched it with one of the in form sides in the competition last week, just unable to capitalise on the times they had the momentum in the fixture. Bruno Pivato will face his former club here and could be a key man in his combination with Shun Maeta and Jesse Spang.
By Justin Smith
