Round 19 Preview – League One Men’s
This could well be one of the more important weekends in the FNSW League One Men’s competition with R19 fixtures potentially having multiple implications at either end of the table.
Jensen Park hosts our feature match as Canterbury Bankstown host Mounties Wanderers in a fixture which sees both sides at separate ends of the standings.
While elsewhere another top three matchup is upon us at Ernie Smith Reserve.
That and more in our round 19 preview.
Match of the Round: Canterbury Bankstown FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 10 June, 7pm, Jensen Park
It’s a matchup with consequences at both ends of the table as Canterbury Bankstown host Mounties Wanderers at Jensen Park.
Canterbury Bankstown on the one hand just won’t go away from a top six position with another victory here meaning they keep pace with the sides above.
While for Mounties Wanderers on the other, they need results if they are to remove themselves from 15th position which would see them in a relegation playoff if the season concluded now.
So how are these sides coming in to the fixture? Canterbury Bankstown have three wins in their last five fixtures, most recently toppling Rydalmere Lions last weekend. While Mounties Wanderers were on the end of a loss to Northern Tigers, they have four points in their last five fixtures.
In terms of key performers Gino Cerasoli has stepped up for Wally Savours side in recent times with a couple of goals. The other player to keep an eye on being Jairo Torne Fernandez who is key orchestrating attacks.
At the other end, it’s hard to go past Bruno Pivato as a player who will have a say in this one. While Jesse Spang leads the Wanderers in terms of goals this season.
Key to this one could be fortunes of both sides home and away this season. Canterbury Bankstown just losing at home once this season. While Mounties have only won once away from home. Tune in Saturday night to see if such fortunes remain the same.
Hakoah FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Saturday 10 June, 5pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah FC will be hoping that a short turnaround for Bonnyrigg White Eagles could spark a surprise result at Hensley Athletic.
Breaking their losing streak last weekend, Hakoah FC will be hoping this game gives them a chance to throw a cat amongst the pigeons in the top two race. Last weekends victory gave them a bit of breathing room away from the bottom two after eighteen rounds.
In which they came from behind against Macarthur Rams away from home. Missing a few regulars, we’ve grown used to seeing on the team sheet, George Tuson-Firth was the one to step up for the visitors scoring a hat-trick at Lynwood Park including a goal in stoppage time, always a good way to boost morale.
It’s a tough ask for Craig Sharpley’s side though as Bonnyrigg White Eagles are in season best form with six victories in a row. However, they do have a clash tonight at the time of writing with Hills United which could well bring that streak to an end.
Without a crystal ball though, we have to focus on last weekend in which they claimed victory over Dunbar Rovers. A game in which they came from behind once again with Zac Sfiligoi and Maksim Jez joining Emmanuel Gonzalez on the scoresheet.
Blacktown Spartans FC v Dulwich Hill FC; Saturday 10 June, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
Victory will be crucial for Blacktown Spartans when they host Dulwich Hill hoping to keep pace with the top two fight.
It’s weird to be talking about a Blacktown Spartans side who are more proficient in claiming wins on the road than at home but here we are. With six of their eight victories coming away from home this season, they’ll be looking to improve their home record with a victory here.
Back to last week however, they secured a needed three points against Bankstown City. They were relentless in their pressure across the duration, it eventually paying off with goals to Robert Eremugo, Emmanuel Dolo and Jovan Blagojevic. Victory here could see them jump the Berries up to fifth.
Dulwich Hill on the other hand secured a thumping victory which has seen them move to their best position so far. Yes, they have a six-point gap over Mounties Wanderers in fifteenth with twelve games remaining this season.
Key to their upturn in fortunes since the coaching change has been the contributions of young players, Emmanuel Zervas and Jacob Palamidas. Both of them finding the back of the net last weekend in their victory over Central Coast United.
SD Raiders FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 10 June, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Two top three sides meet at Ernie Smith Reserve as SD Raiders host Hills United this Saturday evening.
On paper, it looks a potential game of the season and we definitely would encourage you to get out to this one if you can.
Having arguably being flying under the radar for much of the season, SD Raiders had a massive victory last weekend over then 2nd placed St George FC. Sitting now in 2nd or 3rd depending on the midweek result in the competition, they are well in with a shot of a top two position.
And that result against St George was far from a traditional away from home performance with Goran Ljuboja’s side on top for a large part of the fixture. Scott Cusick continued his scoring form in the fixture while Sebastian Malfara scored an end-to-end solo goal. Now firmly in the spotlight, it’s perhaps their biggest test this season.
It’s the second time this week that Hills United match up against a top three opposition after travelling to Bonnyrigg Sports Club midweek. Prior to that, it’s been an impressive run which has stretched thirteen games without defeat.
Last weekend, they overcame Inter Lions by a single goal with an Eoin Montford penalty proving the difference on the scoreboard. While Ryan Wood was crucial to victory with a couple of quality saves and Tristan Van Rhoom also impressed. Two results this week would be a massive step towards their goal of promotion.
Northern Tigers FC v Central Coast United FC, Saturday 10 June, 7pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Two wins on the bounce, Northern Tigers will be looking to capitalise on their recent fortunes when they host a desperate Central Coast United.
This set of fixtures the first-time round were where Northern Tigers came away with their best set of results in the first round of games. And another victory here will reaffirm their position in the top half of the table.
Against another side facing equivalent struggles to Central Coast United in Mounties Wanderers, three first half goals extinguished any hope of an upset and they’ll be hoping for similar in this one. Keep an eye out for Kai Denton who scored a hat-trick last weekend.
Speaking of, their opponents Central Coast United will be desperate to prove a point in this one. Sitting bottom of the table, they hit a new low last weekend going down to Dulwich Hill by a six-goal margin.
Already three goals down, the dismissal of Geordie Howe made things worse for the Pirates in that one. Sitting four points below Mounties in 15th and seven points behind two teams outside the bottom two, they have plenty of motivation to prove a point here.
Rydalmere Lions FC v Bankstown City FC; Saturday 10 June, 7pm, Rydalmere Park
It’s a midtable showdown at Rydalmere Park as Rydalmere Lions host Bankstown City this Saturday night.
For Rydalmere Lions who hold ambitions higher up the table, it’s a disappointing position for them to be in after eighteen rounds. One victory in their past five games have them sitting on 25 points in ninth position.
In saying that however, they were perhaps unlucky to walk away emptyhanded last weekend in their fixture with Canterbury Bankstown. A fixture in which they had close to 19 shots on goal without finding the back of the net. Will they get that bit of luck in this one?
It’s been a tough run of games for Bankstown City who have seemingly hit a bit of a wall. Losses to Hills United and St George FC are probably understandable considering table position but last weeks defeat to Blacktown Spartans hurt.
On the face of it, going ahead in the game from a Jordan Morfitis goal was a positive in a game they spent a lot of time on the back foot. However, the pressure was always going to tell conceding three goals after. Sasha Tirovski will be looking for his side to mount a response here.
Dunbar Rovers FC v Macarthur Rams FC; Saturday 10 June, 7pm, Fraser Park
Fourteenth placed Dunbar Rovers host thirteenth placed Macarthur Rams in a game where both sides will be chasing three points which could be crucial in avoiding the bottom two.
On paper here, Dunbar Rovers are the form side with three victories in their last five games and another win here could set them up very nicely in their hopes of avoiding relegation. Sitting on 17 points from their 18 games, they sit 3 points above 15th placed Mounties Wanderers.
Last weekend, they held a surprise lead over Bonnyrigg White Eagles before their opponents proved just that little bit too strong. At risk of stating the obvious, their results this season have come built on defense so keeping Macarthur out will be crucial here.
Speaking of, Macarthur Rams will be eyeing this one as a chance to return to winning ways after two consecutive losses. It’s been a slow build for Darren Jones and his coaching team but slowly his teams’ performances are improving.
So, if they are to win here, it will be deserved. Last weekend they fell to Hakoah FC at home conceding a late goal. Daniel Bittar and Christian Torrelli are their attacking weapons but they’ll want to tighten their defense up ahead of this one.
Inter Lions FC v St George FC; Saturday 10 June, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Five points separate these two sides as Inter Lions host St George FC in a game where three points are crucial.
I know this is a league preview but let’s get this out of the way first and congratulate Inter Lions for making the national rounds of the Australia Cup. Now returning to league matters, John Theo’s side are facing the difficult task of balancing a midweek game every over week.
Sitting in 7th, they tasted defeat last weekend at the hands of competition leaders Hills United. The result putting them on the back foot in the race for the top two despite an encouraging performance. A victory here keeping them in touch as they await their cup fate.
Like their opponents this weekend, St George FC also suffered a loss in round eighteen of the competition. It’s the first time that the Saints have found themselves looking in at the top two in a while and they’ll be determined to bounce back.
Let’s start with the positives from their defeat against the SD Raiders. Them being a stunning goal from Jay Mcgowan and the return of Conor Quilligan off the bench. However apart from that it was a tough night, once they will want to put behind them leading into this one.
By Justin Smith
