Round 21 Preview – League One Men’s
With ten rounds remaining in the Football NSW League One Men’s competition, the stakes are increasing as we approach round 21 of the competition.
Off the park, there could be some changes in store with the window open, so let’s take a look at how teams sit before the weekend.
Match of the round: Blacktown Spartans FC v St George FC; Saturday 24 June, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
Ben Rollison’s Blacktown Spartans host our match of the round against St George FC at Blacktown Football Park.
It stands as an important game for both sides as they aim to keep in touch with the top four. Blacktown Spartans in 6th position on 33 points while St George are sitting on 35 points with just one win in their past five.
With 11 goals at either end in their last two games, Blacktown Spartans are quickly becoming a must watch. Two games in which they have emerged with four points from them. Last weekend it was a close call against a determined Central Coast United coming from behind in the second half.
Indeed, that will be a pleasing aspect for the Spartans who despite not being at their best in recent weeks have got two results. Now they will be looking to turn the character in the team to ruthlessness. Something striker Daniel Durkin isn’t lacking at the moment, a key man if they are to prevail here.
You can expect this one to be a tussle however as St George look for their second win in their past five games. Indeed, ever since their defeat to Hills United back in round twelve, winning hasn’t come easy for the Saints.
Last weekend, it was looking like one of those nights against Hakoah FC. Against an opposition content to sit back, they saw multiple opportunities fail to find the back of the net before falling behind. Thankfully for them however, Conor Quilligan found the back of the net to rescue a point.
With the Saints looking to turn good performances into good results and Blacktown Spartans searching for their best, another cracking match of the round awaits us on NPL.TV.
Central Coast United FC v Macarthur Rams FC; Saturday 24 June, 5pm, Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex
Ten games left, ten points from safety. The equation couldn’t be simpler for Central Coast United who desperately need a win against Macarthur Rams, Saturday evening.
It would be some turn around if they were to do it as things don’t seem to be going their way. Sitting in last position without a victory since mid-April, it just seems that Central Coast United are finding new ways to lose every week.
Last weekend, they did have the lead against Blacktown Spartans with goals to Zac Pezzutto and Adam Woodbine. Pezzutto in particular a bright spark for the pirates in 2023. Do you believe in miracles? Cause its beginning to look like they’re going to need one to guarantee survival.
In contrast to the hosts in this one, spirits at Macarthur Rams will be high after a big victory over a local rival last weekend. Back-to-back wins has seen them jump up into a comfortable midtable position on 26 points.
Let’s bring our focus back to last weekend however, a performance which showed improvement in both aspects of the game. Former SD Raiders Daniel Bittar and Matthew Barkho scoring against their former club in attack, while they held one of the better attacks in the league in the second half.
Hakoah FC v Bankstown City FC; Saturday 24 June, 5pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah FC will be chasing just their fourth win at home when they host Bankstown City who are coming in from a round 20 victory.
One side who will be perhaps looking to improve their team in the window is Hakoah FC. Granted injuries throughout the season haven’t helped but there’s an argument for them being the most disappointing side in 2023.
Sitting in 13th averaging just over a point per game, they took exactly that against St George FC last weekend. A good point on the face of it but when you add the fact they led as late as the 87th minute, could it have been more?
In a bit of a twist on last weeks events, we did see a team breaking a losing streak in Bankstown City. They were involved in a heated affair with Inter Lions prevailing with a late Mark Moric penalty in injury time.
Prior to that, it was a game of two halves. Sasha Tirovski’s side looking good for the first 45 minutes with Jordan Morfitis finding the back of the net. Before losing control in the second half scraping a late winner from the spot. Can they find back-to-back victories here?
Canterbury Bankstown FC v Dulwich Hill FC; Saturday 24 June, 7pm, Jensen Park
Two round 20 winners meet when Canterbury Bankstown welcome Dulwich Hill to Jensen Park.
The form team in the competition? Three victories in a row has seen Canterbury Bankstown restore their place in the top four. Sitting three points behind Bonnyrigg in 2nd, maybe just maybe they can compete for a playoff spot.
Last weekend, they shocked the competition with a two-goal victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles away from home. Nic Petrillo and Cian McNamara scored in the first ten minutes of each half but it could have been more after an impressive performance.
Like their hosts, Dulwich Hill are also in a good spell of form with seven points in their past three outings. A second victory over Northern Tigers last weekend moved their points tally up to 24 points, 10 points clear of Mounties Wanderers in 15th.
In a sign that the squad are comfortable playing how Tony Valavanis wants them too, there were moments last weekend where their combination play was great. Emmanuel Zervas singled out as a player to watch alongside influential striker Daniel Fornito.
SD Raiders FC v Inter Lions FC; Saturday 24 June, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Third placed SD Raiders host Inter Lions at Ernie Smith Reserve after a rare loss last weekend.
It was a loss which would have SD Raiders kicking themselves afterwards, given Bonnyrigg dropped points above them. In a congested top four, they sit in third position dropping points in their last two games.
Last weekend, they were punished for a slow start conceding twice before half time leaving them with a lot to do in the second period. Possibly their worst performance this season, they will be keen to turn around their fortunes here.
They face an Inter Lions side who are finding the going tough in recent times. Yes, they haven’t won a game in June yet, with two defeats in the league and one in the cup in recent times. Now with a bit of clear air, can they return to form here?
Last week saw them fall to Bankstown City in a game where they were reduced to ten. Nicholas Paras scored a free kick after Oliver Green saw red in the second half. They need to overturn a first-round defeat to SD Raiders in a game with 5 goals. So same here lads?
Northern Tigers FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Saturday 24 June, 7pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Just the thought of this fixture is enough to make you cold, Bonnyrigg White Eagles travel to North Turramurra to take on Northern Tigers.
With both sides coming into this one having lost their respective round 20 fixtures, there’s a lot on the line particularly for the visitors.
So, let’s start with them then as it was perhaps the more significant result in the context of the season. Yes, after an eight-game winning run, Bonnyrigg White Eagles were grounded with a defeat to Canterbury Bankstown last weekend.
Described post-match as a poor performance, they conceded a goal early in each half putting them on the back foot against Canterbury Bankstown. With a full week to prepare on the training ground and plenty of motivation, we can expect a response here against a side they have a good record against.
Football is a game about moments and Northern Tigers will look to one which didn’t go their way last weekend as a spark for their return home. Coming away with a single goal defeat last weekend against Dulwich Hill, they thought they had an equaliser to salvage a point.
The important thing here being that they use that in a positive manner and not sink to consecutive defeats as they have been prone to do this season. A result here should consolidate their place in the top half.
Rydalmere Lions FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 24 June, 7pm, Rydalmere Park
Looking to carry momentum from a good performance last weekend, Rydalmere Lions take on Mounties Wanderers at Rydalmere Park.
Take away the scoreline, you’d struggle to find a better performance last weekend than that of Rydalmere Lions. They threw absolutely everything at Hills United before succumbing to a narrow defeat late on.
Safe to say that if they do the same here, three points will follow. So how did they put the competition leaders on the back foot? They executed their press effectively while starting fast in either half. This side has the potential to really cause sides trouble in the final ten games.
Well then, we’ve reached the Mounties Wanderers part of the preview. Like Central Coast United below them, it’s pretty bleak going for Mounties who are going to need a turn in form to avoid a playoff if the table stands.
Last Sunday was one to forget for them, losing 4-0 at home to Dunbar Rovers who sit just above them. They need something but will it come in time to avoid a bottom two spot?
Dunbar Rovers FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 24 June, 7pm, Fraser Park
Hills United will be looking for three points on the road as they travel east for a catch up with Dunbar Rovers.
This game almost stands as a free hit for Dunbar Rovers who have nothing to lose against their fancied opponents. Last weekend they claimed an all-important victory over Mounties Wanderers which has given them some breathing room.
Scoring a season high goal tally, they found particular joy from the set piece on the day with one leading to the second and third goal. After which Christian Soares praised his side for their efforts. If they are to pull off an upset here, the dead ball could play a crucial role.
Well, what a showcase last weekend was for Hills United. Up against a relentless Rydalmere Lions side, they came from 3-1 down in the second half finding a way to keep their unblemished home record intact.
Two individual performances stood out in that one. Firstly, that of captain Glen Kelshaw who scored two and set up another. And secondly that of Jared Rimmer on debut. The youngster playing a key role in a couple of their goals. Leading the lead by six points, they will be heavy favourites going into this one.
By Justin Smith
