Round 23 Preview – League One Men’s
Six pointers at either end, Round 23 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition could not be set up any better with 8 games to go in season 2023.
Our match of the round takes us to Fraser Park for 14th against 16th, both sides desperate for a victory. While at the other end, 2nd placed Canterbury Bankstown hosts 4th placed St George FC in another massive game.
That and much more awaits us this weekend.
Match of the Round: Dunbar Rovers FC v Central Coast United FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, Fraser Park
Our focus returns to the bottom end of the season as Dunbar Rovers host Central Coast United with both sides needing a win.
With Mounties Wanderers hitting form in recent weeks, pressure is being felt for both these sides with Dunbar Rovers only one point above them in 14th place while survival prospects are slipping away for Central Coast United nine points behind the Wanderers.
Despite last week’s result, it has been a good period of the season for Dunbar Rovers. They have taken four points from their last three including a draw against the competition leaders a fortnight ago.
Last weekend, they were unlucky to go down to St George FC, showing good resilience in defense, it took 70 minutes for the Saints to break the deadlock. And we could well be talking of a draw in that one with a call not going their way late.
Eleven weeks not for the wanted trying, Central Coast United will be desperate to overturn their poor run of form in this one. And if they don’t, defeat could affectively confirm their return to league two.
Aside from the absence of Daniel McFarlane, last weeks team was perhaps the strongest in which they could field but they couldn’t quite manage a result against Bankstown City. A big match for the pirates, they’ll need to overturn a 2-0 loss in the first meeting between the sides.
So, a massive clash at the bottom end of the table awaits us, you can catch the game either at the ground or on NPL.TV this Saturday night.
Hakoah FC v SD Raiders FC; Saturday 8 July, 5pm, Hensley Athletic Field
SD Raiders travel east needing to recapture winning form when they face Hakoah FC at Hensley Athletic, Saturday evening.
The visiting Raiders come into this one on the back of three straight losses, while Hakoah have secured five points in the same amount of time.
Well win your home games and take a point away. That’s how Hakoah’s recent form has played out although it could have been more…
They held the lead right up until the final stages of their clash with Inter Lions last weekend. Ben Fuchs grabbed a double and they seem to have finally shaken off their injury concerns while strengthening where needed.
The last month has not been kind to SD Raiders who have fallen to three defeats in a row including a derby loss last weekend.
They were quite simply outplayed against Bonnyrigg White Eagles going down to a 3-0 defeat. As such a response is needed in this one if they want to keep pace with the top four. In the last meeting between the two, they prevailed 3-1 back in March.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Rydalmere Lions FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Two round 23 victors face off when Bonnyrigg White Eagles host Rydalmere Lions in their second straight home game.
It was an important victory for both these sides who bounced back from consecutive defeats in the weeks previous.
Sitting equal second behind Canterbury Bankstown, last weeks victory over SD Raiders could well prove a crucial one for Bonnyrigg come seasons end.
New signing Stefan Nikolic scored in his second appearance for the club, while both Nick Sullivan and Jason Perez came off the bench for their first appearance for “Bomber” Browns’ side. This could be another big step towards finishing in the top two here.
Standing in their way are Rydalmere Lions, a side who we know can challenge the best sides in the division.
They triumphed over Macarthur Rams last weekend with Jacob Chidiac playing a key role with a brace. Keep an eye out for Alistair Mckie as well who both captains the side and is a solid performer at left back.
Canterbury Bankstown FC v St George FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, Jensen Park
Four to become three? Canterbury Bankstown host fellow top four side St George FC in a massive clash at Jensen Park.
The Berries have the best form of the competition of late with five consecutive victories, while St George have recaptured some of the form they demonstrated earlier this season.
Having past all their previous tests, another one awaits Wally Savours side this weekend who are looking for their sixth consecutive victory.
Last weekend they were ruthless against Blacktown Spartans away from home scoring three without response in a comfortable victory. In that one Jairo Torne Fernandez scored once again but it was Joel Beattie who stole the show with a brace. They will be looking to go one better than their 3-2 defeat to the Saints back in round 8.
Despite losing a couple of key features in their attack, St George looked to have turned their form around with eight points coming in their past four.
Last weekend, they were given a tough test by Dunbar Rovers at home. The Saints having to show patience before Harry Jones broke the deadlock. Continuing to stick to their philosophy of trusting in their youth, it will be interesting to see how they stand up to the challenge possessed by the hosts.
Blacktown Spartans FC v Mounties Wanderers FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
Mounties Wanderers will look to continue their charge when they travel to face Blacktown Spartans away from home.
Yes, the visitors have made inroads on the competition above with two straight victories and sit one point behind Dunbar Rovers. While Blacktown Spartans have suffered two defeats at home which has seen them lose touch with the top four.
Expectations have been flipped for Blacktown Spartans this season who find themselves both on top of the away table and in 14th when playing at home.
Conceding seven goals in their last two home games, you would expect a particular focus on starting well this weekend. And in squad news, Blake Ilitch and Yuto Mochizuki made their first appearances for the club last week.
It took 22 weeks, but Mounties Wanderers have finally notched back-to-back victories in season 2023 bringing with it a newfound confidence.
Backing up their victory over Rydalmere Lions, they once again found a way to secure three points against Dulwich Hill. Matthew Self and Anthony Vastag have both scored in said games while Kuot Maliet scored in his first appearance for the club.
Northern Tigers FC v Inter Lions FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Two midtable sides face off against each other when Northern Tigers welcome Inter Lions to North Turramurra.
Four victories in their past five, Northern Tigers have found form including a precious win over the competition leader’s last weekend. While Inter Lions sit two points below them on the table with their last two seeing them come away with a win and a draw.
The only side to triumph over Hills United at Landen Stadium this season, the Tigers are in ominous form.
Possessing the league’s top scorer in Kai Denton, they are always a threat and it proved to be late in last weeks fixture. With fellow front man Matthew West joining him on the scoresheet for the winner. Can they mount a late challenge for the top two?
We could probably get away with just copy/pasting the Inter Lions section of the preview every week eh?
Yes, another late comeback from the Lions saw them steal a point against Hakoah in a game of two halves. Probably the most settled side in the comp with not many changes in the window, they triumphed in the previous meeting of the two. Oh, and enjoy that trip to Darwin!
Dulwich Hill FC v Bankstown City FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, Arlington Oval
Not safe yet. Three points is the reward for Dulwich Hill and Bankstown City as they look to ensure their safety in season 2023.
The going has been tough for Dulwich Hill in recent weeks with two defeats in as many games while Bankstown City claimed a victory last weekend to move them three points above their opposition coming into this one.
The hosts Dulwich Hill find themselves in the midst of an injury crisis which has affected recent results. Still there were positives to take from last weekend, Tony Valavanis proud of the heart his side showed last weekend in defeat.
Bankstown City on the other hand have a reputation of being inconsistent. However two victories in their past three have come at a good time as they look to have avoided been dragged into a relegation fight. Jordan Morfitis and Asmir Kadric are both players to watch ahead of this one.
Bankstown City were the ones to triumph in the last clash between these two, can the hosts get a much-needed victory here?
Macarthur Rams FC v Hills United FC; Saturday 8 July, 7pm, Lynwood Park
Finally, Hills United will be looking for their second win in five games when they travel to Sydney’s South-West to face Macarthur Rams.
A rare home defeat for Hills United last weekend cut their advantage at the top, while Macarthur Rams tasted defeat in our match of the round however sit comfortably in mid-table after 22 rounds.
It’s funny how football works sometimes isn’t it? Despite playing some of their best football this season, Hills United fell to defeat to Northern Tigers at Landen Stadium last weekend.
Two late goals consigned them to defeat after Nicolai Muller found the back of the net earlier in the contest. They should welcome a couple of futsalroos back to the fray this weekend, while young Thomas Makko could make a return in forthcoming weeks.
Macarthur Rams are just struggling for consistency in recent weeks with two victories in their past five. Last weekend they fell to Rydalmere Lions in a close game at the same venue.
Being handed the captaincy has seen Anthony Proia take his game to a new level, the strikers work rate impressive in that one last weekend despite not finding the back of the net. They will need to turn around a 4-0 defeat in their first meeting.
By Justin Smith
