Round 28 Preview – League One Men’s
With three weeks to go, we’re well into crunch time in the FNSW League One Men’s competition as Round 28 approaches this weekend.
With the action spread across four days, our match of the round sees Australia Cup representatives Inter Lions host competition leaders Bonnyrigg White Eagles next Tuesday.
Let’s take a look ahead to the action.
Match of the Round: Inter Lions FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC; Tuesday 15 August, 7:30pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Another big match of the round awaits us as Inter Lions host Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Majors Bay Reserve, Tuesday night.
Inter Lions have been in good form recently, beating Blacktown Spartans 2-1 this past weekend. While Bonnyrigg White Eagles came away with a 2-1 victory over Bankstown City in their derby.
This game comes just days after Inter Lions make an historic Australia Cup debut against Hellenic Athletic, Thursday night. Prior to that, they come into this in good form and have the chance to impact the title race in this one.
Last weekend, they put in an impressive performance in their victory over Blacktown Spartans away from home not giving the hosts the chance to get into the game. There’s plenty to look out for across the pitch. If they need any extra motivation ahead of this one, they only have to look back to the previous meeting between these two. Best of luck in the cup guys!
A derby win against Bankstown City and results elsewhere going in their favour. Last weekend couldn’t have gone any better for Bonnyrigg White Eagles and their premiership hopes. Now they have three games to hold onto their advantage and potential automatic promotion to the top tier.
Winning five of their last six games, there’s no reason not to believe they can get the job done in this one. However, in a side who haven’t scored many in recent weeks, the absence of Emmanuel Gonzalez could be felt after a red card last weekend. Zac Sfiligoi is gaining the reputation of scoring important goals so watch out for him in this one.
Central Coast United FC v St George FC; Saturday 12 August, 2:30pm, Pluim Park
St George FC will be wanting to maintain the pressure on the top two when they take to the road to face Central Coast United.
The Saints secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hills United last weekend, while Central Coast United went down narrowly to Canterbury Bankstown.
Let’s change things up and start with the visitors here, St George FC kept their promotion hopes alive with their victory last weekend. Proving to be the thorn in Hills United’s side, they have the chance to reduce the points gap to three if results go there way, Saturday afternoon.
Plenty to like about their showing last weekend, Troy Danaskos was influential in the victory. While Jesse Spang has proven to be a good pick up in the striker position. It’s away from home where they have “struggled” though with their record of 5-4-4 not bad, but it could be better.
The pressure is off Central Coast United who are all but confirmed for the bottom of the table. There’s been a sense of inevitability regarding their fate and even with three victories in their last three, they would need to overturn a 23-goal deficit to 15th-placed Mounties.
As such, can we expect the shackles being released in the final three games? One can hope so, there’s certainly been some fight in the Pirates in recent times just unfortunately the quality hasn’t been there.
SD Raiders FC v Dulwich Hill FC; Saturday 12 August, 2:30pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Both sides head into this one in reasonable form as SD Raiders welcome Dulwich Hill to Ernie Smith Reserve.
Edging out Mounties Wanderers 3-2 last weekend SD Raiders claimed their 14th win of the season. While Dulwich Hill secured a late win over Macarthur Rams at Arlington oval.
The hosts SD Raiders have recovered from their midseason dip in form with three wins in their last five. Backing up from a 6-0 victory over Central Coast United the week before, they extended Mounties Wanderers woes.
Their form is however more mixed at home with two draws and two defeats in their last four home games, so they’ll want to set that right here. Sebastian Malfara and Charlie Ragg are the players to watch for them in this one.
Dulwich Hill are almost the complete opposite when it comes to their home and away form. At home they have taken a respectable 23 points this season which leaves them with just 9 points away from home (the second worst in this competition).
Indeed, that’s where the next step lies for Tony Valavanis and his side who will come into this one on cloud nine after last weekend. Yes, remember the name Liam Spiropoulos who scored an injury time winner, the first of many, I’m sure.
Mounties Wanderers FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 12 August, 2:30pm, Cook Park
Running out of chances, Mounties Wanderers need a win here when they take on Hakoah FC at Cook Park, Saturday afternoon.
The Wanderers couldn’t make it two wins in a row last weekend going down to SD Raiders 3-2. While Hakoah FC stole a point from Dunbar Rovers in a 2-2 draw.
As it stands, Mounties Wanderers need five points from their remaining three games to secure safety. However, a victory here could shake things up at the bottom of the table with not even their opponents safe.
Last weekend, they did a good job at hanging in with their more fancied opponents in SD Raiders without being able to draw level. Andrew Holder and Anthony Vastag scored in that one and will be looking to do so again here.
Another weekend of wondering how Hakoah FC find themselves in 13th position after 27 rounds. Still not safe, a loss here could see the hosts bring themselves to within four points of their opponents.
Last weekend, they rescued a crucial point from their game with Dunbar Rovers in 14th position. Cam Philpot scoring a big goal in injury time. They have three previous away victories in 2023, hoping to add a fourth here.
Hills United FC v Canterbury Bankstown FC; Saturday 12 August, 2:30pm, Landen Stadium
An important game for Hills United awaits us as they host Canterbury Bankstown at Landen Stadium this weekend.
They were second best against St George FC last week going down 2-0, while Canterbury Bankstown edged out Central Coast United.
The loss last weekend meant that Hills United lost their competition lead for the first time in a while. Sitting on 57 points after 27 games, they sit comfortably in second though St George could cause them a nervy finish if they weren’t to win here.
This is a different proposition though with the hosts having a superb record at home this season, dropping just the one game. They have been down on numbers recently though with plenty of rotation going on in Luke Casserly’s squad. You’d back them to pick up the three points here though.
Canterbury Bankstown will be no pushovers though, the Berries impressive throughout the campaign currently sitting in 4th position (the best of the promoted sides). Last week claiming their 15th win of the season.
And in terms of defence, this game looks even closer with the visitors only conceding one more goal this season than their hosts including 10 clean sheets. They took a point from their previous meeting with Hills United so whose to write them off here?
Bankstown City FC v Dunbar Rovers FC; Sunday 13 August, 3pm, Jensen Park
A rare Sunday fixture awaits us as Dunbar Rovers look to cement their place in the division traveling to take on Bankstown City at Jensen Park.
The visitors were denied a crucial three points by Hakoah FC last weekend, while Bankstown City went down to Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
It’s family day at Jensen Park and Bankstown City will be looking to for a victory to mark it this Sunday afternoon. Sitting in 11th, a result here would certainly assure them of a spot in the league next season.
Last weekend, they were able to give Bonnyrigg White Eagles a scare in their derby fixture. However, a red card for their hosts made it more difficult for them. Chasing their 9th victory of the season, they’ll look to entertain the crowd in this one.
How quickly can they shake off last week’s disappointment? That’s the question surrounding Dunbar Rovers ahead of this one. Yeah, last weeks late concession was a blow as we could well be talking about a side all but safe in the division.
Anyway, shaking that off, they are in pretty good form as they chase survival with two victories and a draw in their past four games. Olivier Beltran-Woodward is providing a consistent goal threat for the Rovers as they look to ensure safety.
Macarthur Rams FC v Northern Tigers FC; Tuesday 15 August, 7:30pm, Lynwood Park
Macarthur Rams play host to a surging Northern Tigers outfit in Sydney’s South-West, Tuesday night.
The Rams were left heartbroken by 2-1 defeat to Dulwich Hill last weekend, while Northern Tigers prevailed over Rydalmere Lions.
Inspired by defeat? Last weekend was a tough one to take for Macarthur Rams who came away nothing away at Dulwich Hill. The Rams sitting on 31 points are probably safe but will be looking for an insurance point or three in this one.
19 of their 31 points have come at home this season and they have done well to tighten up their defense in recent weeks after a hefty defeat a few weeks ago. Seiya Miyamoto has been in good form in goal so he will play an important part here.
Yes, Miyamoto can certainly expect to be busy in this one. Why? Cause Northern Tigers are the league’s top scorers with 59 goals this season. Indeed, in six of their last ten games they have scored more than three goals, so expect entertainment here.
Last weekend they recovered from being 1-0 down and a couple of early substitutes down to injuries, which is a good point to wish Travis Oughtred the best in his recovery. While Luca Kmet, Charles Abou Serhal and Cole Mutton found the back of the net in that one.
Rydalmere Lions FC v Blacktown Spartans FC; Tuesday 15 August, 8pm, Rydalmere Park
Winless in their last five games, Rydalmere Lions have a chance at redemption when they host Blacktown Spartans.
Another close defeat, Rydalmere lost 3-2 to Northern Tigers last weekend, while the Spartans had a night to forget against Inter Lions.
Six points separate these two sides in 8th and 9th position on the table with Rydalmere Lions looking to half that deficit. However, they will have to overturn a rough run of form which has seen them pick up two points in five games.
Last weekend, they nearly took an unlikely point from their match with Northern Tigers. They scored twice in the second half through Mitchell Gibbs and Ahmad Taleb. Taleb’s goal coming after his side were reduced to ten on the night.
Their visitors Blacktown Spartans are in slightly better form despite two losses in their most recent couple of games. On 39 points after 27 rounds, they find themselves in clear air above this week’s opposition while four points behind Inter Lions.
Last weekend was one to forget for the Spartans, a loss to Inter Lions where they simply didn’t show up. They will be without captain Peter Pelekanos in this one who saw red. Shoutout to Sallu Kamara though, who scored his first goal for the club.
By Justin Smith
