Round 1 Preview – League One Men’s
A new season brings a new look to the FNSW League One Men’s competition with it all kicking off this Friday night.
Round One kicks off with a bang with a match of the round between two contenders while we also feature a clash between our two promoted sides and Bankstown City against Inter Lions.
Match of the Round: Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Bonnyrigg White Eagles; Sunday 18 February, 6pm, Popondetta Park
No room to start slowly here! Two competition favourites leading into the season meet this Sunday evening when Mt Druitt Town Rangers host Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Popondetta Park.
It’s the first competitive meeting between the two sides in recent memory though they will be familiar with each other having met in preseason.
Let’s start with the side returning to the division after a few years in the top tier in Mt Druitt Town Rangers. Being a relegated side, they will be keen to start in good fashion to put any mental scars from 2023 to bed.
Andy Montgomery leads the coaching team for the season, a coach who led Blacktown Spartans to a midtable finish in 2022. While on the field, this game could see Tom Whiteside face his former club. While John Roberts, Jordan Gomez and Garang Awac could all play their first game back for the side.
Like their opponents, it will be equally as important for Bonnyrigg White Eagles to get a good start this season. They were denied a chance to get to a playoff against this same opposition in heartbreaking fashion on the last day.
Since then, they have strengthened their defence while adding some pace up front. Stefan Dubocanin and Nic Petrillo will be their centre defensive partnership. While they also brought in Jordan Metcalfe, Daniel Bittar and Christian Torrelli in attack, certainly a trio who will cause defenses worry in forthcoming weeks.
Reminder that you can catch this one on the Football NSW YouTube channel this Sunday evening.
Season Openers:
Nepean FC v UNSW FC; Friday 16 February, 8:00pm, Cook Park (St Mary’s)
Newly promoted Nepean FC and UNSW FC kick off their seasons in one of two season openers, Friday night.
The hosts enter the division after winning the promotion/relegation playoff against Mounties Wanderers in September last season. They are under no illusions of the challenge that awaits them in League One and a win here could well prove important in kickstarting their season.
If you aren’t familiar with Steve Appleby and his Nepean side. Lachlan Sepping is a player to watch. While of the new recruits, goalkeeper Griffin Barry has had a good off-season impressing the coaching staff.
They face visitiors UNSW FC, who bill be on a high after victory over Sydney University in the Kennard Cup last Sunday. The students finished League Two last season five points clear of their opposition this weekend with 19 wins across the season.
Since then, they have added some quality to their side with plenty of experience in the division. Aside from those we mentioned in the season preview, Kevin Lopes is a potential key in this one after scoring 23 goals last season.
Bankstown City FC v Inter Lions FC; Friday 16 February, 8:00pm, Jensen Park
Not to be outdone on Friday night, Bankstown City host Inter Lions in another highly anticipated meeting.
Bankstown City have turned plenty of heads in the preseason with some aggressive recruitment. They finished 13th last season with just one win in their final five games of the season. As such, the coaching staff made changes looking to turn the side into contenders.
Headlining their recruitment is the pickup of four players from Sydney United 58 including Chris Payne and Devante Clut. Following their recent Macedonian Cup triumph however, Sash Tirovski suffered a blow as Payne has been ruled out for up to a month due to injury. Though players have come in from far and wide across the state. They won both games against Inter Lions last season.
In contrast to their hosts on this occasion, Inter Lions have had a quieter off-season. The Lions coming into this one after a better season last time out with a sixth placed finish, just six points behind the top two.
As such, there hasn’t been that much change in the playing ranks with Jordan Morfitis and Ahmed Taleb coming into the squad as their major signings. There’s also the motivation of bouncing back from two defeats to this opponent last season.
Quickfire preview of Saturday’s action:
Bulls FC Academy v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 17 February, 7pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Potentially the pick of the Saturday action, Bulls FC Academy host Macarthur Rams in a first ever meeting between the two and a local derby of sorts.
There will be no shortage of feeling in this one and there will be plenty of promising youth on show. Who will earn bragging rights in this local rivalry?
Macarthur FC are riding high in the A-League Men’s so expect some young boys to be dropped for this clash as coach Craig Noone hope to kick off the year on the right foot.
SD Raiders v Canterbury Bankstown; Saturday 17 February, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
There will be a familiar face in the SD Raiders squad ahead of this one. Jairo Torne Fernandez potentially lining up against his former team. The Raiders were impressive in 2023 and will look to carry that momentum into this one.
Canterbury Bankstown on the other hand have undergone a huge rebuild in the offseason. Success in the early part of their season could be on the back of their 7 returning players.
Blacktown Spartans v Dulwich Hill; Saturday 17 February, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
It’s been a different kind of pre-season for Blacktown Spartans with minimal change on the coaching and playing front. Focusing on boosting their attack, look out for Aedon Kyra, Sulleyman Bangura and James Demetriou in this on
Having survived in the division last season, Dulwich Hill have strengthened across the board approaching this one. Plenty of league one experience amongst the new recruits, they’re set for a better showing in 2024.
Northern Tigers v Rydalmere Lions; Saturday 17 February, 6:30pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Northern Tigers will surely be a more consistent side in 2024 after a disappointing finish last time out. They welcome back a couple of familiar names to the squad in Hiyori Kawaguchi and Ally “David Silva” Brown.
They will be facing a new look Rydalmere Lions side with plenty of talent from academies and abroad. A full pre-season under the guidance of Anthony Harb, you would suggest that will benefit them in 2024.
Dunbar Rovers v Hakoah Sydney City East; Saturday 17 February, 7pm, Fraser Park
Rounding off our quickfire section is the meeting between Dunbar Rovers and Hakoah FC. Both these sides have had relatively quiet off seasons in terms of player turnover so there’s potential to start strong.
Not far between the two geographically, it could be as close on the scoreboard though Hakoah will be favourites.
By Justin Smith
