Round 9 Preview – League One Men’s
Anyone else feel like time is flying by? With round 9 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition ahead of us, we look ahead to a Friday and Saturday night full of action.
With both top two sides laying down markers last weekend, we await a response from sides chasing them. While Blacktown Spartans host our match of the round against SD Raiders.
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans v SD Raiders; Friday 5 April, 8pm, Blacktown Football Park
Our match of the round takes us to Blacktown Football Park as Blacktown Spartans host SD Raiders in Friday night action.
After three games away from home in which they secured a win, a draw and a loss, the Spartans return home where they will play three of their next four. Sitting in 7th position, they could jump into fifth position if results go their way.
Last weekend, they secured a valuable three points from their trip to Cook Park. They were in control for a lot of the fixture but it required an Aedon Kyra intervention in the second half. With Jame Percevski also earning a mention from his coach Ben Rollison. With a victory here, they could move as high as fifth.
They host an SD Raiders side who have had a difficult time of things in recent weeks. With one point in their last three games coming last week, they will want to turn things around in this one.
Against UNSW FC, they put together an improved performance compared to recent weeks creating plenty of chances in a high energy showing. Still, they couldn’t quite find a way to break through, the Raiders only managing six goals in their first eight games. There is plenty of attacking talent in this squad, will they break through this week?
As always you can catch this one on the Football NSW youtube page this Friday night.
Other Features
Bankstown City v Rydalmere Lions; Friday 5 April, 8pm, Jensen Park
We can expect goals when Bankstown City host Rydalmere Lions under the lights at Jensen Park, Friday night.
Bankstown City come into this one having won four of their last five games and will be looking to add another scalp here. Sitting in fifth position, they are six points below the top two after eight rounds.
They prevailed over Dulwich Hill last weekend with a come from behind victory at Jensen Park. The talking points from that one being a wonder goal from Shun Maeta and the scoring form of Mabior Garang. This is another chance to continue their momentum in a match they will be considered favourites for.
If the Rydalmere Lions form line continues however, they could be in for a tough night as the visitors are due for a win. Sitting in ninth position, they have won two of their last five games with the other three being defeats.
In saying that, they were perhaps a tad unlucky last weekend against Hakoah FC at home. Involved in a 5-4 loss, Marcus Lal scored another two goals to add to his tally while Dillan Kahale both scored and got a red card so he’ll be sitting out this one.
Inter Lions v Northern Tigers; Saturday 6 April, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
After a disappointing defeat last week, third placed Northern Tigers face a tough task traveling to Majors Bay Reserve to take on Inter Lions this Saturday night.
We’ll start with Inter Lions however who got their season back on track with a victory over Dunbar Rovers last weekend. Coming into that one with two points from their last three fixtures, it was important they course corrected there.
Key to that win was who came off the bench half way through the second half. Two substitutes in Daniel Georgievski and JJ Morfitis combining for the go ahead second goal. While Fikret Berisha added to his season highlight reel as well.
Beware the wounded animal though which is Northern Tigers. They suffered a hefty defeat last weekend against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at home which was their second straight loss against top two opposition.
Importantly, Shervin Adeli should be back available for selection after representing his country on the Futsal court. Something which will take him out of action again later this month. This one is an important game if they want to keep their top two hopes alive.
Quickfire Previews
Nepean FC v Hakoah FC; Friday 5 April, 8pm, Cook Park (St Mary’s)
It’s a fourth straight home game for Nepean FC who are still chasing their second win of the season. Five of their eight games so far have been at home so they’ll be looking to improve their return here. Last weekend they went down to Blacktown Spartans in a tight game with just the single goal.
No such worries for Hakoah who are sitting in equal third after back-to-back victories in rounds 7 and 8. Last weekend, they featured in the game of the round prevailing 5-4 over Rydalmere Lions. The partnership of Cam Philpot and Nicholas Drummond leading their attack is worth watching here.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Canterbury Bankstown; Saturday 6 April, 7pm, Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers released their shackles last weekend with a thumping victory over Northern Tigers away from home. Yep, their second half performance sent out a statement to the competition with John Roberts, Garang Awac and Andre Martins all scoring in the second half.
Facing the top two sides in as many weeks, Canterbury Bankstown will want to show improvement in this one. They were on the wrong side of a 6-1 scoreline last weekend against Bulls FC Academy with a Christopher Katsaros goal after the half hour a rare bright spot.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Bulls FC Academy; Saturday 6 April, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Returning home for the first time this season, Bonnyrigg White Eagles come into their round 19 fixture on the back of two victories over Nepean and Macarthur Rams. Last weekend against the Rams, they were tested throughout but got the victory through goals to Mason Versi and Christian Torrelli.
Their opposition Bulls FC Academy put together a stunning display in our match of the round last weekend. Putting six past Canterbury Bankstown, there were plenty of individual performances which caught the eye. Look out for Flynn Madden and Lachlan Macdonald in this one.
Dulwich Hill v Dunbar Rovers; Saturday 6 April, 7pm, Arlington Oval
It may be too early to refer to this as a genuine six pointer at the bottom but these two sides will be desperate to claim a second victory of the season at Arlington Oval.
Dulwich Hill once again came up short in their round eight fixture with Bankstown City last Monday. Taking the lead in the second half, they couldn’t hold the Lions out with some defensive mistakes costing them dearly.
While their opponents Dunbar Rovers have had the more recent joy with a round six victory, they will be keen to give themselves a buffer here. Last weekend they couldn’t quite match it with Inter Lions despite the efforts of Daisuke Yamaguchi in particular.
UNSW FC v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 6 April, 7pm, The Village Green
UNSW return home to the venue where their three victories have come in round nine action. Last weekend they drew with SD Raiders last weekend on the road at Valentine Sports Park. In that one, they were made to work hard for their point for their second clean sheet of the season.
There’s definitely reason to be encouraged for a Macarthur Rams perspective after last weekend. Despite coming away with nothing against Bonnyrigg, they were good value for something. They have since made a coaching change with the club parting ways with Darren Jones.
By Justin Smith
