Round 25 Preview – League One Men’s
Six weeks to go, the FNSW League One Men’s competition is entering the home straight with round 25 action ahead of us this weekend.
Fitting that our match of the round then is a true six pointer! While elsewhere, Bulls FC Academy and Mt Druitt Town Rangers will continue their charge towards a top two position.
Match of the Round: Nepean FC v Dulwich Hill; Friday 19th July, 8pm, Cook Park (St Marys)
Our match of the round is a true six pointer at the bottom with Nepean FC hosting Dulwich Hill at Cook Park in Sydney’s West.
It’s been a tough period of the season for Nepean FC who have suffered five straight defeats, while Dulwich Hill were dragged into the fight when they suffered a loss to Dunbar Rovers last weekend.
Of course this one is important for both sides but given home advantage, you could well make a case Nepean FC need this result more. On a five game losing run, this and the game against Dunbar Rovers later this season could well decide their season.
Easier said than done, but it is in attack where Nepean FC are struggling at the moment or any time Lachlan Sepping hasn’t featured. Just two goals coming in the five fixtures without him in the team (coincidentally both those goals coming in the reverse fixture of this one). So it’s up to the likes of Matthew Crossley, Harrison Fox and Jack Hoban to step up here.
Their opponents Dulwich Hill are in a slightly better position on the table and points wise across their previous five games. On 16 points, they hold a four point advantage over their opponents though they will not want to be dragged into the playoff position.
Last weekend was a tough one though for Tony Valavanis’ side as they went down to Dunbar Rovers away from home. The big news from that one being the two red cards they picked up chasing the game, so they’ll be without Jamison Power and Daniel Fornito for this one.
Not enough for you? We’ve also add a marquee commentator into the mix in Eric Subijano who is gracing us with his annual league one commentary gig. You can catch on the Football NSW youtube page under the live tab.
Other Features
UNSW FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers; Saturday 20th July, 5pm, The Village Green
Our second feature match this weekend sees UNSW FC host Mt Druitt Town Rangers at the Village Green, this Saturday evening.
A fixture which could be classified as a potential upset, the hosts won their last game against Macarthur Rams while Mt Druitt Town Rangers secured an important three points against Canterbury Bankstown.
Returning to winning ways last weekend, UNSW FC secured their 10th victory of the season. Sitting in mid-table, it was an important win after struggling to find the back of the net the two weeks prior against SD Raiders and Blacktown Spartans.
Back to the Rams game, they were convincing throughout in claiming the three points. Jack Fulton played a key role while Jeremy Cox and Gabriel Lopez also found the back of the net. Last weekend also saw Alex Malfara start his first game for the club.
Their opponents Mt Druitt Town Rangers also bounced back from a round 23 defeat with a win over the Berries. In second spot, they will aim to maintain pressure on Bulls FC Academy with a victory here after losing the competition lead last weekend.
And that game against the Berries went exactly to plan, an early Daniel Wong goal giving them something to defend before Malcom Ward added a second goal late on. While Dylan Niski also deserves some love for saving a first half penalty save. They won the reverse fixture with a 5-3 win back in round 10.
Quickfire Previews
Canterbury Bankstown v Bankstown City; Saturday 20th July, 5pm, Jensen Park
Welcoming back a few names to the fray couldn’t quite help Canterbury Bankstown pick up a result last weekend against Mt Druitt Town Rangers. Sitting in 11th on 29 points, they currently sit in lower mid-table. So perhaps a game against neighbors Bankstown City could be the spark needed for them to finish the season well? We’ll find out, Saturday night.
Back to back draws has seen Bankstown City drop off the top two race with six games to go. To borrow an F1 term, they are sitting outside of DRS range on the teams above while holding a comfortable lead of teams behind them. Last weekend they drew with Rydalmere Lions. Vlado Suput putting them ahead before they conceded in the second half. Can a derby win help them here?
Previous Meeting: Bankstown City 1-1 Canterbury Bankstown
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Hakoah FC; Saturday 20th July, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
The fixtures continue to come around quickly for Bonnyrigg White Eagles who featured in midweek action against Inter Lions. It’s best not to dwell on that one though due to it being an ugly result. Looking back to the Bulls game last weekend, they did have their moments with Stefan Nikolic scoring a goal early in the second half. Can they return to form here?
Determined to continue keeping the top two honest for the rest of the season, Hakoah FC picked up their second straight win against Nepean FC last weekend. Trailing the Town Rangers above them, Cam Philpot played an important role in that victory while Hristopher Neskovski scored his first goal for the club. Can they keep the pressure on the top two with three points here?
Previous Meeting: Hakoah FC 3-0 Bonnyrigg White Eagles
SD Raiders v Dunbar Rovers; Saturday 20th July, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
if we introduced a belt to the league akin to boxing at the start of the 2023 season in which you have to beat the holder to take it off them, SD Raiders would be current holders coming into this game. Anyway where was I… SD Raiders picked up a big 5-0 win last weekend over Blacktown Spartans. They have found their way in front of goal scoring 13 goals in their last four, Noah Chianese scoring two against the Spartans.
Dunbar Rovers are a trickier looking prospect compared to a couple of weeks ago though with a round 24 win over Dulwich Hill lifting them off the bottom. Samuel Tzanakes stood out with a brace joined by Mondo Kagami on the score sheet. With two of their rivals facing each other elsewhere, this along with a midweek fixture tonight presents a big opportunity.
Previous Meeting: Dunbar Rovers 1-2 SD Raiders
Blacktown Spartans v Northern Tigers; Saturday 20th July, 7pm, Blacktown Football Park
Safe to say that last weekend was one to forget for Blacktown Spartans. Five goals down at half-time, the game was beyond them despite a spirited second half showing. The question now becomes where that was just a blip or something more serious with six games remaining. They have won four of their last five games at their home venue.
Won’t be easy though against a Northern Tigers side who have won two of their last three games. Back in form, they overcame Inter Lions at home last weekend. A key feature in that one being the combination of Olivier Beltran-Woodward and Kai Denton who both scored braces and assisted each others goals.
Previous Meeting: Northern Tigers 0-1 Blacktown Spartans
Inter Lions v Bulls FC Academy; Saturday 20th July, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions roared to a 5-0 victory midweek over Bonnyrigg White Eagles away from home. It was a result which came from pretty much nowhere after one point from their previous two games. As such, confidence could be high heading into this one with nothing to lose. They will be keen to get some revenge after the first meeting between the two.
Bulls FC Academy come into this one after a big victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles in our match of the round last weekend. Stealing the show in that one was Flynn Madden with a brace in the first half. He was joined by Dean Bosnjak and Federico Gagliano who also were impressive in the win. Seven wins in a row, they will be favourites for this one.
Previous Meeting: Bulls FC Academy 6-0 Inter Lions.
Macarthur Rams v Rydalmere Lions; Saturday 20th July, 7pm, Lynwood Park
Something has to give as two out of form sides meet in this one. Macarthur Rams for their part come in with one draw to show for their last five games. Not out of danger yet, this presents a good opportunity to turn things around. Look out for Emmanuel Gonzalez in this one who scored a brace against UNSW last weekend in a back and forth first half.
It’s a busy week for Rydalmere Lions who featured in midweek action this week against Dunbar Rovers. Prior to that, they broke a losing run with a draw against Bankstown City. Behind at the break, Robert Eremugo scored a second half goal to rescue a point. They will have to turn around a 2-1 defeat in the first meeting between the two however.
Previous Meeting: Rydalmere Lions 1-2 Macarthur Rams
By Justin Smith
