Round 27 Preview – League One Men’s
The FNSW League One Men’s competition enters its final month with the premiership race taking the attention heading into round 27.
Taking a break from that however, our match of the round sees two sides who have turned a corner recently in Dulwich Hill and Inter Lions. While SD Raiders could do Mt Druitt Town Rangers a favour elsewhere.
That and more in our preview below.
Match of the Round: Dulwich Hill v Inter Lions; Saturday 3rd August, 7pm, Arlington Oval
Two sides who have found some form late in the season face off as Dulwich Hill host Inter Lions at Arlington Oval.
This may have been scheduled prior to such form though but you won’t find the hosts complaining after two wins in their past three games. While Inter Lions have matched the record off the hosts despite last weeks defeat to Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
The hosts have found form when they needed it most with two wins in their last three games including a victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend. Now sitting in 13th position on 22 points, a result here would almost guarantee another season in league one for Dulwich Hill.
Two things stand out as important in this change of form. One being the collective attitude of the players who have fought hard for each other and secondly, the efforts of Tony Valavanis’ coaching staff who have stepped up in his absence. On the park, keep an eye out for James Duvcevski leading their defence and Jake Bradshaw who was their best last weekend.
Inter Lions do look to be a tough ask though after a couple of impressive results in their last three games. They sit smack bang in mid-table with a satisfying record of ten wins and ten losses across their first 25 games this season.
Last weekend proved a bridge to far for them however going down to Mt Druitt Town Rangers by a three goal margin. Nicholas Paras scored an early goal for them in that one before the Town Rangers came back with a vengeance. Look out for Paras alongside Owen Duke and Giuseppe Tilio who loom as their attacking threats here.
Other Features
Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Blacktown Spartans; Saturday 3rd August, 7pm, Popondetta Park
Competition leaders Mt Druitt Town Rangers host an inconsistent Blacktown Spartans in our second feature of the weekend.
The hosts won their round 26 games against Inter Lions to jump Bulls FC Academy, while Blacktown Spartans copped another heavy defeat at the hands of Rydalmere Lions.
Returning home after taking two wins from three straight away games, Mt Druitt Town Rangers are four games away from taking the title in 2024. Overtaking their main rivals Bulls FC Academy with a win over Inter Lions, they could be eying this as a chance to pull away ahead of their meeting in round 29.
Anyway back to last weekend, it was the efforts of Marcus Lal on starting debut and Jude Rankin which impressed coach Andy Montgomery. Further evidence of their willingness to give young players their opportunity, they could well feature again this weekend.
They face a club who Andy Montgomery in particular will know well in the Blacktown Spartans. It’s been a mixed couple of games for Blacktown Spartans who have lost two games heavily with a good win over Northern Tigers in between.
Last weekend was one to forget with one of their worst showings of the season against Rydalmere Lions. They conceded four goals in the second half as they were chasing the game, with their sole goal coming through Daniel Kraljevic. A chance to bounce back from that defeat awaits them, they went down to the Town Rangers last time the two sides met.
Quickfire Previews
Hakoah FC v UNSW FC; Saturday 3rd August, 4:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
One point in their last two fixtures has the top two hopes of Hakoah FC hanging by a thread. Last weekend they tasted defeat at the hands of Bankstown CIty away from home, Samuel Young putting them ahead before things took a turn. Home comforts will be welcome though as they have only dropped points in three of their thirteen home games.
UNSW will be determined to spoil their party though in this Eastern Suburbs derby. They took out the first meeting between the two back in April and come into this one on the back of three straight wins. Last weekend they beat Canterbury Bankstown convincingly with Jack Fulton, Lachlan Hughes and Mitchell Mattison all scoring.
Previous Meeting: UNSW FC 2-0 Hakoah FC
Bankstown City v Nepean FC; Saturday 3rd August, 5pm, Jensen Park
Unbeaten in their last five games, Bankstown City have pegged back the gap to Hakoah above them to two points. Last weekend they came from behind to get the three points against Hakoah at home. Chris Payne scored the equaliser before Jonathan Grozdanovski scored the winner. Jeffrey Issa also playing a key role in the win.
Nepean FC’s tough run continued with a defeat to Northern Tigers last weekend. A frustrating night which saw two players and a member of the coaching staff see red, it won’t be an easy assignment this weekend against an in form side. Times running out for Nepean, can they snatch a result here?
Previous Meeting: Nepean FC 0-1 Bankstown City
Rydalmere Lions v Bulls FC Academy; Saturday 3rd August, 5pm, Rydalmere Park
In season best form, Rydalmere Lions are every chance of scoring an upset in this one. Yes, three straight wins has seen them move well clear of danger, last weekend toppling Blacktown Spartans in a stunning 6-1 result. Playing their best football of the season, five goal scorers found the back of the net including Isaac Cunningham, Luca Kmet and Lachlan Lal.
This looms as an important game for Bulls FC Academy after two straight losses. Conceding seven goals while scoring none in return, they copped their heaviest defeat last weekend against SD Raiders at home. In positive news however, Dean Bosnjak and Flynn Madden both made an appearance in the Australia Cup midweek.
Previous Meeting: Bulls FC Academy 3-0 Rydalmere Lions
Northern Tigers v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 3rd August, 6:30pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Another side in good form heading into this weekend, Northern Tigers have three wins in their last four games. Last weekend, they scored four against Nepean FC at home. Kai Denton, Ally Brown and Hiyori Kawaguchi scored their first three goals. While a special mention should go to Christian Tierney who scored his first goal for the club and Tali Dorigo who picked up the clubs player of the match.
Macarthur Rams picked up an important point last weekend against Dunbar Rovers. Sitting six points ahead of Dunbar below them, they will need a positive result or two in their final four games to secure safety. Emmanuel Gonzalez and goalkeeper Seiya Miyamoto stand out as important players in their quest to remain in the league
Previous Meeting: Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-1 SD Raiders
SD Raiders v Bonnyrigg White Eagles; Saturday 3rd August, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
It’s probably a bit unfair on the SD Raiders to call last weekends win over Bulls FC Academy a complete shock. In form reminiscent of their finish to last season, they scored four to defeat the then competition leaders. Noah Chianese was the star in that one with a hat-trick to overcome the academy side, so look out for him here.
Their opponents Bonnyrigg White Eagles secured a narrow victory over Dunbar Rovers during the week. That win halted a four game run without a win leading into it. They will gain confidence approaching this one, a game they should have no problems motivating themselves for as they seek to do the season double over the Raiders in 2024.
Previous Meeting: Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-1 SD Raiders
Dunbar Rovers v Canterbury Bankstown; Saturday 3rd August, 7pm, Fraser Park
If Dunbar Rovers want to avoid a playoff at the end of the season, this is an important game for them. They failed to take points home from their game in hand midweek against Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Julian Dal Blanco has recently come into the club while Jack Walbridge has started the past couple of games in goal.
Canterbury Bankstown have had a tough run in recent times losing their last six games. Clear of relegation peril, their season has stagnated as they’ve dropped down the table including a loss last weekend against UNSW FC. Taiga Kawano broke a scoring drought from Wally Savour’s side and they will see this as a chance to bounce back.
Previous Meeting: Canterbury Bankstown 1-0 Dunbar Rovers
By Justin Smith
