Round 28 Preview – League One Men’s
There’s just three games to go in the FNSW League One Men’s season and as such, we’re beginning to get a clearer picture at both ends of the table approaching round 28.
Highlighted by a more than worthy match of the round, we also have a few other intriguing games taking place Saturday afternoon. Read our preview below.
Match of the Round: Hakoah FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers; Saturday 10th August, 4:30pm, Hensley Athletic
Our match of the round brings us to Sydney’s East for a top four showdown between Hakoah FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Hensley Athletic.
The hosts have lost their past three games while Mt Druitt Town Rangers have been in mixed form themselves, drawing their last game with Blacktown Spartans.
We’ll start for the visitors Mt Druitt Town Rangers for this one since they are in the driving seat entering the final three rounds. A win here would pretty much guarantee a top two place and put the pressure on Bulls FC Academy in our round 29 match of the round.
Taking a step back from that however, they come in having gained seven points in their past five games including a draw against Blacktown Spartans last weekend. They took the lead twice in that one before a heartbreaking own goal cost them the three points. As always, Andre Martins will be key to their attack while Daniel Wong and Marcus Lal are also crucial influences in their attack.
They face a Hakoah FC side whose season is on the line in this one. Losing their past two games, they have dropped into fourth in the competition standings, a blow particularly considering the lack of form from the top two.
Last weekend, they tasted defeat for just the second time at this venue. In that one against UNSW FC, they looked to have turned the game around with a two goal comeback before conceding late. Cam Philpot scored a brace in the second half so he stands out as a player to watch. The task will be a tough one though with both Phillip Lapanaitis and head coach Craig Sharpley red carded.
One of three big games we have lined up as our match of the round in upcoming weeks, you can catch this one on the FNSW youtube page under the live tab.
Other Feature
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Bankstown City; Saturday 10th August, 5pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
We couldn’t look past this one as a match to feature as Bonnyrigg White Eagles host Bankstown City in a big game in Sydney’s South-West.
The hosts will be hoping a big crowd can help them to an upset, while Bankstown City are still a chance of finishing in the top two.
Yeah, Bonnyrigg White Eagles have struggled for form in recent times with one win in their last five. Sitting in 10th position, the highest they can finish this season looks to be 9th position, last week going down to their 15th loss of the campaign.
That was against SD Raiders in the local derby so there’s every chance they could be up for a response in this one. They do have a positive home record with six wins coming at the venue including a 1-0 win over Dunbar Rovers last week. Stefan Nikolic a player to keep an eye on after scoring in back to back games.
Relying on favours elsewhere isn’t an ideal situation, but Bankstown CIty have snuck into the top two conversation with three straight victories recently. In third position, this will be their toughest test on the run home with a victory potentially cutting into the gap.
Last weekend they secured a narrow victory over a resilient Nepean FC side in their penultimate home game of the season. They will look to improve their efficiency in front of goal as they missed a few chances to make it more comfortable. Rhett Desilva and Jonathan Grozdanovski will lead their charge in this one.
Quickfire Preview
Bulls FC Academy v UNSW FC; Saturday 10th August, 3pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Three straight losses has seen the Bulls FC Academy’s charge to promotion halted. And its noteworthy how they have lost those games conceding 12 goals in the process. So you would suggest the focus will be on their defence ahead of this one, they lost the first meeting between these two 4-3 back in May. Can they recapture their form here?
Their opposition UNSW FC are every chance of adding to their woes here. Four straight wins including a derby victory over Hakoah FC has seen them climb into sixth position. They have scored the second most goals this season (63) behind only their hosts here. Sean Woods scored a brace last week so he get’s our shout out here.
SD Raiders v Inter Lions; Saturday 10th August, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Another form side in the competition are SD Raiders who have won their last seven games. An impressive feat, they secured a derby win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend. Charlie Ragg scored twice and Noah Chianese once in an impressive first half performance which was enough for the three points.
Inter Lions are a team lacking such consistency however with one point in their last two fixtures. That point came in our match of the round last weekend against Dulwich Hill. They will be missing Ollie Green who picked up a red last week, so it will be up to others to step up and find the back of the net.
Dulwich Hill v Rydalmere Lions; Saturday 10th August, 7pm, Arlington Oval
The other team involved in last weeks match of the round, Dulwich Hill picked up another positive result to maintain their position in 13th place. One point away from mathematical safety, it’s about building momentum heading into season 2025. They have scored 41 goals this season so they are a outlier compared to teams around them.
Rydalmere Lions are a team who have been tough to beat in recent times. They are reaping the rewards of a mid-season pre-season with their four game winning run, last week beating second placed Bulls FC Academy. They started that one on fire with three goals before the half hour, Robert Eremugo, Isaac Cunningham and Jihad Alsayed scoring those goals.
Dunbar Rovers v Northern TIgers; Saturday 10th August, 7pm, Fraser Park
With the dream of complete safety beyond them, focus for Dunbar Rovers now turns to securing the relegation play off spot. As such, next weekend’s game against Nepean is the most important fixture remaining. Recently however, they have picked up a couple of points, one more here would do them a world of good.
After a relatively successful three game home stand, Northern Tigers take to the road for their round 28 fixture here. I say relatively cause they suffered a shock defeat to Macarthur Rams last weekend, two Kai Denton goals not enough to secure a result. They have won six games on the road this season.
Macarthur Rams v Blacktown Spartans; Saturday 10th August, 7pm, Lynwood Park
Last weekend was a big one for Macarthur Rams who pretty much secured safety with a victory over Northern Tigers. Now eight points above Dunbar below them, Paul Soravia, Jacob Esposito and Connor Spurway all found the back of the net for the result. If they can repeat that result here, they can start focusing on 2025.
Blacktown Spartans secured a point against Mt Druitt Town Rangers away from home last weekend. It was one of their better games of late as they matched it with their hosts, Joseph Hatewm equalising before an own goal in the final ten saw them level. They will be looking to finish the season on a high with three winable games.
Canterbury Bankstown v Nepean FC; Saturday 10th August, 3pm, Jensen Park
As someone attached to football, there is a sort of helplessness which comes with it on occasion and these two will probably be feeling it at the moment. On the one hand we’ve got Canterbury Bankstown who had a positive first half of the season before their form took a dive, last week snapping a six game losing streak.
On the other hand, you have a Nepean FC side who have struggled pretty much throughout the season. They’ve been in a lot of games, but when you have only scored 22 goals in 26 games, it’s going to be tough going. Their last win almost two months ago now. Can they pull a rabbit out of the hat here?
By Justin Smith
