Round 30 Review – League One Men’s
After 30 rounds and 240 games, the Football NSW League One Men’s competition finally saw a champion crowned and playoff positions sorted.
Subject to eligibility of course, Mt Druitt Town Rangers booked their ticket back to NPL football, while Bulls FC Academy will feature in the NPL/League One playoff and Nepean FC in the League One/League Two playoff. With Dunbar Rovers going down to League Two. Check out review below.
Match of the Round: Bulls FC Academy v Hakoah FC
Hakoah FC sent out captain Yianni Spyrakis a winner with a 3-1 victory over Bulls FC Academy at Sydney United Sports Centre.
They took control with two first half goals before seeing the result out. The beaten academy side set to feature in a promotion/relegation playoff some time next week.
On a warm afternoon in Sydney’s South-West, both sides were forced to be a bit smarter in applying pressure on the ball in the early stages.
The first chance of the game coming through a direct break down the Bulls FC Academy left hand side. A long ball headed into the path of Ethan De Bono whose powerful effort skidded across goal after eight or so minutes.
Indeed it was Bulls who settled the quicker of the two, another big chance coming before the quarter hour. De Bono sending William Kounnas through in behind the Hakoah defence. His low shot saved by Nikolas Loe in goal.
The games pattern set with the hosts enjoying the lions share of possession, while Hakoah looked to use the speed of Ginjira Chiba in particular in transition. With George Tuson-Firth having their best opportunity after cutting in off the right after the 25th minute.
Tuson-Firth giving the visitors the lead just after the half hour. Tuson-Firth exchanging passes with Cam Philpot before his left footed strike snuck in at the near post past Alexander Robinson. The visitors beginning to apply their own pressure in the second quarter of this one.
Hakoah then adding another goal minutes later (and what a goal it was), Chiba the provider of this one with a lay off for Samuel Young who rifled it home with his right foot into the bottom left.
In need of a goal before the break, Bulls FC Academy then pulled something out of the hat against the run of play. A well worked move seeing Will Mckay step up with a ball across the face for William Kounnas to finish with a tap in from close range.
Despite that concession, Hakoah started the second half well with Cam Philpot unfortunately not making enough contact with a shot from inside the area. The opportunity arising when a Tuson-Firth shot was deflected.
Hakoah restoring their two goal buffer before the hour mark. The retiring Yianni Spyrakis setting in motion a move with a cross-field ball which saw Ginjiro Chiba square the ball to Behram Ramandi who applied a confident finish with his left foot.
Having then upped the urgency, Michael Krslovic was next to see his first time effort palmed away by Nikolas Loe. That shot soon followed by a Ante Vojvodic shot which flew over the bar from a Flynn Madden corner.
The game petering out despite the hosts best efforts with Hakoah emerging deserved winners. A special mention going to Yianni Spyrakis who played his last game in this one.
Bulls FC Academy 1 (Kounnas 45+1’)
Hakoah FC 3 (Tuson-Firth 33’, Young 39’, Ramandi 59’)
Elsewhere
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 6-1 Dunbar Rovers
Going up in style! Mt Druitt Town Rangers put six goals past Dunbar Rovers to kick off their celebrations at Popondetta Park.
With the match of the round result going their way earlier in the day, the pressure was off the hosts and they were in fine form in front of goal. While the result also confirmed the worst for Dunbar Rovers who drop down to League Two subject to eligibility.
They took the lead after 18 minutes through a Henry Davies goal before Dunbar hit back six minutes later through Cain Bartolomei.
However the visitors couldn’t quite keep pace with the hosts in the second half with Mt Druitt scoring five further goals. Andre Martins adding their second after the hour before Adrian Delmoni made it three after the 70th minute. John Roberts, Daniel Wong and Cooper Coskerie completing the rout with further goals.
Worthy champions, coach Andy Montgomery wanted to give a big shout out to captain Tom Whiteside who finished his career on a high in this one.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 6 (Davies 18’, Martins 63’, Delmoni 70’, Roberts 77’, Wong 82’, Coskerie 84’)
Dunbar Rovers 1 (Bartollomei 24’)
Rydalmere Lions 0-1 Nepean FC
Nepean FC confirmed their spot in the post season playoff securing a big 1-0 win away from home against Rydalmere Lions.
An impressive scalp, the goal that secured their place in the playoff came from club favourite Jack Hoban early in the second half. The win halting Rydalmere Lions winning run at six games.
Heading into the fixture knowing they had to match of better the result of Dunbar elsewhere, the visitors were able to keep a clean sheet against a side in fine form. The key moment in this one coming early in the second half with Hoban’s goal coming in the 51st minute much to the delight of those associated with the club.
Nepean holding on for the victory, they will take on Mounties Wanderers in a home and away playoff post season. While Rydalmere Lions finish in a very respectable 9th position after a slow start to the season.
Rydalmere Lions 0
Nepean FC 1 (Hoban 51’)
Bankstown City 4-0 Macarthur Rams
Bankstown City sent out Chris Payne the right way with a 4-0 victory over Macarthur Rams at Jensen Park, Saturday evening.
Scoring a hat-trick in his final game, Payne stole the show scoring the first, second and fourth goals in the victory over the Rams.
After a presentation to the striker pre-match, the hosts found their opener before ten minutes. Payne stepping up to convert well hit free-kick into the back of the net. A lead which stood until half time with the hosts missing a chance to double their advantage from the spot.
Bankstown rounding out the win in the second half with Chris Payne scoring another two goals to complete his hat-trick whilst being joined by Jonathan Grozdanovski on the score sheet.
Plenty of what ifs to ponder for Bankstown City who finished just a point off a play off position, while Macarthur Rams will be happy to see the end of the season after finishing in 14th with just 6 wins.
Bankstown City 4 (Payne 9’ 47’ 89’, Grozdanovski 89’)
Macarthur Rams 0
Northern Tigers 2-1 SD Raiders
Northern Tigers secured a hard fought victory over SD Raiders to round out their season at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
There wasn’t much between these two sides in this one with the hosts walking away with the three points courtesy of Jakub Prajza second half goal.
This one could have been anything with the chances flowing at either end throughout the first half in particular. SD Raiders taking the lead before the 40th minute through Sebastian Malfara for his third goal of the campaign.
A lead which didn’t last till half time with the hosts hitting back, Olivier Beltran-Woodward on the spot to convert from close rannge after a Kai Denton miss hit shot fell to him.
Their second goal coming through Jakub Prajza, the midfielder driving forward before rolling it into the bottom right after shaping for his shot left, fooling the keeper in the process. The hosts holding on despite being under significant pressure late.
Northern Tigers 2 (Beltran-Woodward 45+1’, Prajza 64’)
SD Raiders 1 (Malfara 38’)
Inter Lions 2-3 Blacktown Spartans
It wouldn’t be a league one round without a high scoring fixture. As such Blacktown Spartans backed up their round 29 win with another triumph on the road against Inter Lions.
Finishing in sixth position, the Spartans weren’t far off competing for a top two position at seasons end. While Inter Lions will be relishing a chance to reset after a tough second half of the season.
The visitors started the better of the two sides in this one and controlled the first hour or so. Suleyman Bangura opening their account inside the first quarter hour after some good build up play in the lead up.
That advantage doubled nearly ten minutes later, a set piece routine seeing Jamie Percevski head towards goal for Aedon Kyra to finish.
While substitute Demitrius Kigeya made pretty much an instant impact to set up Bangura for his second and his sides third five minutes into the second half.
However as we’ve seen many times before, Inter Lions brought themselves back into it with two quick goals after the hour. The first scored by James Ord on his starting debut? Before Ollie Green brought the deficit back to two goals in the 67th minute.
They couldn’t quite find an equaliser though as the Spartans closed out their season with their 15th win of the campaign.
Inter Lions 2 (Ord 64’, Green 67’)
Blacktown Spartans 3 (Bangura 16’ 50’, Kyra 24’)
UNSW FC 0-1 Dulwich Hill
Dulwich HIll took out a single goal win over UNSW FC to end their season on a high at the Village Green.
After a tough season with plenty of lessons learnt, the visitors ended their campaign with back-to-back victories. While it was an unspectacular end for UNSW who finished the season on 47 points in eighth position.
A game which marks the end of the line for potentially a few Dulwich Hill players, they were keen to send them out well. However it was UNSW who had the better of the first half in terms of possession and chances.
That changed at the break though with the visitors exercising a bit more patience in their play, Their goal coming through Harry Browell after the hour. Browell finishing after a rebound from a Daniel Fornito shot fell to him.
The score remaining unchanged throughout the remainder, Dully picking up their eighth win of the campaign.
UNSW FC 0
Dulwich Hill 1 (Browell 63’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-2 Canterbury Bankstown
Bonnyrigg’s disappointing season came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at home against Canterbury Bankstown in Sydney’s South-West.
A win to lift the spirit’s of the visitors going into pre-season, a late Finley Hayhurst goal secured the points for the visitors who finished a point above their hosts.
With nothing to play for, Berries coach Wally Savor was pleased with his sides intent for this one. They took control of this one early with Patrick Savor opening their account ten minutes before half time with an effort from the left which the keeper could only watch go in. Savor scoring at his second attempt after he, Connor Slater and Marco Turpeinen all had efforts earlier in the contest.
However the hosts came out for the second half the better of the two sides, Daniel Bittar scoring a rare goal with his head. That revival not lasting long before the Berries regained control. The visitors getting their reward with a goal with three minutes remaining, Hayhurst driving forward and unleashing a shot which took a touch off the post surprising the keeper.
A positive result for the Berries who finished their season on a high, while there’s a lot to ponder from a Bonnyrigg perspective going into season 2025.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Bittar 49’)
Canterbury Bankstown 2 (Savor 35’, Hayhurst 87’)
End of Season note
Thanks once again for reading along in season 2024. It’s once again been a pleasure to take you through the action on a weekly basis, particular thanks to those who have provided information throughout. All the best for the off season, I hope to be back again next year.
By Justin Smith
