Round 5 Preview – League One Men’s
A month already? It’s time to get serious in the FNSW League One Men’s competition as we approach round five of the competition.
Our match of the round takes us to North Turramurra with a big game between Northern Tigers and Bankstown City.
While elsewhere we have a local derby and SD Raiders look to continue their winning streak against Hills United.
Match of the Round: Northern Tigers v Bankstown CIty; Saturday 8 March, 6:30pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Our match of the round sees a roaring Northern Tigers outfit host a struggling Bankstown City at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
Northern Tigers are unbeaten in their first four games with last week seeing them drop their first points of the season while Bankstown City have had a rough start to the season losing three of their last four.
The hosts have started the season as we kind of expect the Northern Tigers too. Three wins and one draw across the first month, they drew with Inter Lions last weekend despite leading twice. Prior to that winning against Hills United, Mounties Wanderers and Bulls FC Academy.
In ominous signs for the division, Kai Denton has started finding the back of the net again with four goals in the last couple. While the midfield combination of Lachlan Lloyd and Taliesin Dorigo have been crucial to their start to the season. There’s a lot of depth in the squad as well with a strong bench in comparison to other sides.
Whereas the hosts are enjoying calm waters across the first month, the waters for Bankstown City have been choppy. A round two win against Macarthur Rams is the only one they’ve tasted this season with losses to Dulwich Hill, Bulls FC Academy and SD Raiders so far.
Last weekend in defeat to Dulwich Hill, they showed some of the character which will be required to get out of this slump but more will be expected here. Shun Maeta has scored in consecutive games for this weeks visitors while goalkeeper Mario Aleksik has also started the season well.
You can catch this one on the Football NSW youtube page under the live tab this Saturday night.
UNSW FC v Hakoah FC; Saturday 8 March, 5pm, The Village Green
One of those fixtures you circle when the draw comes out, UNSW FC host Hakoah FC at the Village Green this weekend.
Last weekend was a frustrating one for UNSW FC who couldn’t quite find a way through a stubborn Mounties Wanderers. Seven points in their four fixtures, they sit in 4th position after the first month.
They will be without captain Claudio Fabiano who got a red card last weekend in the match of the round. Elsewhere, Kevin Lopes missed a couple of good chances alongside both Conor and Thomas Quilligan. So expect them to want to set last weekend right when they take to the field this Saturday evening.
Hakaoh FC on the other hand once again found a way, edging past their round four opponent in Canterbury Bankstown last Sunday. A late winner in injury time saw them bounce back from two defeats in the weekends prior.
There’s a sense that everything hasn’t quite come together yet for Craig Sharpley’s side but where better for it to start than here? Valentin Cuny is definitely a player to watch with nearly a goal a game record, while Cam Philpot is a key creative cog in attacking midfield.
Intriguingly this could also potentially pit father and son against each other as Craig Sharpley (Hakoah head coach) faces Kaden Ivor Sharpley who was on the UNSW bench last weekend.
Hills United v SD Raiders, Saturday 8 March, 7pm, Valentine Sports Park
Hills United are the next side that await SD Raiders as the visitors look to maintain their perfect start to the season at Valentine Sports Park.
It’s been a tricky couple of weeks for Hills United. Losing their past two games against Northern Tigers and Newcastle Jets, this stands as another tough fixture. Prior to those back-to-back defeats, they did win their first couple of games.
New signing Daniel Bakrdanikoski was the scorer last weekend against the Jets to put them in the lead after a good first half display. Unfortunately though they weren’t able to hold on and went down to a single goal defeat. Returning home will give them the chance to rebound here.
Although they haven’t put together a full ninety performance yet, SD Raiders have emerged as the pace setters in the League One Men’s competition. Four wins on the bounce, they have been a hard nut to crack so far in the 2025 season.
200 minutes without conceding, they have kept clean sheets against Macarthur Rams and Rydalmere Lions in their past two. Last weekend finding the goal for fun in the opening 25 minutes, Charlie Ragg scoring a brace there. WIll four wins become five for Goran Ljuboja’s side here?
Quickfire Previews
Rydalmere Lions v Mounties Wanderers; Saturday 8 March, 5pm, Rydalmere Park
Football is a funny game at times, if Rydalmere Lions had taken a couple of early chances against SD Raiders, they could’ve walked away with a result. But they didn’t and went down to a 4-0 defeat. It’s been a hot and cold season for the Lions with all four of their points coming at home. Will we see a response here?
Mounties Wanderers were able to pick up their first point of the season in last weeks match of the round. They held on in the second half after constant pressure which will be a welcome boost to new coach Brett Hewit and his side. Their best against UNSW being Andre Schroeder in midfield who is more than capable of unlocking a defence with his passing ability.
Canterbury Bankstown v Blacktown Spartans; Saturday 8 March, 7pm, Jensen Park
After two wins to start the season, Canterbury Bankstown have lost their next two against Inter Lions and Hakoah. Now the important thing is they don’t let their heads drop as they look to turn things around. Last weekend against Hakoah, Christian Torrelli continued his scoring run while Jake Mamone was heavily involved including a superb strike from 25-30 yards out.
Their opponents Blacktown Spartans picked up a pressure relieving win over Bonnyrigg White Eagles last Friday night. They were in control from the first whistle of that one with Aedon Kyra taking the plaudits with a brace. He was joined on the score sheet by Matthew Martignago who impressed in his club debut at the back, can they use that result as a springboard for this one?
Bulls FC Academy v Inter Lions; Saturday 8 March, 7pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Bulls FC Academy could see some returning face to the squad this weekend as they take on Inter Lions. They have picked up four points in their last two games including a draw last weekend against the Rams. Levi Sciuriaga continued his scoring run while Zane Helweh converted a second goal from the spot. They will need to focus on how they can manage the games when in the lead after dropping points in round four.
Inter Lions continued their impressive start to the season with a come from behind draw against Northern Tigers at home. Improvement is occurring every week and with moments like Harry Rushton’s 90th minute equaliser last weekend, they’ll be tough to beat. Owen Duke is a player to watch in this one after an assist last weekend.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 8 March, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Not alone in this, Bonnyrigg White Eagles have looked like two different sides so far this season. At home, they have two wins, away from home two defeats including a 3-2 loss to Blacktown Spartans last weekend. Two late goals making the score more respectable after the likes of Luke Turnbull and Stefan Dubocanin stood out earlier.
They face a Macarthur Rams side who are coming in to this one in positive spirits coming from two goals down against Bulls FC Academy. Coach Tom Bazdaric was pleased with the character shown throughout his team. That being said, fullback Michael Martin was the player singled out with an assist for the first goal while Emmanuel Gonzalez and Carlos Ruiz Cantillo scored their goals.
Dulwich Hill v Newcastle Jets; Saturday 8 March, 7pm, Arlington Oval
Speaking of sides in good spirits, Dulwich Hill are looking ahead to round five after back-to-back wins over Blacktown Spartans and Bankstown City. Last weekend, they scored four against Bankstown City with a fast start giving them a lead before Liam Spiropoulos found the back of the net twice in the second half. Can they provide a shock result here?
Newcastle Jets importantly bounced back from their round three defeat against UNSW FC with a come from behind win against Hills United last weekend. Utilising their depth, a few substitutions changed the match with Oliver Cockie and Ethan Debono finding the back of the net in the second half. They will be favourites for this one away from home.
By Justin Smith
