Round 19 Preview – League One Men’s
Round 19 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition presents us with a full round of action this Saturday as the season continues to produce more action and excitement.
Check out our comprehensive preview below.
Match of the Round: Hills United v Newcastle Jets; Saturday 14 June, 7pm, Valentine Sports Park
Two sides who scored impressive victories last time out face off in our match of the round between Hills United and Newcastle Jets.
Back-to-back wins in recent weeks has seen Hills escape the bottom two, last weekend surprising Northern Tigers. While Newcastle Jets were impressive against UNSW FC on the road in last weeks match of the round.
it’s been a case of so far, so good for Hills United under the guidance of Gary Van Egmond. They’ve managed to pick up two straight wins for the first time since round one and two, getting the better of both Northern TIgers and Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Crucial to this turnaround has been the return to the starting side of Yuki Kanai who has scored twice in three games while there’s definitely been improvement in their defence conceding two goals in their last three games.
They will need to be up for it against a Newcastle Jets side who certainly impressed last weekend against UNSW FC. Not out of the running chasing the top two just yet, they have an impressive record away from home this season with 19 points in 9 games.
Aside from the obvious answer that everyone impressed in their 4-1 win. Janni Rafty and Ethan Debono both stood out in their attacking third. While Oliver Cockle continued his scoring run with a brace. They took out the first meeting between the two at Lake Macquarie earlier this season.
Elsewhere
Northern Tigers v Inter Lions; Saturday 14 June, 4:15pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
The games are coming quick and fast for Northern Tigers who would’ve featured in midweek Waratah action heading into this one. As such, they could be forgiven for their recent trouble finding form in which they’ve slipped down to fourth.
Last weekend in league action, they went down to Hills United away from home in a shock result. A notable feature in their recent run being their lack of goals, round 13 the last time they scored more than once in a league game.
This is also a big game for Inter Lions if they are to keep touch with the top four heading into the final third of the season. Sitting on 28 points, a win over Bonnyrigg in their rescheduled round 15 match next Wednesday could spice things up.
Similar to their hosts in this one, goals have dried up in recent weeks, last week rescuing a point against Canterbury Bankstown. Captain Sam Armson stepping up when his side needed him in injury time. Could that moment inspire them going forward?
Canterbury Bankstown v Hakoah FC; Saturday 14 June, 5pm, Jensen Park
Not for the first time this season, Canterbury Bankstown walked away from a match wondering how they didn’t win last weekend. Against Inter Lions, they conceded a injury time equaliser to make it a month since their last win.
They paid the price for not putting away their chances after Joel Beattie gave them a lead earlier in the match. They will be looking to turnaround a 3-2 loss when these sides met back in March.
Hakoah FC tasted their eighth defeat of the season last weekend against Rydalmere Lions. Sitting not far behind their opponents for this one, they will look to return to winning ways approaching the final third of the campaign.
They took the lead against Rydalmere but couldn’t hold on against an in-form attack, Ben Fuchs the scorer of their goal early in the first half.
Rydalmere Lions v SD Raiders; Saturday 14 June, 5pm, Rydalmere Park
Rydalmere Lions have returned to good form with wins in both round 17 against Inter Lions and round 18 against Hakoah FC. Sitting in 7th position, they are still in with a shout of contending with the top four but a result here will be important.
Last weekend against Hakoah, they responded well to conceding in challenging conditions at Hensley Athletic. Once again led by Ahmed Taleb and Robert Eremugo who have scored 24 goals between them, this will be a good test for the visitors.
It’s hard not to relate SD Raiders recent form to recent fixture congestion which has seen them also featuring in Australia Cup/Waratah cup fixtures. Three games without a league win, the chasing pack has caught up meaning they’ll need to find form soon.
In round 18, they took a point from their fixture against Macarthur Rams. In that one, they played their way into the fixture but couldn’t quite pull a rabbit out of the hat. They won the previous meeting between the two by a single goal.
Dulwich Hill v Bankstown City; Saturday 14 June, 5pm, Arlington Oval
After a long wait, Dulwich Hill were finally able to pick up their fifth win of the season last weekend. Keeping them above the bottom two, they will now look to build on it as they chase survival for another season.
Back to last weekend and they picked up a crucial three points against Blacktown Spartans last Friday night. A game which saw the debut of Ted Dowling, it was a massive effort with Liam Spiropoulos and Antonio Orlando both scoring to give them the three points.
Despite an encouraging performance, Bankstown City weren’t able to come away with anything from their meeting with Bulls FC Academy last weekend. Losing ground on teams above while sitting in the mid-table, they will want to bounce back soon.
Jonathan Grozdanovski continued his scoring form with their goal last week, his form a positive amongst the struggling side. They lost the first meeting between the two back in March.
UNSW FC v Mounties Wanderers; Saturday 14 June, 5:15pm, The Village Green
Last weekend was a disappointing one for UNSW FC who lost their recent unbeaten run. Not exactly what we expected heading into the weekend, a lack of a clinical touch in the first half ended up costing them.
Added to that, they will be without a couple of players who started that one, Richard Blanco and Jack Fulton both picking up their fifth yellow card on a frustrating evening. If we’re looking for positives, they have a good record bouncing back from defeats this season.
Things for Mounties Wanderers look a bit better after last weekend with a crucial win over Bonnyrigg White Eagles in a bottom of the table six pointer. Their first win in a month, they kept pace with teams narrowly above them.
Against Bonnyrigg, James Cakovski scored a brace to help them to victory but it was a true team effort. Coach Brett Hewit noting that they have played better games without reward so it’s a sign they are showing the grit and determination required.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Blacktown Spartans; Saturday 14 June, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
This game marks the start of a big week for Bonnyrigg White Eagles who sit bottom of the table. Two home games are followed by a meeting with Macarthur Rams, three games which could decide their season.
Last weekend, they were beaten by Mounties Wanderers away from home. A wonder goal from Daniel Bittar the rare highlight on a disappointing night. Can they turn it around here?
This will be a good opportunity for Blacktown Spartans to show a response after a disappointing result last weekend against Dulwich Hill. Leading at half time, they conceded twice in the second half for their seventh defeat of the campaign.
In that one, George Timotheou picked up a red card so they will have to do it without him. While Aedon Kyra comes into this one having scored eleven goals this campaign.
Bulls FC Academy v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 14 June, 7pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Now sitting equal top in the division, Bulls FC Academy stretched their unbeaten run to eight games with a win over Bankstown City last weekend. A game which saw plenty of change to their starting team, they did well to control proceedings for the large part.
Harry Menham and Michael Krslovic were the goal scorers while Kye Cassar and Ante Vojvodic also impressed. Growing every week, you’d imagine they’ll be favourites for this one.
They come up against a Macarthur Rams side who are in season best form in recent times. Picking up a result against SD Raiders isn’t something to sniffed at as the Rams continued their good form since the appointment of Tim Aitken.
Their third clean sheet in a row has set the foundation for the Rams who have a pretty good goal difference compared to sides around them. This will also be a return of sorts for Aitken who was assistant coach at the academy last season.
By Justin Smith
