Round 20 Preview – League One Men’s
It’s getting towards the business end of the season in the FNSW League One Men’s competition as we look forward to some great round 19 action.
Headlining our weekend is a six pointer as the bottom two meet, while elsewhere SD Raiders against Hills United is the pick of the action.
Check out the preview below.
Match of the Round: Macarthur Rams v Bonnyrigg White Eagles; Saturday 21 June, 5pm, Lynwood Park
A six pointer if ever we’ve seen one, Macarthur Rams host Bonnyrigg White Eagles this weekend as the bottom two meet in our round twenty match of the round.
The Rams have shown encouraging signs in recent weeks with eight points in their last five games while Bonnyrigg White Eagles are looking to end a losing run at the time of writing.
Macarthur Rams had their four game unbeaten run brought to an end last weekend in defeat to Bulls FC Academy. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story with room for encouragement coming in their performance.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles on the other hand have lost their last five games, last week beaten by Blacktown Spartans at home by a 2-0 margin courtesy of two second half goals. This game coming at the end of a three game week which saw them in action Wednesday night.
Conor Spurway was the scorer of the Rams goal last weekend in another positive performance from the Rams though they could be without Alex Gollan due to a fifth yellow picked up this season. For Bonnyrigg, look out for Mason Versi to inspire them alongside Charles Mendy. They need to put in a better performance in this one.
You can catch this one live and on demand on the Football NSW youtube page under the live tab.
Elsewhere:
Blacktown Spartans v Canterbury Bankstown; Friday 20 June, 8:15pm, Blacktown Football Park
A midweek coaching change didn’t hamper Blacktown Spartans too much last weekend. Getting three points against Bonnyrigg White Eagles, they proved too strong scoring twice in the second half to claim the points.
The club also getting a welcome boost through the performance of 19 year old Milos Jankovic on debut who set up both their goals. Aedon Kyra also adding to his season tally which stands at twelve goals. A win here crucial if they want to keep pace with the top four.
They face a Canterbury Bankstown side who have dropped off the pace in recent weeks having not won in their last five. Last weekend they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Hakoah FC at Jensen Park.
In that game, they both started and finished the better side with Joel Beattie and Daniel Goni finding the back of the net. So you’d assume they’ll be focusing on a consistent performance across the ninety here.
Hakoah FC v UNSW FC; Saturday 21 June, 4:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
This week gives Hakoah FC a chance at redemption after the last meeting between these two finished in a hefty defeat. Sitting on 23 points, they drew with Canterbury Bankstown last weekend in their round 19 fixture.
The highlight of that one being their second half performance, in particular that of Valentin Cuny who scored a brace. However they did concede in second half injury time which made the result feel like a defeat.
Down on numbers last weekend, UNSW FC couldn’t quite get the better of Mounties Wanderers. Still, it was a performance to be proud of from the students with nine players out due to injury or suspension.
As such, this week should see the return of Jack Fulton to the side. While Tom Quilligan stands out as their main outlet to goal of late scoring in their last two games. Can they repeat their performance from their last meeting with Hakoah?
Bankstown City v Northern Tigers; Saturday 21 June, 5pm, Jensen Park
Bankstown City have gone down to three straight defeats in recent times which has seen them slip into the mid-table vortex after 19 rounds. Still on their day, they are capable of matching it with the best, just look at the first meeting between these two.
Last weekend, they went down to a disappointing defeat to Dulwich Hill away from home. Jonathan Grozdanovski’s goal a rare moment of joy in recent times. Can they lift for this one?
Northern Tigers returned to the top two with a win last weekend against Inter Lions. Backing up from their cup fixture midweek in which they shocked NPL side Apia Leichhardt, they triumphed 3-0 over the Lions.
Standing out in that one were Jesse Spang who picked up a goal and an assist, Taliesin Dorigo who provided great energy and Cole Mutton who dealt with the threat of Owen Duke. This meeting earlier in the season saw them taste their first defeat of the season.
Inter Lions v Bulls FC Academy; Saturday 21 June, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Keeping in mind that they well could have turned things around in their midweek catch up fixture, it’s been a tough period for Inter Lions who have dropped points in each of their last three matches.
Last weekend, they had no answer for Northern Tigers despite a positive start to that one. Indeed their goals have dried up in recent times scoring just one goal in their last three games, something they’ll probably need to overcome here.
Another week, another game, another win for Bulls FC Academy who took top spot last weekend. On a charge up the table, their unbeaten run now stands at nine games stretching back to mid April.
In round 19 action, they took out derby honours with a 2-1 win over Macarthur Rams at home. Both Zane Helweh and Samuel Bosnjak scoring their goals before they showed some defensive prowess in the second half. In fact that has to be a talking point, conceding no more than one goal in a game stretching back to round 11.
Mounties Wanderers v Rydalmere Lions; Saturday 21 June, 7pm, Wanderers Football Park
A draw against UNSW FC last weekend kept the positive momentum around Mounties Wanderers going in their fight to stay out of the bottom two. Picking up five points in their four games since the turn of the season, can they pick up more points here?
Last weekend, Ejin Kishimoto was the scorer of their goal from a set piece routine for his third of the season. A character building result, can they repeat the dose here against an in-form side?
It stands as a tricky ask against Rydalmere Lions who have potentially returned to the top four race with three straight wins. Sitting on 30 points, they are outsiders but another couple of wins in succession could see them enter the equation.
Last weekend, they got the better of SD Raiders at home. Robert Eremugo and Adil Toska both scoring to give them a two goal lead before conceding late. While Julian Shalome will be out of this one after receiving a red card.
Newcastle Jets v Dulwich Hill; Saturday 21 June, 7pm, Lake Macquarie Football Facility
At risk of repeating ourselves, Newcastle Jets are just lacking that consistency to challenge for a top two spot this season. On 28 points, they went down perhaps surprisingly to Hills United in our match of the round last weekend.
There were times in that performance where they were well on top but just couldn’t find the back of the net, while the loss of Oscar Archbold was also a blow. You would expect them to look to make things right here.
Dulwich Hill once again found a way to get three points last weekend. Doing enough to give themselves breathing room over the bottom two, they backed up a 2-1 win over Blacktown Spartans with one over Bankstown City.
This could be a step too far however down on first graders and away from home. Mark Younes and Daniel Padoani the goal-scorers in last weeks game. The next month or so an important one for the club.
SD Raiders v Hills United; Saturday 21 June, 7pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Hopefully well rested going into this one for the first time in a few weeks, SD Raiders will be looking to return to winning ways in the league this weekend. Dropping out of the top two for the first time in months, there will be plenty of motivation to do so here.
Last weekend, they went down narrowly to Rydalmere Lions in a feisty contest away from home. Jairo Torne Fernandez scoring their goal, they will be without Sebastian Malfara for this one after a red card last weekend.
This suddenly has become a game to watch this weekend with Hills United in season best form heading in. They took out match of the round honours over Newcastle Jets last weekend in an impressive performance.
Marcus Lal gave them the lead before Alexander Hamilton scored their second with 15 minutes left as they became the third team to keep the Jets scoreless this season. They have scored over a quarter of their goals in their last three games.
By Justin Smith
