Round 24 Review – League One Men’s
Round 24 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition saw more twists in the race for a top two spot with both top two sides heading into the weekend beaten.
One such game was our match of the round which saw SD Raiders get a much needed win over Northern Tigers. While UNSW FC jumped Blacktown Spartans into second.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders 2-1 Northern TIgers
SD Raiders kept their top two hopes alive picking up a much needed win over Northern Tigers in our match of the round.
Up against a fellow Australia Cup representative, the Raiders started this one well scoring twice in the first half hour before managing the game well in the second half. Tigers never quite finding their best despite a second half Jakub Prajza goal.
The first chance of note came for the hosts through Riley Cox-Barlow who was released quickly up field around the 7th minute. His shot closed down well by Tigers keeper Bodie Denton who kept himself upright.
Raiders looking the more likely early on with a Noah Chianese shot from a tight angle cleared off the line by Koya Nakano a minute later, Cooper Hanagan finding Chianese with a cross into the area.
That early pressure eventually telling before the 20th minute. Cooper Hanagan threading through a lovely ball from a central midfield position for Cox-Barlow. The young striker moving it onto his left foot under pressure before applying the finish into the far side of the net.
While in contrast to their hosts, the Tigers were struggling to link up in their attacking third against a well organised defence from the home side.
And their job would be made that much harder, Cooper Hangagan once again paying a massive role with a floated ball to the back post, Cox-Barlow with the header across the face for Noah Chianese to finish.
Two goals down, it was time for a response from the Tigers and they had their first opportunity of note just past the half hour. Lachlan Lloyd slotting a ball to Kai Denton to his right inside the area whose shot from an angle was saved by Michael Figueira at his near post.
While Jesse Spang nearly went one better before the 40th minute. Connor Rose leading an attack before sliding in Spang to his outside, his powerful shot rattling the crossbar from just inside the area.
It was the hosts who started the stronger of the two early in the second half however making life difficult for a Tigers side who needed to make inroads.
The visitors next chance coming before the hour when Koya Nakano hit a free-kick in a dangerous position over the bar which was followed ten minutes later by a ball across the face which was just beyond the reach of Kai Denton.
Their pressure eventually telling in the final ten minutes, Jakub Prajza applying a lovely flick finish at the near post from a Kai Denton corner on the left side. They couldn’t however create another goal-scoring chance in the remaining minutes with SD Raiders completing the season double over them.
SD Raiders 2 (Cox-Barlow 20’, Chianese 27’)
Northern Tigers 1 (Prajza 85’)
UNSW FC 3-0 Blacktown Spartans
Statement made in the fight for a top two position. UNSW FC took out a comfortable 3-0 win over Blacktown Spartans at the Village Green, Saturday evening.
Their second straight win, the result saw the students jump the Spartans into second place. New acquisitions Kai Kamikura and Nathan Roberts giving them a first half lead before Sean Woods added a third early in the second half.
The hosts got off to the perfect start in this one with two goals inside the first fifteen minutes both from new players in Kai Kamikura who scored in the 12th minute after some good work from Corby Fowler in the build up. Before Nathan Roberts doubled the advantage three minutes later with a strike from outside the area.
UNSW putting the icing on the cake early in the second half to take an important three points home, Sean Woods the scorer of that goal from the edge of the area.
UNSW FC 3 (Kamikura 12’, Roberts 15’, Woods 51’)
Blacktown Spartans 0
Rydalmere Lions 2-0 Hills United
Rydalmere Lions returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win against Hills United which in turn handed the visitors their first defeat since round 16.
Having made their home turf of Rydalmere Park a tough place to play at since round eight, the hosts scored a goal either side of half time to pick up the result.
Rydalmere started this one looking the more likely but they couldn’t quite convert their early chances which allowed the visitors to pick up some momentum.
Momentum which was halted halfway through the first half through a Robert Eremugo diving header which found the back of the net, Anthony Sparacino with the assist for that goal. A lead which stayed in tact to the half time break and beyond.
Their second goal coming inn the 74th minute from another set piece. Marcus Sparacino delivering a in-swinging corner which was headed home by Juilian Shalome to double their advantage. A couple of Isaac Cunningham chances in the final stages nearly extending that two goal advantage.
Rydalmere Lions 2 (Eremugo 23’, Shalome 73’)
Hills United 0
Dulwich Hill 1-0 Macarthur Rams
Nearly back to full strength, Dulwich Hill picked up a vital three points with a single goal victory over Macarthur Rams at Arlington Oval.
Rising above a trio of sides with the result, the win takes them to 28 points which should be just about enough to insure their position in the league next season. While Rams were left frustrated post game feeling they did enough for a point.
The first half of this one played out akin to a game of chess with Dulwich Hill holding a lot of the ball but unable to break down the visitors defensive shape. Rams reduced to a couple of half chances in transition.
In such a game, patience is key and the hosts got their moments not long into the second half. Samuel O’Connor with a header at the second phase of a set piece.
Rams responding to that with a bit more attacking emphasis though they weren’t able to grab an equaliser. They have a tough task against Rydalmere Lions next weekend, while Dulwich Hill next take on Canterbury Bankstown.
Dulwich Hill 1 (O’Connor 49’)
Macarthur Rams 0
Mounties Wanderers 1-4 Newcastle Jets
Promotion contenders Newcastle Jets strengthened their case with a 4-1 win over Mounties Wanderers on the road.
Moving into fourth on the back of the win, the usual suspects found the back of the net for the academy side who ran away with the game after a tight first half.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, the first half was closer that the final score-line suggested with the Jets just edging the game in an end-to-end affair. Their first goal coming through Ethan Debono just before the quarter hour.
The Jets proving a handle in transition throughout. Their second coming when an Oliver Cockle cross was parried into the path of Debono who applied a side footed finish.
Before Cockle got himself on the score-sheet five minutes later, his shot deflected past the goalkeeper to make it three. While Xavier Bertoncello continued his own scoring streak with a turn and finish inside the area. A consolation coming a minute later through James Cakovski who applied a nice finish from a move down the left.
Mounties Wanderers 1 (Cakovski 79’)
Newcastle Jets 4 (Debono 14’ 65’, Cockle 70’, Bertoncello 78’)
Hakoah FC 1-1 Inter Lions
Hakoah FC and Inter Lions both picked up a stabilising point with a 1-1 draw at Hensley Athletic Field.
Both sides came into this one on the back of consecutive losses so it’s not really a surprise it finished level. Visitors Inter Lions taking a lead in the 54th minute before Hakoah equalised just over ten minutes later.
After a positive first half display from the visitors, they got their reward ten minutes into the second half through Sebastien Portolesi who scored his fourth goal of the campaign.
However a lapse of concentration after taking the lead saw Hakoah come into things and a ball in behind the defence allowed Valentin Cuny to equalise in the 65th minute. A key moment in this one following soon after with Nicholas Drummond sent off
Hakoah rising to meet the demands of the game despite being down to ten creating a few good opportunities from set pieces. While they were able to keep a James Khoury shot out at the other end with a clearance off the line.
Both sides walking away with a point after a well contested 90 minutes of football.
Hakoah FC 1 (Cuny 66’)
Inter Lions 1 (Portolesi 54’)
Bankstown City 1-1 Canterbury Bankstown
Bankstown City and Canterbury Bankstown shared the points in the local derby in a 1-1 draw at Jensen Park.
A game played out in a cautious manner, the hosts took the lead right before half time before Canterbury Bankstown equalised in the second half.
The opening half looked destined not to have a goal in it before Bankstown City found their go-ahead right before half time. A long ball falling favourably for the hosts before Shun Maeta bundled the ball over the line.
A different equation set for the second half with Bankstown City now looking to protect their lead while Canterbury Bankstown chased an equaliser. That equaliser coming in the 64th minute with two 20’s players combining for the goal. Zayn Moussa applying a header to finish after Peter Marinos found him with a first time cross.
Berries then having chances through another player on debut in Jake Mcleod but the scores remained level to finish one goal a piece.
Bankstown City 1 (Maeta 44’)
Canterbury Bankstown 1 (Moussa 64’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0-0 Bulls FC Academy
Bonnyrigg White Eagles were held to another draw in their fixture against Bulls FC Academy, Saturday night.
A third draw in succession for the hosts has left them with a lot to do in the final six weeks with some tricky fixtures on the horizon. While Bulls FC Academy have slipped to seventh with this result.
it was a game that both teams had their chances throughout with the host perhaps having the better opportunities to break the deadlock. But as has happened on a few occasions this year, they couldn’t quite find a way to breakthrough.
The Bulls academy side showing resilience to hold their hosts to a scoreless draw for their first clean sheet since the end of May.
Bonnyrigg next face Newcastle Jets next weekend. While Bulls FC Academy feature in our match of the round against UNSW FC.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Bulls FC Academy 0
