Round 28 Review – League One Men’s
Round 28 saw a few sides officially bow out of the FNSW League One Men’s top two race with just two rounds to come in season 2025.
Our match of the round saw SD Raiders hold onto their place at the top of the table, while UNSW, Blacktown Spartans, Northern Tigers and Rydalmere Lions all kept their hopes alive.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders v Newcastle Jets
SD Raiders took out an enthralling match of the round with a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets at Ernie Smith Reserve in round 28 FNSW League One Men’s action.
Riley Cox-Barlow gave the SD Raiders a first half lead with a goal on the half hour before Jets struck back on the brink of half time through Lucas Scicluna. A second half Mihael Marcic strike separating the sides after an influential individual performance.
After a back and forth start, the first notable opportunity of the match came for the hosts before the 10th minute. Lachlan Everett threading through a ball in behind which Luka Knezevic couldn’t capitalise on putting his left footed strike wide of the left post.
While Jets first chance of note saw Ethan Debono fire over the bar from a narrow angle before the quarter hour, his shot on the end of a build up down the left.
It was noticeable that the hosts were looking to beat the offside trap in this one and they nearly found a way through after the 20th minute. One such example seeing Charlie Ragg have a deflected shot which forced the Jets keeper Jordan Baylis into a good save
While the Jets and Lucas Johnson responded at the other end with his strike saved by Michael Figueira low down just a few minute later.
SD Raiders taking their lead on the half hour of this one seconds after Mihael Marcic missed an earlier chance. Marcic through ball finding Knezevic who beat the offside trap, the attacker unselfishly squaring it to Riley Cox-Barlow who finished into an open net.
However a loose turnover at the other end saw Jets go close to an equaliser. Lucas Johnson flashing a shot across goal inside the six yard box after the 35th minute. Both sides continuing to create good chances approaching the half time break.
Jets scoring an equaliser right before the halftime break. A break forward seeing Lucas Scicluna seemingly crossing it into the area with the ball sneaking into the near post.
Perhaps feeling wronged from that equaliser, the Raiders set about their business in the second half and Mihael Marcic hit the crossbar with his effort across goal after the 50th minute.
While Jets first opportunity of note in the second half came for Oliver Cockle, his header from point blank range saved by Figueira who made a reaction stop, the cross to find him coming in from the right
Chances for both sides slowing down as the tension rose over the next ten minutes or so. SD Raiders having the games next chance in the 75th minute through a Lachlan Everett free-kick which narrowly went over the bar.
It was a game where both sides were trading chances and Jets almost took the lead for the first time in the 78th minute. Ethan Debono putting a low drive from the edge of the area just wide. Garang Arou playing a big role getting the ball to him.
Three points there for the taking, it was SD Raiders to score the all important goal after a series of chances. A turnover on the left week from the Jets opening up the opportunity which saw Cox-Barlow flick the ball on to Mihael Marcic who finished with his right foot across goal.
Jets having one last chance deep into injury time through a set piece which found Lucas Johnson who managed to swing a shot on target which was spectacularly saved by Figueira in goal.
SD Raiders next face Blacktown Spartans in next weekends match of the round, while Newcastle Jets have Macarthur Rams.
SD Raiders 2 (Cox-Barlow 30’, Marcic 65’)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Scicluna 46’)
UNSW FC 1-0 Hills United
A Nathan Roberts second half goal gave UNSW FC the three points over Hills United as they went a step closer to the title.
It’s that nervy time of the season where games are typically not decided by much and the students found their goal just after the hour mark to take the chocolates.
The hosts were on top for much of this one perhaps unfortunate to not go ahead in the first half through chances to Jack Fulton, Nathan Roberts and Corby Fowler. Fulton hitting the crossbar in the 24th minute perhaps the best of their chances.
While Hills had their best chance of the game in the 58th minute when Lachlan Sepping struck the side netting with his effort. UNSW scoring the eventual winner in the 63rd minute through Nathan Roberts, who finished across goal after a set piece wasn’t dealt with.
Gabe Knowles side seeing out the rest of the game through a hard working performance. They are in action twice more this week with games against Dulwich Hill and Bankstown City, while Hills next face Mounties Wanderers next weekend.
UNSW FC 1 (Roberts 63’)
Hills United 0
Mounties Wanderers 0-1 Blacktown Spartans
It was by no means pretty but Blacktown Spartans secured a big three points with a hard fought win over Mounties Wanderers at Wanderers football Park.
Keeping themselves within a point of SD Raiders above them ahead of a big fixture next Friday night, an Aedon Kyra penalty midway through the second half secured the points.
For a lot of this one, it looked like it could go either way with both sides having plenty to play for at either end of the table. Mounties Wanderers setting up well without the ball which caused the visitors plenty of frustration.
A game of fine margins, the moment which decided the game came around the hour mark. A Milos Jankovic shot catching the arm of a Mounties defender which sent Aedon Kyra to the spot who calmly converted the penalty.
Mounties throwing plenty at the Spartans in the final stages but unable to find the crucial goal. They take on Hills United next weekend. While Spartans host SD Raiders in what is effectively a playoff before the playoff.
Mounties Wanderers 0
Blacktown Spartans 1 (Kyra 62’)
Rydalmere Lions 1-0 Bulls FC Academy
Hanging in there if a team above them slip up, Rydalmere Lions picked up a win over Bulls FC Academy at Rydalmere Park, Saturday afternoon.
In need of a few favours in the next couple of weeks, Ahmad Taleb’s goal after the hour mark gave them a fighting chance.
It was the visitors who started this one the better of the two sides, the academy side moving the ball quickly in long stints of possession which meant Rydalmere had to fight hard to nulify their attack. The best chance of the first half coming around the 20th minute when Zane Helweh played Dean Bosnjak through on goal who was stopped by James Husoy in the Lions net.
However it was a different game after the break with Rydalmere applying an effective press. Their goal coming in the 62nd minute through an Ahmad Taleb back-heel finish into the far post netting, Taleb found by Robert Eremugo at the near post.
The hosts having the better chances throughout the remaining half hour walking away with a crucial three points.
Rydalmere Lions 1 (Taleb 62‘)
Bulls FC Academy 0
Dulwich Hill 0-7 Northern Tigers
With the pressure valve released, Northern Tigers took out their recent frustrations on Dulwich Hill with a 7-0 win at Arlington Oval.
A reminder that they’re not out of contention yet, the visitors were ruthless in this one with Kai Denton leading the way with four goals.
Six of the Tigers goals came in the second half as they refound their scoring ways. Earlier on, it was a pretty even game on the whole with chances at either end. Kai Denton opening the games account with a volleyed finish from close range, Lachlan Lloyd with the ball across.
However the game changed early in the second half after Tigers went two goals ahead through a Kai Denton header. Bodie Denton making a big save at one end before they added a third at the other through a long range Lachlan Lloyd effort.
Kai Denton completing his hat-trick for the fourth goal before he added a fourth to his personal tally in between a Jesse Spang brace. Tigers next facing Canterbury Bankstown in round 29 action while it will be intriguing to see if Dulwich Hill respond well when they take on UNSW midweek.
Dulwich Hill 0
Northern Tigers 7 (Denton 36’ 56’ 76’ 79’, Lloyd 59’, Spang 78’ 87’)
Hakoah FC 1-2 Bankstown City
Securing back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, Bankstown City extended the woes of Hakoah FC with a 2-1 victory at Hensley Athletic.
It’s been a weird season for Bankstown City however they look set to finish it on a positive note securing six points on their travels in recent times.
After weathering an early storm which saw Hakoah come out of the blocks the fastest, the visitors began to apply pressure as the half went on and took the lead. Nikola Djordjevic scoring his first of the season from a Jason Cakovski corner.
The visitors continuing to hold that momentum into the second half with Jonathan Grozdanovski doubling their advantage with a finish into the top corner after beating a defender, Shun Maeta with the assist for that goal.
Hakoah then applying a lot of pressure afterwards which saw Valentin Cuny score their goal with City keeper Jackson Jarnet kept busy by a few Nicholas Tooley shots.
Bankstown City will get to have a say in the top two race next weekend against UNSW, while Bulls FC Academy await Hakoah.
Hakoah FC 1 (Cuny 79)
Bankstown City 2 (Djordjevic 37’, Grozdanovski 55’)
Canterbury Bankstown 1-1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Bonnyrigg White Eagles rescued a priceless point to drag themselves off the bottom of the table against Canterbury Bankstown at Jensen Park.
After trailing for large points of the fixture, Moussa Sanoh was the hero for the visitors with a 92nd minute goal after a Zayne Moussa goal around the half hour gave the Berries the lead.
Backing up from a midweek game, the visitors struggled and we lucky to go into the sheds just a goal down. Canterbury Bankstown going close through a Demitrius Kigeya shot before they scored their goal on the half hour. That goal coming from Zayn Moussa who cut in off the left before his curling shot found the corner.
The second half continuing in a similar pattern, though the hosts were unable to put Bonnyrigg White Eagles away which proved costly in injury time. A Moussa Sanoh shot from just inside the box finding the bottom right corner.
An 11th draw of the season for the Berries, while Bonnyrigg White Eagles will focus on securing the relegation playoff spot in their remaining two games.
Canterbury Bankstown 1 (Moussa 31’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Sanoh 90+2’)
Macarthur Rams 0-0 Inter Lions
Macarthur Rams booked their place in the division for 2026 holding on to a scoreless draw against Inter Lions at Lynwood Park.
Moving seven points clear of Bonnyrigg White Eagles, they secured their safety with a couple of games to go, while Inter Lions saw this as a missed opportunity to claim three points.
Borh sides had their chances in the first half however a combination of the visitors not being clinical in front of goal and the Rams not getting players into the six yard box in their one big chance saw the sides go in level.
The second half playing out as a more transitional affair with both sides going for it. Inter Lions keeper Evan Davis making some good saves to deny the hosts while once again, the visitors just weren’t all that clinical.
Rams coach Tim Aitken wanting to make particular mention of Cooper Widdup and Maxamillion Luburic for their respective performances post game.
Macarthur Rams 0
Inter Lions 0
By Justin Smith
