Round 3 Review – League One Men’s

Round three of the FNSW League One Men’s competition continued to provide plenty of drama and some surprise results across the weekend.

Northern Tigers won their third straight game at home, while both Hurstville Zagreb and Western City Rangers claimed their first victories of 2026.

Match of the Round: Hurstville Zagreb FC 1-0 Inter Lions

Hurstville Zagreb picked up their first win of the season over Inter Lions thanks to a Mo Ahmed first-half goal at Penshurst Park.

It was an assured performance from Valerio Silvestro’s side, who looked comfortable once they took the lead in what turned into a scrappy contest.

The loss leaves Inter Lions with plenty of work to do after going winless in their opening three fixtures.

Playing back at Penshurst Park for the second time this season, the hosts had the first opportunity of note, with George Antonis seeing a shot from inside the area saved low down in the second minute.

Antonis looked like the early attacking outlet for Hurstville Zagreb, curling another effort from outside the box just past the post before the tenth minute. The hosts were rewarded for their efforts with a goal before the 20th minute.

Silvestro’s side worked the ball in from the right wing, with Paul Gagro laying it off for Mohamed Ahmed, who fired a first-time shot into the top right corner.

Inter Lions then enjoyed what was potentially their best period of territorial control following the goal. However, they were largely restricted to half chances, including a James Andrianakos free-kick that went over the bar.

Hurstville were the more threatening side, with a Declan Sheldon shot fizzing over the bar in the 35th minute. Inter went into the break with plenty to ponder.

The hosts remained on top after the resumption, with Alessandro Lacalandra firing a shot on the turn shortly after the 50th minute.

Inter Lions opted to change their set-up in the second half, though they were unable to create a genuine goal-scoring chance. In fact, arguably their best opportunity came from a mishit pass from deep which nearly snuck into the top corner.

Hurstville had the chance to extend their lead through substitute Jesse Gagro, who saw his shot blocked as it headed towards the bottom corner.

The visitors’ only shot on target — if you can call it that — came from a set-piece opportunity in injury time, and only after Michael Vakis had forced a save at the other end.

Hurstville next face Western City Rangers away from home, while Inter Lions, at the foot of the table, take on Northern Tigers in round four action.

Hurstville FC 1 (Ahmed 18’)

Inter Lions 0

Elsewhere

Macarthur Rams 3-3 Rydalmere Lions

Macarthur Rams staged a second-half comeback to share the points with Rydalmere Lions at Lynwood Park.

Trailing by two goals at half-time, Chan Yelchan once again stole the headlines with a hat-trick to take his tally to five goals for the season. Rydalmere Lions, meanwhile, saw another lead slip — something they will be keen to address quickly.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Yelchan. However, despite their bright start, Rydalmere Lions hit back with three quickfire goals before the break. Amponsah Antwi struck first in the 28th minute, before Isaac Cunningham and Amir Ramezani also found the net.

Half-time gave the Rams the chance to regroup, with a few substitutions helping to change the momentum. Yelchan added his second in the 54th minute, and after several further chances, a late penalty allowed the hosts to claim a share of the points, converted by Yelchan.

The result sees both sides settle in mid-table in eighth and sixth place respectively.

Macarthur Rams 3 (Yelchan 11’, 54’, 93’)

Rydalmere Lions 3 (Antwi 28’, Cunningham 35’, Ramezani 43’)

Canterbury Bankstown 1-3 Western City Rangers

Western City Rangers picked up their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Canterbury Bankstown at Jensen Park on Saturday evening.

After trading goals in the first half, the Rangers claimed the three points courtesy of goals from Hugo Cornish and Cooper Coskerie. Canterbury Bankstown, for their part, continue to search for consistency week to week.

Canterbury controlled much of the possession but ran into a compact and disciplined Western City Rangers defence, whose threat came in transition. The visitors opened the scoring with their first chance, Rocco Pelle netting in the 27th minute.

The lead lasted 13 minutes before Fikret Berisha equalised with a header before half-time.

The visitors emerged stronger in the second half with renewed physicality. Cornish scored their second before the hour mark, allowing them to play to their strengths, and Coskerie added the sealer in second-half stoppage time.

It was a confidence-building result as they continue their long-term process.

Canterbury Bankstown 1 (Berisha 40’)

Western City Rangers 3 (Pelle 27’, Cornish 50’, Coskerie 94’)

Bulls FC Academy 1-3 Hills United

Hills United were another side to claim a come-from-behind victory, scoring three second-half goals to defeat Bulls FC Academy 3-1 at Sydney United Sports Centre.

It was a significant result for Patrick Zwaanswijk’s side, who may well emerge as a dark horse in 2026. For Bulls FC Academy, it marked their first defeat of the season.

The visitors knew they would face a side that likes to dominate possession and apply a high press. That proved true when the academy side took the lead through Luke Zuvela in the 39th minute.

Hills responded strongly after the break, containing the threat while taking their chances at the other end. Yuki Kanai equalised from the penalty spot in the 49th minute.

A key figure in the turnaround was Walid Moutaouakkil, who was instrumental in all three goals. He scored the second in the 80th minute before Kanai added the third at the end of an injury-time counter-attack.

Hills United move into fourth after three rounds on the back of two wins, while Bulls FC Academy sit just above them on goal difference.

Bulls FC Academy 1 (Zuvela 39’)

Hills United 3 (Kanai 49’, 90’; Moutaouakkil 80’)

Northern Tigers 1-0 Bankstown City

Northern Tigers compounded Bankstown City’s woes with a 1-0 win at North Turramurra Recreation Area.

It was a strong result for Milad Popalzay’s side, who claimed maximum points from their early-season home stand, though they had to work hard against an improved Bankstown City outfit that had their moments despite being reduced to ten men.

Described as an entertaining contest, both sides showed their quality, with Bankstown City perhaps edging possession. A key moment came early in the second half when Sebastian Kiceec received a second yellow card for a foul that led to the decisive goal. Jesse Spang scored from the resulting free-kick, which slipped under the wall.

The hosts showed real discipline to hold onto the result, with Bodie Denton producing a crucial triple save late in the game to deny an equaliser.

Northern Tigers 1 (Spang 54’)

Bankstown City 0

Central Coast Mariners 2-0 Dulwich Hill

Rounding out the weekend, Central Coast Mariners proved too strong for Dulwich Hill with a 2-0 win at Pluim Park in uncomfortable conditions.

It was their second home win in as many weeks, with goals either side of half-time from Harvey James and Arthur De Lima.

After weathering a bright start from the visitors, who registered a few shots on target, the Mariners took control after the drinks break. Harvey James scored with a back-post header from a set piece.

They doubled their advantage shortly after the break, with Arthur De Lima finishing from close range following an unfortunate deflection. A red card for the visitors midway through the second half extinguished hopes of a comeback, though they continued to press forward.

Central Coast Mariners 2 (James 27’, De Lima 47’)

Dulwich Hill 0

Prospect United 1-1 Newcastle Jets

Could this be the result to kick-start their season? Prospect United found a late equaliser to earn a share of the points against Newcastle Jets.

It was an even contest throughout, with Prospect coach Darren Camilleri praising his side’s “enterprise and commitment.” Both goals came from the penalty spot in the second half.

After a fairly even first half that was scrappy at times, the visitors took the lead during their best spell early in the second half. Dallo Sandy converted from the spot in the 54th minute. The lead could have been doubled soon after, but Oliver Cockle failed to convert in a one-on-one situation.

However, as seen so far this season, Prospect have shown strong mentality. They built late momentum and were rewarded with a penalty of their own, won by Marco Turpeinen and converted by Praneet Singh.

Prospect secured their second point of the season against the academy side, while the Jets face Canterbury Bankstown next weekend in search of their first win.

Prospect United 1 (Singh 91’)

Newcastle Jets 1 (Sandy 54’)

Blacktown Spartans 1-1 Hakoah FC

Blacktown Spartans’ flawless start to the season was brought to an end by Hakoah FC in a 1-1 draw on Friday night.

Starting in similar fashion to last week, the hosts took control early through another Aedon Kyra goal. That momentum was halted before the break, however, with a red card to Josh Bartolotto in the 40th minute.

The course of the game shifted when Eli Sheard equalised just after the hour mark, but the hosts held firm in a character-building defensive display. They also had a few chances to win it in the final ten minutes.

Hakoah FC remain unbeaten heading into their home opener next weekend, while Blacktown Spartans face Bankstown City at Jensen Park in a big clash next Saturday night.

Blacktown Spartans 1 (Kyra 20’)

Hakoah FC 1 (Sheard 63’)

By Justin Smith