Round 4 Review – League One Men’s

Round Four of the FNSW League One Men’s competition delivered goals, drama and late heartbreak, with all but one side finding the back of the net across a gripping weekend of action.

With six winners across two massive days, momentum is beginning to build and storylines are starting to take shape. Let’s dive into the action.

Match of the Round: Dulwich Hill 2-2 Prospect United

Our Match of the Round featured plenty of late drama as Dulwich Hill and Prospect United shared the spoils in an enthralling contest at Arlington Oval.

Walking away the more disappointed of the two will be Dulwich Hill, who thought they had claimed the win in the 85th minute through a Liam Spiropoulos free-kick. However, Prospect United’s spirit was on show as they scored an equaliser with the last kick of the game deep into stoppage time.

Against a well-organised defence, it was crucial for the hosts to get off to a strong start — and they did just that, taking the lead before the quarter hour through Samuel Hovar.

The goal was just reward for a positive opening. Hovar received the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and finding the back of the net with a right-footed strike into the near bottom corner.

As expected in a contest of this nature, the onus shifted to Prospect United to create opportunities. Most of their efforts came from long range, the most notable seeing William DiMartino force a save from Patrick Williams. The score remained 1-0 as the teams headed into the sheds.

Dulwich Hill had the first notable chance of the second half in the 52nd minute. An attack down the right saw a cross find Hovar, whose shot was denied, before a follow-up effort from Marcus Lal was poked wide with a lunging attempt.

The hosts paid the price for not taking that chance soon after. Prospect found their equaliser in the 57th minute when a Daniel Kraljevic delivery from the right was headed down into the path of Reo Hirose, who applied the finishing touch from close range.

That goal raised both the tempo and temperature, with chances flowing at either end. Samuel Gulisano went close in the 65th minute, narrowly missing to the right of the target.

The final ten minutes produced wild scenes. Dulwich Hill retook the lead through an inch-perfect Spiropoulos free-kick in the 85th minute, sparking jubilant celebrations.

But Prospect United had the final say. From the second phase of a set piece, a deep ball was headed down by Gabriel Vulcik into the path of Joshua Okan, who finished from close range to snatch a dramatic point.

Prospect coach Darren Camilleri gave special mention post-game to his young backline, praising their maturity in coping with sustained pressure throughout the contest.

Dulwich Hill 2 (Hovar 13’, Spiropoulos 85’)
Prospect United 2 (Hirose 57’, Okan 90+4’)

Elsewhere

Bankstown City 3-1 Blacktown Spartans

Bankstown City overcame a lengthy injury list to get the better of Blacktown Spartans at Jensen Park on Saturday evening.

With eight first-team players missing through injury and suspension, it’s the kind of result that will give Fabian Micelli’s side enormous confidence moving forward. It also handed the Spartans their first defeat of the campaign.

In front of another healthy crowd, Jonathan Grozdanovski gave the hosts the lead in the 21st minute, finishing from a tight angle under pressure to send Bankstown into the break ahead.

Bankstown doubled their advantage just before the hour mark, with Grozdanovski turning provider and Mario Shabow applying the finish.

The visitors had their moments — particularly in the first half — and pulled one back through Darcy Ellem in the 67th minute.

However, Bankstown responded swiftly to end any comeback hopes, with Brayden Sorge converting from a Bai Antoniou set piece. Antoniou played a key role with two assists in a commanding display.

Bankstown City 3 (Grozdanovski 21’, Shabow 59’, Sorge 70’)
Blacktown Spartans 1 (Ellem 67’)

Western City Rangers 4-3 Hurstville Zagreb FC

Western City Rangers survived a major scare in a seven-goal thriller, eventually defeating Hurstville Zagreb 4-3 in Sydney’s west.

Trailing by two goals after 30 minutes, the hosts responded in style, scoring four unanswered goals either side of halftime. Coach Warren Grieve credited his side’s character, resolve and discipline post-match.

Hurstville Zagreb showed they can match it with a recently relegated top-tier side despite falling to their first defeat since April 2025.

Mo Ahmed opened the scoring from the second phase of a set piece before Michael Vakis doubled the advantage inside 20 minutes.

The turning point came in a frantic 15-minute spell. Goals from Dimo Dimo — a standout performer — and Jamal Belkadi restored parity before the break.

The score remained level until Hugo Cornish fired Rangers ahead after a sweeping team move that stretched the length of the field. The hosts capitalised on space in transition to add a fourth before Andre Guzman finished from a Connor O’Toole cross to make it 4-3. Rangers held firm for their second straight win.

Western City Rangers 4 (Dimo 35’, Belkadi 39’, Cornish 68’, Lopez 84’)
Hurstville Zagreb 3 (Ahmed 12’, Vakis 20’, Guzman 88’)

Rydalmere Lions 2-1 Bulls FC Academy

Rydalmere Lions returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Bulls FC Academy at Rydalmere Park.

After a couple of frustrating draws, Jeff Suzor’s side showed defensive resolve in the second half to claim a deserved win, while Bulls FC Academy suffered their second straight defeat.

The hosts took the lead around the quarter-hour mark through Lomeo Nicoliello, who scored from a well-rehearsed corner routine. Zane Helweh equalised with a direct free-kick before parity lasted mere seconds — Amponsah Antwi restoring Rydalmere’s lead in the 39th minute.

The second half was a different story, with the A-League academy side controlling large stretches. However, Rydalmere’s defensive organisation ensured they held on.

Rydalmere Lions 2 (Nicoliello 14’, Antwi 39’)
Bulls FC Academy 1 (Helweh 37’)

Hills United 1-2 Macarthur Rams

Macarthur Rams produced one of the results of the round, claiming a valuable away win over Hills United in Sydney’s north-west.

The Rams took the lead before the quarter hour through Olivier Beltran-Woodward, who continues to be a key figure in their attacking play.

Hills found an equaliser early in the second half via an own goal, setting up a tense final half hour. Beltran-Woodward stepped up again in the 68th minute, finishing a move down the right wing to restore the lead.

Hills applied heavy pressure in the final 15 minutes but were unable to find another equaliser.

Hills United 1 (Gollan OG 54’)
Macarthur Rams 2 (Beltran-Woodward 13’, 68’)

Newcastle Jets 1-4 Canterbury Bankstown

Canterbury Bankstown were ruthless on the road, defeating Newcastle Jets 4-1 at Lake Macquarie.

In what is always a difficult away trip, the visitors took control in the second half to condemn the Jets to a fourth straight match without victory.

William Kounnas opened the scoring with a first-time finish into the roof of the net. Patrick Savor converted a penalty early in the second half before Jake Riddington added a third after beating two defenders.

Kounnas capped the performance with his second in the final ten minutes, while Jake Goodwin grabbed a late consolation for the Jets.

Newcastle Jets 1 (Goodwin 90’)
Canterbury Bankstown 4 (Kounnas 35’, 84’, Savor 47’, Riddington 70’)

Inter Lions 0-3 Northern Tigers

Northern Tigers produced a near-perfect away performance, defeating Inter Lions 3-0 at Majors Bay Reserve.

Kai Denton returned to the starting side in style, scoring a first-half brace, while Oliver Scott added a third. Cole Mutton also impressed, registering an assist for the final goal.

Milad Popalzay noted post-game that his side are defending well and attacking with intent — something clearly reflected in their recent form.

It’s been a tough start for Inter Lions, who remain at the foot of the table after four straight defeats.

Inter Lions 0
Northern Tigers 3 (Denton 20’, 26’, Scott 59’)

Hakoah FC 2-2 Central Coast Mariners

To round out the weekend, Hakoah FC and Central Coast Mariners shared the points after a thrilling four-goal second half.

Both sides led at different stages, with Hakoah now recording their third draw of the campaign, while the Mariners remain unbeaten and sit two points above them.

After a tight first half, the Mariners struck first through Harrison Jablonski. Hakoah responded via young Eli Sheard in the 65th minute before Valentin Cuny gave the hosts the lead with a clever lob.

Arthur De Lima equalised shortly after to set up a frantic finale, with Jai Ajanovic producing a crucial late save to ensure the points were shared.

Hakoah FC 2 (Sheard 65’, Cuny 76’)
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Jablonski 48’, De Lima 79’)

By Justin Smith