Round 5 Preview – League One Men’s
FNSW League One Men’s R5 Preview
With the first month of the season behind us, round five of the FNSW League One Men’s competition marks an important time of the season as teams look to build momentum.
Headlining this weeks slate is a clash at Pluim Park, whilst elsewhere Northern Tigers hosting Hakoah FC is probably the pick of the action.
Match of the Round: Central Coast Mariners v Bankstown City; Sunday 8 March, 3pm, Pluim Park
Another week, another big game takes place in the League One Men’s competition as Central Coast Mariners host Bankstown City at Pluim Park.
The Mariners are unbeaten in their opening four rounds while Bankstown City picked up their first result of the season last weekend against Blacktown Spartans.
Credit to them after their off-season turbulence, Central Coast Mariners have started the season with two wins and two draws across the opening four rounds, including a 2-2 draw with Hakoah FC last weekend.
In what was their toughest test yet this season, they came from behind to take a point with both Harrison Jablonski and Arthur De Lima scoring their goals. Expect De Lima and Ahmad Ethelou to be their main attacking threat. While Jai Ajanovic in goal has also performed well in the opening month.
They face a Bankstown City side who will be feeling a bit better about themselves going into this game. Breaking a three game losing streak in the process, they proved too good for Blacktown Spartans at home last weekend.
It was a confidence building result with eight players missing due to injury and suspension. Bai Antoniou an important contributor outside their goalscorers with two assists. This should see a few players back in contention for a place in the match day squad.
As always, you can catch this game on the Football NSW youtube page under the live tab this weekend.
Elsewhere
Hurstville Zagreb v Bulls FC Academy; Friday 6 March, 8pm, Penshurst Park
Hurstville Zagreb suffered their first defeat in almost a year of football last weekend against Western City Rangers. It was however an honourable loss though it will still hurt after taking an early 2-0 lead.
They created plenty of chances in that one, so being more efficient will be important here. While defensively it was the first time they have conceded four goals in two years so expect a response in the defensive third as well.
One side we’re yet to figure out this season are Bulls FC Academy who have won two games and lost two in their opening four rounds of action.
Last weekend, they lost 2-1 against Rydalmere Lions despite controlling much of the second half. Now they face a clash where academy sides tend to struggle at in Penshurst Park. A result here would surely give them a confidence boost.
Blacktown Spartans v Dulwich Hill; Friday 6 March, 8:15pm, Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans had their first set back of the season last weekend against Bankstown City. So the question now is how they respond heading into their fixture with Dulwich Hill this weekend?
Back to last weekend, they suffered a hefty price for defensive lapses against the competition heavyweights. Though the performance of Darcy Ellem gave them something to hold onto moving forward.
Football can be a cruel game, just ask Dulwich Hill who though they claimed their first win of the season against Prospect United last week. However conceding a goal with pretty much they last kick of the game means they are still chasing their first victory.
One of the sides who have been hit by injuries in the first month of the season, Marcus Lal will play a key role in upcoming weeks providing goals. Though they need their reinforcements back defensively.
Macarthur Rams v Newcastle Jets; Saturday 7 March, 4:30pm, Lynwood Park
Macarthur Rams are sitting in a good place after the first month of League One Men’s action with two wins and a draw to their name. Last weekend, they claimed a valuable three points against Hills United.
Once again it was on the back of a positive start with Dan Mijovic’s side scoring in the opening quarter hour in three of their four matches. Olivier Beltran-Woodward our player to watch after a brace last week.
Not many people would’ve had Newcastle Jets as a side sitting in 15th position after the first month. Just two draws to their name this season, they lost 4-1 to Canterbury Bankstown at home last weekend.
Indeed, it’s in front of goal where the worries lie with just three goals in four games, one of which came last weekend through Jake Goodwin when the game had already been decided.
Northern Tigers v Hakoah FC; Saturday 7 March, 4:45pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
It’s Tigers day at North Turramurra Recreation Area this weekend with both the Men’s and Women’s teams featuring in a double header. Focusing on the men, they added another win to their early season run overcoming Inter Lions. Kai Denton given their internal man of the match while Cole Mutton also impressed.
Hakoah FC are not an easy task however as they too are unbeaten so far this season. Drawing three of their games, they come in on the back of sharing the points with Central Coast Mariners last weekend. The main story out of their start to the season being young Eli Sheard who has scored two weeks in a row.
Canterbury Bankstown v Rydalmere Lions; Saturday 7 March, 7pm, Jensen Park
Canterbury Bankstown picked up their second win of the season last weekend against Newcastle Jets away from home. A William Kounnas led the way in front of goal joined by Patrick Savor and Jake Riddington on the score-sheet. Consistency is the goal for Canterbury Bankstown this season, as such this is a big game for them in regards to setting standards going forward.
They face a side who are yet to be beaten in 2026 in Rydalmere Lions. The most notable thing for them last weekend being the defensive solidarity they showed in the second half after taking a first half lead. Lomeo Limonchello also scoring from a well rehearsed set piece which is another thing to look out for here.
Western City Rangers v Inter Lions; Saturday 7 March, 7pm, Popondetta Park
Finding results is an important element of any rebuild and Western City Rangers have managed just that with back-to-back wins over Canterbury Bankstown (R3) and Hurstville Zagreb. Against Hurstville, it was all down to character and discipline coming from behind, while from an individual perspective, Dimo Dimo was a standout playing beyond his years for Warren Grieve’s side.
It’s not looking particularly good for Inter Lions at the moment after four losses in as many games and just two goals to their name. Last weekend, they couldn’t quite match it with Northern Tigers at home going down 3-0. However the game did see Zac Sfiligoi and James Khoury both start their first game of the season
Prospect United v Hills United; Sunday 8 March, 4pm, Blacktown Football Park
If we’ve learnt anything about Prospect United across the opening four rounds, it’s that they won’t be easily beaten as Dulwich Hill found out last weekend. Coming from behind once again, Darren Camilleri has instilled a lot of self belief in his side. Their most notable contribution last weekend coming from their young defence who looked well up to the level.
Hills United sit in the mid-table after two wins and two defeats in their opening four games. Last weekend, they suffered a disappointing defeat against Macarthur Rams after bringing themselves back into the game. With 65% possession, they couldn’t quite make the most of their chances, they will be itching to get back on the field here.
By Justin Smith
