Round 8 Review – League One Men’s
Just one game was decided by more than a single goal in Round Eight of the FNSW League One Men’s competition, played across Friday and Saturday.
Rydalmere Lions claimed the Match of the Round honours with a hard-fought win over Western City Rangers, while Bankstown City, Dulwich Hill and Blacktown Spartans also secured maximum points from their respective fixtures.
Match of the Round: Western City Rangers 0–1 Rydalmere Lions
Rydalmere Lions picked up a crucial victory under the Popondetta Park lights, edging past Western City Rangers 1–0 in the Match of the Round.
Securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season, the visitors showcased both attacking intent and defensive resilience after taking the lead. Western City Rangers’ best opportunities came late as they threw caution to the wind in search of an equaliser.
Simply put, there was only one side that looked likely to open the scoring in the opening half hour, and that was Rydalmere. A fast start saw Lomeo Nicoliello force a save from Rangers goalkeeper David Parpaiola with a header inside the opening minute.
The visitors were rewarded for their early control in the 16th minute, as a lack of urgency playing out from the back allowed Sa Huk Yang to pounce, stealing possession inside the area before calmly slotting into an empty net.
Rydalmere continued to dominate following the goal, creating a flurry of chances. Isaac Cunningham came closest, going near twice in quick succession around the 37th minute—first denied low by the keeper, before producing a dazzling run past multiple defenders but failing to apply the finishing touch.
Western City Rangers improved in the final 15 minutes of the half, with their best chance coming from a Dimo Dimo cross-cum-shot from a tight angle, which was parried into a dangerous area before being cleared.
The Lions again started the second half strongly, nearly doubling their lead when Yang turned provider for Nicholas Azzone, whose effort struck the base of the post.
The hosts responded in the 51st minute, with Dimo combining neatly before cutting inside and forcing a diving save from Steven Kriezis.
Rydalmere continued to create the better chances past the hour mark but were unable to put the game beyond reach—a factor that became more significant in the 64th minute when captain Nikola Pintur was sent off for a clumsy challenge.
Despite the numerical advantage, Western City Rangers struggled to break down a disciplined Rydalmere defence. Their best chances came late, with Hugo Cornish heading wide from close range in the 87th minute, before Majok Awan blazed over in stoppage time. Paolo Bonanni also struck the post with a volley from distance, but Kriezis remained equal to the task.
Western City Rangers 0
Rydalmere Lions 1 (Yang 16’)
Elsewhere
Bankstown City 1–0 Macarthur Rams
Bankstown City recorded their second consecutive 1–0 victory, overcoming Macarthur Rams at Jensen Park on Saturday evening.
Pushed hard by an impressive Rams outfit, Bankstown showed strong character to grind out the result. The visitors controlled much of the first half possession, going close through Chan Yelchan, while Blake Ricciuto threatened at the other end.
The second half became more direct, with Bankstown asserting greater control. Their pressure paid off in the 69th minute when Shun Maeta won a penalty after an incisive run, with the on fire Bai Antoniou converting from the spot.
It was a massive win for the hosts who were dealt a blow prior to kick off losing Mario Shabow for the season and Alec Urosevski for at least 8 or so weeks through injury.
Bankstown City 1 (Antoniou 69’)
Macarthur Rams 0
Bulls FC Academy 0–1 Dulwich Hill
In one of the surprises of the season, Dulwich Hill secured their first win of the campaign with a 1–0 victory over Bulls FC Academy.
A disciplined and hardworking performance proved the difference, with Mark Younes scoring in the 18th minute after a well-worked move involving Marcus Lal and Samuel O’Connor.
Dulwich Hill held firm in a tight contest that produced few clear-cut chances, signalling a potential turning point in their season.
Bulls FC Academy 0
Dulwich Hill 1 (Younes 18’)
Blacktown Spartans 4–1 Central Coast Mariners
Blacktown Spartans enjoyed a strong start to their home stretch, pulling away to defeat Central Coast Mariners 4–1 on Friday night.
After a tight first half, Christian Gonzalez opened the scoring just before the break. The Mariners responded through Cooper Hall, but the Spartans quickly regained control, with Dion Carle restoring the lead before further goals from Christian Nascimben and Daniel Scally sealed an emphatic result.
Blacktown Spartans 4 (Gonzalez 46’, Carle 69’, Nascimben 86’, Scally 92’)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Hall 64’)
Newcastle Jets 2–2 Northern Tigers
Newcastle Jets and Northern Tigers shared the spoils in a high-quality contest at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
The Tigers struck first through Ally Brown, before a Dallo Sandy penalty levelled the scores. Jake Goodwin then gave the Jets the lead, but the Tigers once again showed resilience, with Kai Denton equalising late to earn a point.
Newcastle Jets 2 (Sandy 39’, Goodwin 57’)
Northern Tigers 2 (Brown 15’, Denton 78’)
Hurstville Zagreb 1–1 Hakoah FC
Hakoah FC came from behind to secure a point in a physical encounter against Hurstville Zagreb.
Alessandro Lacalandra gave the hosts the lead after capitalising on a defensive error, but Cam Philpot rescued a point late with a composed finish, as both sides settled for a draw.
Hurstville Zagreb 1 (Lacalandra 62’)
Hakoah FC 1 (Philpot 90’)
Prospect United 1–1 Canterbury Bankstown
A dramatic late penalty saw Prospect United salvage a point against Canterbury Bankstown.
William Kounnas had given the visitors the lead with 15 minutes remaining, but Praneet Singh converted from the spot deep into stoppage time to ensure the points were shared.
Prospect United 1 (Singh 94’)
Canterbury Bankstown 1 (Kounnas 75’)
Hills United 0–0 Inter Lions
Inter Lions earned their first result of the season with a hard-fought draw against Hills United.
Despite Hills controlling possession and creating the better chances, they were unable to break down a resolute Lions defence, with both sides also recording their first clean sheets of the campaign. The match also marked Ryan Woods’ 100th appearance for Hills United.
Hills United 0
Inter Lions 0
By Justin Smith
