Round 21 Preview – League One Men’s
With just a third of the season remaining, results mean that little bit more as Round 21 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition plays out this weekend.
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans v Rydalmere Lions
Friday 26 June, 8:15pm, Blacktown Football Park
We return to Blacktown Football Park this Friday night as Blacktown Spartans host Rydalmere Lions, looking to return to winning ways.
It hasn’t been long between featured games for Blacktown Spartans, who saw a few sides tighten the gap behind them last weekend. Still firmly in pole position, back-to-back home games across the next couple of weeks give them the opportunity to charge down the straight.
In Round 20 action, they shared the points with Dulwich Hill, with the group feeling it was two points dropped rather than one gained, so expect a response. Blake Ilitch scored their goal from a set-piece shortly after conceding. It should not be a surprise to see a few new faces here as well.
Believe it or not, at the time this game was picked it was set to be a top-four fixture between two sides chasing promotion. However, things haven’t gone to plan from a Rydalmere Lions perspective of late, with just one win since Round 11.
Last weekend they copped a heavy defeat at the hands of Canterbury Bankstown at home. They will be looking to the likes of Sebastian Boffa and Adil Toska to make a difference in attack here, something they have struggled with in recent times, scoring just two goals in their last four games.
Last Meeting: Rydalmere Lions 2-3 Blacktown Spartans
Elsewhere
Macarthur Rams v Hakoah FC
Saturday 27 June, 4:30pm, Lynwood Stadium
Hakoah FC are set to have another say in the top two race when they visit Macarthur Rams on Saturday evening.
Macarthur Rams took out the League One Men’s edition of the “distance derby” against Newcastle Jets last weekend, bringing themselves to within two points of second. They now have the opportunity to continue their good form here.
Back to last weekend, Christian Torrelli and Olivier Beltran-Woodward led the way for the Rams in the win, with their first half labelled as their best of the season so far.
Hakoah FC won’t be easy opposition this weekend, however, on the back of a Match of the Round victory over Northern Tigers. They grew into that game and took points off a top-four opponent for the second time in three weeks.
Now the challenge is to do it away from home. Their defensive effort was impressive last weekend, with goalkeeper Nikolas Loe and Ben Fuchs two standouts to watch here.
Last Meeting: Hakoah FC 0-0 Macarthur Rams
Northern Tigers v Dulwich Hill
Saturday 27 June, 4:30pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Northern Tigers suffered defeat last weekend in their Match of the Round fixture with Hakoah FC. Up against a stubborn defence, they had to show patience in their build-up but couldn’t find a way through despite their best efforts.
Not the first side to fall at Hensley, focus now turns to bouncing back against a side they have an excellent record against of late. Look out for Connor Rose as their key player in this one.
Their opponents Dulwich Hill will come in with added confidence after their draw with Blacktown Spartans last weekend. Picking up three draws in a row, they are a couple of results away from safety in 2026.
They took the lead against Spartans through a Jan Schmidt goal, while Andrew Di Blasio and Isaac Hovar also played well. They will have to overcome a poor head-to-head record of late to get a result here.
Last Meeting: Dulwich Hill 0-5 Northern Tigers
Canterbury Bankstown v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 27 June, 5pm, Jensen Park
Creeping into the conversation at the top of the table are Canterbury Bankstown, who extended their unbeaten run to six with a win over Rydalmere Lions away from home last weekend.
A clinical performance in front of goal, they also stepped it up defensively from the week before, with five different scorers finding the back of the net. With big fixtures coming in Rounds 24 and 25, the question is whether they can head into those games in form.
Central Coast Mariners will make their second trip to Jensen Park in as many weeks. Last time out, they had positives to take from a spirited performance against Bankstown City away from home.
Coach Philippe Bernabo-Madrid was pleased with what he saw, particularly in the first half when Laurence Taylor gave them the lead. Another performance like that here could see a different result.
Last Meeting: Central Coast Mariners 1-1 Canterbury Bankstown
Hurstville Zagreb v Hills United
Saturday 27 June, 5pm, Penshurst Park
Returning to home comforts this weekend will be Hurstville Zagreb after a loss on the road against Bulls FC Academy. It was not their night away from home, conceding four goals to a determined A-League academy side.
They will now look to bounce back on Saturday. A bright spot in a tough night was Alessandro Lacalandra’s equaliser, his 12th goal of the campaign.
If recent form is anything to go by, Hills United may be due a result after a draw last weekend. While not in top form, they remain a tough side to face, though their style will be tested at Penshurst.
Last weekend they were frustrated against Prospect United in a 0-0 draw, with their standouts coming in defence. Daniel-Ray Djurovic, Byron Ginn and Ryan Wood all earned praise from coaching staff.
Last Meeting: Hills United 3-2 Hurstville Zagreb
Inter Lions v Newcastle Jets
Saturday 27 June, 5pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Inter Lions eased pressure on themselves with a big win over Western City Rangers last weekend. They took time to settle but created plenty of chances once they did, and now sit eight points above the Rangers.
Efficiency in front of goal remains an area to improve, although they have only conceded two goals in their last three games.
Newcastle Jets are in the midst of a tough run of form, winless in their last five games. Round 20 saw them fall to a narrow defeat against Macarthur Rams at home. On 22 points, they likely still need a couple more wins to ensure safety.
As with any A-League academy, development remains the priority, and they have fielded a young defence recently that is improving quickly. They cannot be counted out here.
Last Meeting: Newcastle Jets 5-1 Inter Lions
Western City Rangers v Bankstown City
Saturday 27 June, 7pm, Popondetta Park
Two of the more active sides in the window will face off as Western City Rangers host Bankstown City at Popondetta Park.
Results need to come sooner rather than later for Western City Rangers if they are to survive in the competition, and what better way than against a heavyweight? It would be a major turnaround after their defeat to Inter Lions last weekend.
In that match, they struggled in the final third, something they hope to improve with incoming players during the window that opened midweek. How quickly they gel could determine survival.
Last weekend was positive for Bankstown City, who picked up three points against Central Coast Mariners at home. That win brought them to within a point of Northern Tigers, with Bai Antoniou and Shun Maeta combining for both goals.
Now attention turns to incoming signings with former Socceroo Josh Brilliante, Tomislav Uskok and Ryan Fuetz, both available for Panni Nikas this weekend. They are statement additions aligned with their ambitions for the run-in.
Last Meeting: Bankstown City 2-1 Western City Rangers
Prospect United v Bulls FC Academy
Sunday 28 June, 8pm, Blacktown Football Park
After two consecutive goalless draws, Prospect United will be chasing three points in their Round 21 fixture on Sunday night. Against a strong Hills United side, they held firm despite relying on seven U20 players.
They very nearly took all three points with late chances. Having performed well against other A-League academies, they will hope to do so again here against Bulls FC Academy.
Bulls FC Academy secured a Round 20 win to reclaim the mantle of highest-placed academy side in 2026. A three-goal victory over Hurstville Zagreb saw them score four goals from limited chances.
Leading the way was Ali El-Sabeh with a brace either side of half-time, while Lucas Blazevic and Ezra Frimpong also scored. Coach Nicolai Muller praised the performance of his very young squad.
Last Meeting: Bulls FC Academy 5-0 Prospect United
By Justin Smith
