Round 22 Preview – League One Men’s
We are in the single digits when it comes to rounds remaining and, as such, there are some important games in the FNSW League One Men’s competition this weekend.
Headlined by a Match of the Round featuring the form team of the competition, there is also plenty to keep an eye on elsewhere.
Match of the Round: Hurstville Zagreb v Canterbury Bankstown; Friday 3 July, 8pm, Penshurst Park
Our Match of the Round features the in-form side of the competition in Canterbury Bankstown as they face a Hurstville Zagreb test at Penshurst Park.
We’ll start with them for this one, as it has been a while since Canterbury Bankstown have featured in a Match of the Round. In that time, they have gone on a seven-game unbeaten streak stretching back to Round 14 in early May.
In their last three, the Berries have scored an eye-watering 17 goals in fixtures against Newcastle Jets, Rydalmere Lions and Central Coast Mariners last weekend. Six different scorers found the back of the net against the Mariners, while they also kept a clean sheet. William Kounnas and Fikret Berisha are players to watch, while Joel Beattie could make his return here.
Hosting them are Hurstville Zagreb, who are two points away from hitting the 30-point mark, which you would think would guarantee safety in 2026. Unbeaten in their last five home games, something has to give when these sides meet this Friday night.
Last weekend, they overcame Hills United at the same venue, coming from behind in the process. Alessandro Lacalandra continued his goal-scoring form to equalise before Michael Neil played a role in the winner. Neil is a player to watch in this one. They strengthened in the window, bringing in Max Buratto, Oliver Sacks and Anthony Morabito.
Last Meeting: Canterbury Bankstown 2-4 Hurstville Zagreb
Elsewhere
Prospect United v Hakoah FC; Friday 3 July, 8pm, Blacktown Football Park
Another home game for Prospect United gives them another chance at turning positive performances into results this weekend. Sitting on 17 points, they have the opportunity to raise the pressure on Western City Rangers with a win here.
Last Sunday, they shared the points with Bulls FC Academy at the same venue. New signing Antonio Orlando found the net on debut, while Stefan Giglio also impressed in goal with crucial saves.
Hakoah FC have won two and drawn two of their last four games in an improved run of form. Sitting in eighth position, they are shaping as a tough side to play on the run home as they look to improve their standards.
Back to last weekend, Nicholas Tooley scored his 15th goal of the season in 20 games. We could also see Jay Maltz and Ethan De Bono make a debut in this one after joining the club in the window.
Last Meeting: Hakoah FC 1-2 Prospect United
Blacktown Spartans v Newcastle Jets; Saturday 4 July, 3:30pm, Blacktown Football Park
Ahead of a month away from home, Blacktown Spartans will look to claim a crucial three points this Saturday afternoon. Coming in off a confident second-half performance against Rydalmere Lions last Friday night, they’ll also fancy themselves here.
There is a sense they used the transfer window well to strengthen, with both Jayden Tran and Felipe D’Agostini looking good in their first appearance for the club, while Dakota Askew and Peter Kekeris also came off the bench.
Like other A-League academies heading into the weekend, there is a question around the makeup of Newcastle Jets Academy. They have gone six games without a win, stretching back to Round 15, including a defeat to Inter Lions last time out.
What we do know is they’ve been fielding a youthful side of late and have been struggling with progressing the ball forward in possession. Can they show up and give Spartans a contest here?
Last Meeting: Newcastle Jets 3-3 Newcastle Jets
Macarthur Rams v Inter Lions; Saturday 4 July, 4:30pm, Lynwood Stadium
In contrast to most of the league at the moment, Macarthur Rams look to be having their joy away from home of late after they were held to a 1-1 draw with Hakoah FC last weekend. In fact, 16 points in 11 home games this season does suggest that’s the next step of improvement for Dan Mijovic’s side.
His side played well in possession in that game, though they could improve in attacking their opponent’s goal. They’ve added Takumi Kyutoku and Rui Ishizuka in the window, while Chan Yelchan could be a big departure.
This will be a test, however, against a much-improved Inter Lions who have won their last two games and risen into 12th in the standings. As such, they only require a few more wins to hit the 30-point mark in 2026.
In Round 21 action, they proved a bit too strong for Newcastle Jets courtesy of a Mitchell Smith brace with a goal either side of half-time. Another side who added to their squad in the window, Jordan Morfitis and Vincent Fedele both joined the club and made their debut there.
Last Meeting: Inter Lions 0-1 Macarthur Rams
Bankstown City v Dulwich Hill; Saturday 4 July, 5pm, Jensen Park
Bankstown City return home to play their first game since the transfer window with a star-studded cast this weekend. On the back of a 3-2 win against Western City Rangers last weekend, there is potential to build momentum with a third win here.
The question is how players new to the side gel with the existing elements, which could lead set pieces to be their best route to goal. Bai Antoniou has been leading the way with consecutive braces, complemented by a Tomislav Uskok goal on debut last weekend.
Dulwich Hill will be aiming to shake off a defeat to Northern Tigers last weekend. In the midst of a tough run of games, they are still in need of a couple of wins to secure their place in the competition going forward.
Last weekend they ran into one of the form players of the competition in Connor Rose. They do have players to come into the first-grade side, with Jonathan Green, Daniel Bakrdanikoski and Josh Da Silva all new faces appearing on the bench against the Tigers.
Last Meeting: Dulwich Hill 0-1 Bankstown City
Hills United v Northern Tigers; Saturday 4 July, 5pm, Valentine Sports Park
Northern Tigers face a tough test when they travel west to take on Hills United at Valentine Sports Park.
Hills United have been left frustrated in back-to-back games against promoted sides, where they’ve taken only one point from a possible six. Now, with less pressure on them to get a result, can they return to winning ways at home?
It is in the final third where they’ll be looking to improve after controlling much of the ball against Hurstville Zagreb without reward. They will need to do it without Yuki Kanai, who departed, with Brooklyn Mallia, Jacob Vasiliou and Charlie Douglas coming in.
The visitors have struggled away from their North Turramurra home this season. Three wins and four draws has seen them pick up 13 points on the road, something they’ll look to improve here.
Last weekend at home, they proved too strong for Dulwich Hill with Connor Rose starring once again. The wide player has stepped up recently and is combining well with Jesse Spang in attack. They shared the points with Hills in their first meeting this season.
Last Meeting: Northern Tigers 1-1 Hills United
Bulls FC Academy v Western City Rangers; Saturday 4 July, 7pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Round 21 saw Bulls FC Academy consolidate on their win over Hurstville Zagreb with a draw against Prospect United in dramatic circumstances with a late equaliser. Bound to boost confidence, can they carry that into this one at home Saturday night?
Coach Nicolai Muller noted he was happy with their performance afterwards. They were active by academy standards in the window, bringing in Harper Ryles, Jack Wheat and Jordan Graoroski.
It is very much “need a result” territory for Western City Rangers, who sit nine points from safety with nine rounds to go. Last weekend they put in a respectable performance against Bankstown City, falling just short, and with some tweaks they can improve here.
In that game, several players made club debuts with Chan Yelchan, Reuben Awaritefe and Praneet Singh all starting, while Kye Hickman continues to build minutes in his return from injury.
Last Meeting: Western City Rangers 0-1 Bulls FC Academy
Central Coast Mariners v Rydalmere Lions; Sunday 5 July, 3pm, Pluim Park
If there was a result which turned heads last weekend, it was Central Coast Mariners Academy’s struggles at Jensen Park against Canterbury Bankstown in a six-goal defeat. Now the question is how they respond at home this weekend.
One thing we do know is that they have brought in Dion Carle from Blacktown Spartans. With a run of five straight home games kicking off here, can they manage a response?
They face a Rydalmere Lions side who looked rejuvenated in defeat against Blacktown Spartans in Round 21 action. Despite the two-goal defeat, they pushed the competition leaders with an energetic performance.
Still, it was Adil Toska who stood out with an assist to his name, while Yuki Kanai is a standout recruit after moving from Hills United. Kaito Satori completes their new-look attack.
Last Meeting: Rydalmere Lions 1-0 Central Coast Mariners
-By Justin Smith
