Round 26 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition delivered another twist in the promotion playoff race, along with two local derby victories for Macarthur Rams and Blacktown Spartans as the season entered its final month.

Hills United held Bankstown City to a draw in our Match of the Round, while Northern Tigers produced a performance full of character to strengthen their position in the race for second place.

Western City Rangers also secured a valuable point as the battle at both ends of the table continues to heat up.

Match of the Round: Hills United 2-2 Bankstown City

Bankstown City suffered a setback in the promotion playoff race after conceding late to be held to a 2-2 draw by Hills United at Valentine Sports Park.

In a see-sawing contest, a second-half brace from Alec Urosevski looked to have put the visitors on track for a crucial victory before Jesse Michel equalised late for Hills to ensure the points were shared.

Signs were early that Hills United were ready for the challenge, with Bankstown City goalkeeper Mario Aleksik forced into early saves to deny Brooklyn Malia and Jesse Michel.

The visitors created their first notable chance after the quarter-hour mark when Alec Urosevski found space from an angle, but his effort was comfortably saved.

The opening stages provided plenty of action, with both sides attacking with intent.

Hills United came closest to breaking the deadlock during the opening half when Malia curled an effort from the edge of the area onto the right post, leaving the goalkeeper beaten.

The hosts perhaps entered the break disappointed not to be ahead after a competitive opening 45 minutes.

However, it was Bankstown City who began the second half stronger and looked the more likely to find the breakthrough.

That breakthrough arrived somewhat against the run of play in the 58th minute when Jordan Small headed home inside the penalty area from a brilliant Darian Daghero cross, with his effort bouncing off the crossbar and over the line.

Bankstown responded strongly, scoring twice before the 75th minute to turn the contest around.

Urosevski levelled at the far post after connecting with a Fumoto Kamda cross, with Isaac Danzo providing the secondary assist.

The comeback was completed from the penalty spot, with Urosevski calmly finishing low down the middle after a set-piece passage to give Bankstown the lead.

Unlike their previous match, Hills had time to respond, and they found their equaliser in the 84th minute.

Walid Moutaouakil delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area, with Jesse Michel producing a looping header that found the back of the net to restore parity.

The result leaves Bankstown City two points behind Northern Tigers in the promotion playoff race, with a crucial clash against Hurstville Zagreb next weekend.

Hills United, meanwhile, have three of their final four matches at home, including a meeting with Canterbury Bankstown next weekend.

Hills United 2 (Small 58’, Michel 84’)
Bankstown City 2 (Urosevski 70’, 75’)

Elsewhere

Hurstville Zagreb 1-3 Northern Tigers

Northern Tigers produced a gritty, determined performance to overcome Hurstville Zagreb 3-1 at Penshurst Park and strengthen their position in the race for second place.

The victory sees the Tigers bounce back from their defeat to Blacktown Spartans the previous week and move two points clear of Bankstown City.

There were also plenty of positives for Hurstville, who showed improvement despite the defeat.

The hosts started strongly and opened the scoring after a positive passage of play, with Matthew Moric released through on goal before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper.

However, Hurstville were unable to capitalise on further chances despite arguably creating the better opportunities after taking the lead.

Northern Tigers responded through the combination of Connor Rose and Jesse Spang, with Spang converting a penalty in the 27th minute before doubling his tally in the 42nd minute after Rose delivered a cut-back into his path.

Alen Aganovic added a third goal early in the second half, proving too much of a challenge for Hurstville to overcome.

Goalkeeper Matteo Scali once again produced a composed performance for the visitors as Northern Tigers secured an important three points.

Hurstville Zagreb 1 (Moric 11’)
Northern Tigers 3 (Spang 27’, 42’, Aganovic 47’)

Prospect United 1-2 Blacktown Spartans

Blacktown Spartans left it late to defeat local rivals Prospect United, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to secure a 2-1 victory at Blacktown Football Park.

The result leaves the Spartans needing just one more win to secure the Premiership, while Prospect now prepare for a crucial fixture against Western City Rangers next weekend.

Despite the difference in ladder positions, the contest was closely fought, with Prospect producing a strong defensive performance and taking the lead before the hour mark through Gabriel Vulcik.

However, Blacktown found their way back into the match through Austen Booth, who proved the difference late with two goals in the 80th and 89th minutes.

The victory moves Blacktown to 59 points and gives them the opportunity to secure the title next Friday night at the same venue.

Prospect United 1 (Vulcik 57’)
Blacktown Spartans 2 (Booth 80’, 89’)

Here is Part 2 continuing the edited Football NSW League One Men’s Round 26 Review.

Central Coast Mariners 1-4 Inter Lions

Inter Lions took a massive step towards securing their place in the second tier with a 4-1 victory over Central Coast Mariners Academy at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon.

A second-half comeback inspired by braces from two experienced players, Owen Duke and Mitchell Smith, saw Inter move further clear of the relegation battle and put themselves in a strong position heading into the final rounds.

Once again, this match was a story of two very different periods.

Central Coast Mariners appeared in control for the opening hour and were rewarded in the 59th minute when Nikola Celebija opened the scoring from a set piece.

However, Inter Lions responded immediately, with Duke equalising straight from kick-off.

The visitors then took complete control in the final stages, scoring three goals in the last 10 minutes.

Duke completed his brace in the 83rd minute before Mitchell Smith struck twice in five minutes to seal a 4-1 victory and potentially secure Inter’s future in the competition.

Central Coast Mariners 1 (Celebija 59’)
Inter Lions 4 (Duke 60’, 83’, Smith 85’, 89’)

Bulls FC Academy 0-1 Macarthur Rams

Macarthur Rams secured the season double over Bulls FC Academy with a 1-0 victory at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday evening.

The result keeps the Rams’ outside promotion playoff hopes alive, with Paul Soravia’s second-half goal proving the difference between the two sides.

It was a tremendous effort from Dan Mijovic’s side, who entered the contest missing three key players through suspension as well as dealing with several injuries.

Bulls created an early opportunity in the second minute, but Macarthur remained disciplined defensively and limited the hosts throughout the contest.

Bulls goalkeeper Joshua Lakkis was kept busy, making important saves to deny Connor Spurway, Stefano Di Marino and Cooper Widdup before the visitors eventually found the breakthrough.

Soravia scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute after Thomas Lopez headed a wide free-kick back across goal.

The Rams also handed four players their debut in the contest, with all making valuable contributions in a crucial victory.

Bulls FC Academy 0
Macarthur Rams 1 (Soravia 61’)

Western City Rangers 2-2 Hakoah FC

Western City Rangers produced a strong comeback against 10-man Hakoah FC, fighting back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Popondetta Park.

The result sees Rangers move into 15th position ahead of a crucial fixture against Prospect United next Friday.

Despite playing against 10 men for 75 minutes, Rangers were forced to show patience before finding a way back into the contest through Chan Yelchan and Reuben Awaritefe.

Hakoah made a dream start, scoring twice inside the opening two minutes.

Valentin Cuny produced both goals, with Benji Cook contributing to the early attacking momentum.

However, their advantage was reduced when a red card after 15 minutes changed the momentum of the match.

Rangers continued to apply pressure and eventually found their breakthrough in the 71st minute, with Yelchan curling a superb effort into the net.

Awaritefe then completed the comeback 10 minutes later after combining with Yelchan following another strong attacking move down the left side.

Hakoah defended strongly during the final stages to hold on for a valuable point.

Western City Rangers 2 (Yelchan 71’, Awaritefe 80’)
Hakoah FC 2 (Cuny 1’, 2’)

Canterbury Bankstown 3-3 Dulwich Hill

Dulwich Hill continued their positive run of form by earning a point away from home in a thrilling six-goal draw against Canterbury Bankstown at Jensen Park.

After a slow start, Canterbury Bankstown took the lead before half-time through John Fotopoulos, who finished from William Kounnas’ dangerous ball across the box.

Dulwich Hill responded quickly after the restart, with Jacob Palamidas finding the equaliser to level the contest.

The visitors then completed the turnaround when Marcus Lal produced a composed curling finish from a set piece to make it 2-1.

Canterbury responded with pressure and eventually levelled through Jake McLeod, who deflected a Patrick Savor effort into the net.

Dulwich Hill looked set to claim another important victory when Ted Dowling scored his first first-grade goal in the 87th minute.

However, McLeod had the final say, racing onto a long ball deep into stoppage time before finishing to secure a 3-3 draw.

Canterbury Bankstown 3
Dulwich Hill 3

Rydalmere Lions 1-1 Newcastle Jets

Rydalmere Lions and Newcastle Jets played out a physical 1-1 draw at Rydalmere Park, with the visitors securing another valuable point in their battle away from the relegation zone.

The contest was largely played on Rydalmere’s terms, with the hosts showing plenty of intensity and attacking intent.

Rydalmere opened the scoring midway through the first half when a free-kick was parried into the path of Yuki Kanai, who reacted quickest to finish.

The hosts were denied a second goal when Steven Kriezis produced an outstanding save to keep out Jake Goodwin.

Newcastle continued to fight and eventually found an equaliser in the 87th minute.

Makye Buettner delivered a dangerous cross from the right, with the ball taking a deflection off a Rydalmere defender and finding the back of the net.

The result moves Newcastle closer to securing safety, while Rydalmere continue to search for consistency heading into the final stages of the season.

Rydalmere Lions 1 (Kanai 24’)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Pintur OG 87’)

By Justin Smith