Round 26 Preview – League One Men’s
Five rounds to go in the FNSW League One Men’s competition, every game matters as we look ahead to round 26 this weekend.
Match of the Round: Blacktown Spartans v Inter Lions; Friday 1 August, 8:15pm, Blacktown Football Park
Blacktown Spartans host Inter Lions in our match of the round this week, Friday night under the lights.
The hosts have won their last three at home and after getting the better of the league leaders last weekend, they’ll fancy themselves here. While Inter Lions will look to play spoilers as they look to recapture some form.
There’s no doubt that momentum plays a big role at this time of the season and despite a round 24 loss to UNSW, Blacktown Spartans have it entering the final five rounds. Equal top, they’ve won five of their last six games.
Last weekend, they won 4-1 against competition leaders Northern Tigers away from home. The star of the show in that one being Aedon Kyra who scored a hat-trick which included a goal from half way. Aside from Kyra, Christian Nascimben is a player worth mentioning as well, his ability to deliver into the area in particular..
It could be imperative that the hosts score first in this one against an Inter Lions side who are well set up out of possession. After being in the top two race as recently as round 20, they have lost four of their last five games including against SD Raiders last weekend.
If we’re looking for players who could make a difference this weekend, Owen Duke and Sebastien Portolesi look like their most likely attacking threats. While Sam Armson always plays a crucial role in midfield leading the side. They won the first meeting between the two sides back in April.
UNSW FC v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 2 August, 3:15pm, The Village Green
UNSW FC suffered a minor set back in their pursuit of a top two spot last weekend when they had the chance to go top. A draw with Bulls FC Academy in the match of the round is nothing to panic about but they’ll want to bounce back here.
Leading the way for the students in recent times has been Nathan Roberts who has scored three goals in five fixtures since joining. They have picked up a couple of good wins at home in recent times so they’ll be confident here.
This could be a potential banana skin fixture for the students however against a Macarthur Rams who have three wins in their last five games. On 28 points, they are probably need a result or two to cement their spot in the league next season.
Last weekend they won by a single goal over Rydalmere Lions which is probably their most impressive result of late. Goal scorer Michael Martin the standout in that game, while Cooper Widdup made a starting debut for Tim Aitken’s side.
Hakoah FC v Newcastle Jets; Saturday 2 August, 4:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah FC suffered defeat at the hands of fellow mid-table side Hills United last weekend. A score line which was harsh on them after 90 minutes, they were well in the contest in the first half before the score blew out.
It is a run which could cause a few doubts though so they’ll be keen to prove themselves here. They will be without Connor Shaddock for this one after receiving a red card last weekend in the second half.
Taking a further step towards a place in the top two, Newcastle Jets are in impressive form with five games of the season remaining. Six games unbeaten with five wins in that time, they beat Bonnyrigg White Eagles 4-1 last weekend.
It’s their attack which is impressing at the moment with 16 goals in their last four games, mostly through the names you would expect in Janni Rafty, Ethan Debono, Xavier Bertoncello and Oliver Cockle. Their draw also looks pretty friendly for their top two prospects playing multiple sides in the mid-table.
Dulwich Hill v Bulls FC Academy; Saturday 2 August, 5pm, Arlington Oval
You’d imagine one more win would be enough for Dulwich Hill to lock in their spot in the division. And they weren’t far off getting it against Canterbury Bankstown last weekend in a narrow 1-0 defeat away from home.
A big factor in not getting that result was the absence of their front three as they couldn’t put away their chances in the first half. Stefan Visscher probably their best on the evening with a busy performance leading the line.
Bulls FC Academy will be out trying to turn one point into three after going close on a couple of occasions in recent times. Sitting in seventh, they are not out of the top two conversation but there’s a few sides between them.
Back to last weekends draw against UNSW, Atiya Waraga gave them a lead on the quarter hour before they conceded early in the second half. There were definitely positives to take from that fixture though, can they use it as a building block for this one?
Bankstown City v Hills United; Saturday 2 August, 5pm, Jensen Park
Bankstown City’s season continues to be a mixed bag as we enter the final five weeks. On 30 points, they won a game, drew a game and lost a game in the space of seven days last week. Most recently tasting defeat to Mounties Wanderers away from home.
Following a win against Bonnyrigg during the week, they suffered a slow start against Mounties with a Jamie Masson goal in the second half a rare high point in the fixture. They shared the points in the last meeting between the two.
It looks a tough task though against a Hills United side who bounced back from their first defeat in a long time in stunning fashion last weekend. A 5-0 win, they very much ran away with the game against Hakoah FC.
A crucial moment in that game being a Jacob Vasiliou goal right before half time which gave them momentum. However, they will want to work on controlling games better ahead of this one.
SD Raiders v Mounties Wanderers; Saturday 2 August, 5pm, Ernie Smith Reserve
Backing up from a midweek cup game will be SD Raiders who have well and truly brought themselves back into contention for the top two. Back-to-back wins for the first time since the turn of the season, they beat Inter Lions last weekend.
In that game, Noah Chianese and Riley Cox-Barlow once again found the back of the net. While defensively they kept their second clean sheet in three games. They have a big three games on the horizon after this one with games against Bulls FC Academy, Newcastle Jets and Blacktown Spartans to come.
Mounties Wanderers gave themselves a chance of survival with a win last weekend over Bankstown City. Sitting seven points behind 14th place, they’ll need favours to avoid a playoff but the win did give them a six point gap over Bonnyrigg White Eagles below them.
Key to that win was two goals in the opening fifteen minutes through Mitchell Gibbs and Anthony Windsor so a similar start will be needed here. While in off field news, the club did part ways with Brett Hewit in the week leading up.
Rydalmere Lions v Canterbury Bankstown; Saturday 2 August, 5pm, Rydalmere Park
After a defeat last weekend, a lot of eyes will be on Rydalmere Lions to see how they respond this week as they continue to chase promotion. However being four points behind, they can’t afford many more slip ups from now on.
Back to last weekend and they came up against a Rams side with a lot to play for with a poor first half perhaps costing them. While they were held goal less for the first time since round 15 against Bankstown City. They have something to prove as well after a defeat to the Berries back in the first meeting.
Canterbury Bankstown ended their long wait for another win last weekend against Dulwich Hill. Requiring a bit of luck to do so in the first half, they took the lead early in the second half before holding onto the three points with something to defend.
Gian Fiorese scored the all important goal which gave them the three points. While Stevan Savicic made a couple of big saves in the final minutes to secure it. Can they complete the double over the Lions this season with a win here?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Northern Tigers; Saturday 2 August, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
You could argue that this weekend is a free-hit for Bonnyrigg White Eagles as in their effort to survive. Six points adrift at the bottom, their last win came way back in round five against the Macarthur Rams.
Last weekend, they went down to Newcastle Jets away from home on the back of a defeat midweek against Bankstown CIty. Coming in clear underdogs, can they give their fans something to cheer about ahead of some more win able games on the horizon.
Northern Tigers suffered a second straight league defeat last weekend against Blacktown Spartans. Equal on points with the Spartans and with plenty of teams on their tale, this is a potentially a season-defining game for the TIgers.
Last weekend Kai Denton gave them the lead before they lost control of the game. Mix in the cup defeat to Sydney United midweek and this definitely stands as a test of character as they look to hold on to their place in the top two.
By Justin Smith
