Round 10 Preview – League One Men’s
Both the top two and bottom two face off in round ten of the FNSW League One Men’s competition this weekend.
A big weekend as we cross the one-third mark of the season, our Match of the Round gives us a look at Newcastle Jets for the first time this season.
Match of the Round: Hills United v Newcastle Jets; Saturday 11 April, 5pm, Valentine Sports Park
Valentine Sports Park hosts our cameras for the first time this season as Hills United take on Newcastle Jets this Saturday evening.
It’s been a tough few weeks for Hills United who have picked up just two points in their last three league games. Sitting in 6th position, they are in need of a win if they are to keep touch with the top two fight a third of the way into the season.
Last Thursday, they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Hakoah FC though they will feature in an Australia Cup tie Wednesday night against Wollongong United. In terms of players to watch here, Walid Moutaouakkil is a key clog in their attack. Other players to keep an eye out for include Luka Sterjovski and Kaito Satori. Goal scoring a key area of improvement needed here.
This will be our first look at Newcastle Jets this season who have just played their way into form in recent times. Five games unbeaten including wins against Inter Lions and Western City Rangers, they currently sit in tenth, three points below their hosts in this one.
Last weekend, they took out a 4-3 win over Western City Rangers at home. In which, it was their second half performance and determination which impressed. Ethan Debono their main man in attack with a hat-trick joined by Lucas Johnson who also scored. Their last four games has seen them score 14 goals while conceding 9 at the other end.
You can catch this game on the Football NSW YouTube page under the live tab this Saturday evening.
Elsewhere
Prospect United v Inter Lions; Friday 10 April, 8pm, Valentine Sports Park
Kicking off the weekend, the bottom two face off at Valentine Sports Park in an early six pointer. Prospect United suffered a three goal defeat to Macarthur Rams away from home last weekend. Its away from home where they have struggled occasionally in similar circumstances this season. They are one of a few sides struggling with injuries into the third month of the season.
Inter Lions followed up their first point of the season in round eight with another in round nine against Rydalmere Lions. A good point at home against a top half side, they can now take confidence into a game they stand a chance of winning. The return of Ned Armson off the bench last weekend another positive to take for the Lions going forward.
Blacktown Spartans v Northern Tigers; Friday 10 April, 8:15pm, Blacktown Football Park
Indeed Friday night is a big one in the competition with the top two sides meeting as well. Favourites for the fixture will be Blacktown Spartans who are unbeaten in five including four wins. Last weekend they got the better of Canterbury Bankstown in our streamed match, a big factor in that one being the strength of their bench. Suleyman Bangura and Christian Nascimben combining for their winner there.
Suffering their first defeat of the season last weekend, Northern Tigers will be keen to respond in this top of the table clash. In correspondence to us on the weekend, coach Milad Popalzay wanted to use this as an opportunity to reflect and come back better. Whilst they were also pleased once again with the character shown in defeat to the Mariners.
Canterbury Bankstown v Bankstown City; Saturday 11 April, 5pm, Jensen Park
Momentum is a big thing in a 30 game season and this game presents quite the contrast form wise. Firstly we have Canterbury Bankstown who last tasted victory won back in round four with three draws and two defeats in that time. Last weeks game against Blacktown Spartans perhaps showing where they are lacking right now competing well yet not taking their moments.
Bankstown City on the other hand have won their last six games and sit just two points below the top two who meet this weekend. Last weekend wasn’t easy for them against Bulls FC Academy, two injuries doing the game not an ideal situation for Fabian Miceli and his side. Bai Antoniou playing a big role in the win despite playing in an uncomfortable position while Blake Ricciuto continues to be influential.
Hurstville Zagreb v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 11 April, 5pm, Penshurst Park
One win in their last five games, Hurstville Zagreb host their community day this weekend eyeing a bounce back result in the league. Last weekend in league action was a mixed bag with a good first half performance seeing them take a lead against Dulwich Hill before a poor second half saw them fall to a disappointing defeat. A lesson to take going forward as we approach the one-third point.
This will be the second meeting between these two sides in the space of five days after Hurstville Zagreb prevailed in the cup Tuesday night. For the Macarthur Rams, it’s a chance for back-to-back wins in the league after they proved too strong for Prospect United last weekend. A good team performance all round, Jaidyn Dunn scored twice in that fixture, they have a mixed record on the road this season.
Rydalmere Lions v Hakoah FC; Saturday 11 April, 6:30pm, Rydalmere Park
Hosting their second of back-to-back home games are Rydalmere Lions. Last weekends result would’ve been a frustrating one for them sharing the points with Inter Lions at home. They have started a lot of fixtures well in recent times without putting sides to bed afterwards which allowed Inter to get an equaliser next week. Last weeks goalscorer Adil Toska a player to watch here.
Hakoah FC were able to secure an important victory in round nine action which gave them a buffer over the bottom two. It came from a good start against Hills United scoring twice around the 20th minute in an otherwise tight contest. Last weekend also seeing Eli Sheard return to the pitch after a few weeks out. They’ll be hoping to build on that result here chasing their third win of the season.
Bulls FC Academy v Central Coast Mariners; Saturday 11 April, 7pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
It’s an academy showdown as Bulls FC Academy host Central Coast Mariners this Saturday evening. Bulls FC Academy have lost their last two games against Dulwich Hill and Bankstown City in back-to-back weeks. Most recent of which saw the young academy side fall just short against Bankstown City despite a Henrique Oliveira goal in the second half which brought them level.
Central Coast Mariners broke their poor form with a shock win against Northern Tigers away from home. Now sitting on twelve points, they can breath a little easier ahead of this game. Cooper Hall is a promising talent for the Mariners who gave them the lead before Laurence Taylor scored the winner with ten minutes left. Coach Philippe Bernabo-Madrid crediting their start as a big contributor for the win.
Western City Rangers v Dulwich Hill; Saturday 11 April, 7pm, Popondetta Park
All of a sudden, this has turned into a big game at the wrong end of the table. Backing up for their third fixture in the week will be Western City Rangers. At the time of writing, they have tasted three straight defeats including a 4-3 loss to Newcastle Jets last weekend. Struggling with a number of injuries of late, this week looks a tough one for Warren Grieve and his side.
This looks like a tough game for them as well as Dulwich Hill have hit some form securing back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026. Last weekend, they came from behind to get the better of Hurstville Zagreb. A clear standout in that game being Jacob Palamidas whose performance was described as outstanding rewarded with a brace.
By Justin Smith
