As the FNSW League One Men’s season enters the winter months, the action is heating up in round 17 action across Friday and Saturday night.
Our match of the round takes us to Popondetta Park for the first time in a while as the Town Rangers look to return to the summit. While elsewhere there is plenty to look forward too around the grounds. Check out the preview below.
Match of the Round: Mt Druitt Town Rangers v SD Raiders; Saturday 1st June, 7pm, Popondetta Park
After losing their position on top of the table, Mt Druitt Town Rangers will look to bounce back in our match of the round when they host SD Raiders at Popondetta Park.
Having dropped a few points of late, Mt Druitt Town Rangers drew last weekend against Bonnyrigg White Eagles while SD Raiders scored an injury time goal to rescue a point against Canterbury Bankstown.
This will be a welcome return home for the Town Rangers who have had a mixed set of results in a three game road trip. Still, four points from said run of games isn’t an awful return and they’ll be confident that they can return to the winners circle here.
In said game against Bonnyrigg White Eagles, they were perhaps unfortunate to not get all three points creating numerous chances throughout that one. They took the lead from a Andre Martins penalty won by Garang Awac. While Malcolm Ward and Daniel Wong could be players to watch in this one. A win here could see them return to the top of the table if results go their way.
They face an SD Raiders side who could well see this as a chance to make a statement. It’s been a frustrating first half of the season for Goran Ljuboja’s side who sit in 9th position after sixteen rounds but one moment from last weekend could be the moment to change their fortunes.
Said moment occurred in injury time with goalkeeper Mario Aleksic* rising highest to head home from a corner to equalise against Canterbury Bankstown. Prior to that, Noah Chianese found the back of the net while Mihael Marcic is also worth keeping an eye on. Ljuboja will want his side to show more concentration this weekend after they conceded straight after scoring first last weekend.
Last time these two met, Mt Druitt Town Rangers walked away with the points with a 1-0 victory. They will be looking to repeat that here with the match available to stream on the Football NSW youtube page under the live tab.
Other Features
Nepean FC v Macarthur Rams; Friday 31st May, 8pm, Cook Park (St Marys)
Having broken their losing streak last weekend, Nepean FC host Macarthur Rams this Friday night in search of a long awaited victory.
It’s another case of a game where something has to give after the two sides played out a scoreless draw back in round two.
We’ll start with the hosts who secured their first point in six games last weekend against fellow promoted side UNSW FC. A contest where both goalkeepers dominated proceedings, they will hope they can turn it into three this weekend.
And if they are going to survive, it’s games like this which provide them the opportunity as they sit eight points behind Dulwich Hill in 14th with a game in hand. Look out once again for Mitchell King, Luka Zepina and Matthew Crossley who have recently returned to the side.
They face a Macarthur Rams side who will be looking to redeem their form from the past month of action. Four straight defeats has them sat 13th in the competition after sixteen games. Last weekend going down to Bulls FC Academy at home.
Indeed scoring goals has been particularly challenging for the Rams throughout the season as they have hit the back of the net just 14 times this season with only two in their last four games. Avoiding defeat here is important if they don’t want to be dragged into a relegation fight.
Bulls FC Academy v Dulwich Hill; Saturday 1st June, 3pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
Our new competition leaders Bulls FC Academy host another last start winner in Dulwich Hill in our early Saturday kick off.
The first meeting between these two saw Bulls FC Academy walk away with a 3-1 victory at Arlington Oval so it will be a good measuring stick to where both these sides are at.
Taking first spot on the standings last week, Bulls FC Academy will be keen to consolidate their position with another victory this weekend. Three on the bounce, it was a different kind of victory against in the local derby with Macarthur Rams last weekend.
Joel Bertolissio scored the solitary goal in the fixture to cap off a good individual performance. While Frans Deli was perhaps the best player on the park. Just two names of many to keep an eye on this weekend as they look to kick on.
They face a Dulwich Hill side rejuvenated after their first victory since round ten last weekend. That victory relieved the pressure on this weeks visitors who now find themselves six points above the bottom two after 16 rounds.
Let’s return to their victory over Blacktown Spartans, Steve Kuzmanovski was influential in attack. While Daniel Fornito proved a good avenue to goal with a brace. Emmanuel Zervas and Goncalo Paradanta adding to the scoreline in the second half. It’s a free hit for Tony Valavanis’ side, can they secure a season best victory here?
Quickfire Previews
Blacktown Spartans v Dunbar Rovers; Friday 31st May, 8pm, Blacktown Football Park
May has been an up and down month for Blacktown Spartans who sit firmly planted in mid table. Last weekend, they lost for the sixth time this season at the hands of Dulwich Hill, an Angus Chance equaliser in the first half a rare highlight. Returning home for a game in which they are favourites, expect to see a response here.
They face a Dunbar Rovers side who proved they are capable of securing a result against the odds last weekend. Up against Hakoah, they took a 2-0 lead through a Samuel Tzanakes brace before being pegged back late. Plenty of positives coming out of that, they could well go one better in this one Friday night.
Previous Meeting: Dunbar Rovers 3-4 Blacktown Spartans
Canterbury Bankstown v Hakoah FC; Saturday 1st June, 5pm, Jensen Park
Back-to-back draws have somewhat halted Canterbury Bankstown’s rise up the table. Last weekend, they were on the end of a freak goalkeeper equaliser after a brace for Brendon Mandizvidza put them ahead with just over 20 minutes remaining. A win here would see them bridge the gap to the top four.
Their opponents Hakoah FC are arguably there for the taking this weekend. One point in their past two games, they left it late to grab a draw against Dunbar Rovers last time out. Jayden Tran and George Tuson-Firth both scored after the 85th minute, they’ll be hoping to not leave it so late in this one.
Previous Meeting: Hakoah FC 3-2 Canterbury Bankstown
Northern Tigers v Bankstown City; Saturday 1st June, 6:30pm, North Turramurra Recreation Area
Firmly planted in mid-table, Northern Tigers return home with hopes of denting the charge of their opponents this weekend. Three games without a win, they drew with Rydalmere Lions last weekend courtesy of a goal to Lachlan Lloyd. They have good memories of the first meeting between the two, can they back it up here?
It’s a different proposition to that encounter however as Bankstown City are now the form side in the competition. Flawless in their last five games, they came away victorious from their meeting with Inter Lions last weekend. Chris Payne was prominent in the second half joined by Andrej Poljcic and Rhett Desilva who also found the back of the net.
Previous Meeting: Bankstown City 1-4 Northern TIgers
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Rydalmere Lions; Saturday 1st June, 7pm, Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Hosting their second home game of eight, Bonnyrigg White Eagles take to the field looking to go one better this weekend. Back to back draws including one against the then top of the table Mt Druitt Town Rangers, there is reason to be confident of such here. And in a welcome throwback last weekend, Aaron Peterson found the back of the net in his first start this season.
This one is a good yard stick for their opponents Rydalmere Lions. Much improved, they played well last weekend against Northern TIgers and were perhaps unlucky not to get the three points. Controlling the game in terms of posession, both Isaac Cunningham and Marcus Lal added to their 2024 accounts. Can they stretch this unbeaten run to four?
Previous Meeting: Rydalmere Lions 0-1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Inter Lions v UNSW FC; Saturday 1st June, 7pm, Majors Bay Reserve
It’s been a tough little period for Inter Lions who have lost their past three games in league and cup. Last weekend in league action, they looked in control after the first half against Bankstown City but couldn’t get the job done, Ollie Green’s goal the highlight of their performance. We know this squad has a strong character, can they roar back to winning ways here.
Like their opponents for this one, UNSW FC weren’t at their best in round 16 action. With the squad battling illness in the lead up to their game against Nepean, goalkeeper Charles Samushonga stood up for the students earning them a point. While substitutes Thomas Quilligan and Jeremy Cox combined for the goal, Quilligan returning to familiar territory for this one.
Previous Meeting: UNSW FC 2-1 Inter Lions
By Justin Smith