CSF Match Preview: Essendon Royals open State League 1 campaign with trip to Banyule City
Essendon Royals will kick-off their Football Victoria State League 1 Men’s North-West campaign away to a new-look Banyule City on Saturday.
The Royals enter the league campaign off the back of a strong pre-season with a big emphasis on fitness and a competitive mix of games against State League 1 South-East and National Premier Leagues opposition, as well as a strong showing in a 2-1 win over Caroline Springs George Cross in the Australia Cup.
After the loss of the 2020 and 2021 campaigns due to COVID19, there is a sense of anticipation around the club ahead of what everyone hopes will be a fulfilled campaign in what is always one of the toughest league competitions in the state.
Renowned for its tough grounds and even tougher tackles, the State League 1 North-West competition throws up a huge variety of styles and grounds – and few fixtures epitomise that as much as the trip to Banyule.
Yallambie Park has earned a reputation as something of a fortress, but it is a ground where the Royals have traditionally enjoyed success.
The Royals have won on their last four visits to Banyule, the last of which came in 2019 when the Royals ran out 6-0 winners, with current senior player Graham Kelly among the goalscorers, alongside hat-trick hero Joel Nikolic.
Despite the positive record, this is not a game the Royals will be taking lightly, facing a new-look Bulls outfit, led by newly appointed coach, Dom Barba.
The Bulls have assembled a squad featuring a range of players with NPL and even overseas experience.
Ethan Gage, Daniel Collison, Brandon Costa, Zane Sole and former Bolton Wanderers player Jordan Boon were all announced as having joined the club ahead of the 2022 season.
Banyule cruised through their Australia Cup Round 3 tie against lower-league Skye United, winning 4-0.
On the day, only Collison started the game from the club’s pool of new talent, with Costa starting the game on the bench.
The goals came from Lars Anton Kannider (2), Ismael Mohamed and Troy Pennycooke-Morgan.
Pennycooke-Morgan did score against the Royals in their sole meeting in 2021, grabbing the first goal at Cross Keys Reserve, before the Royals recovered to win 3-1 courtesy of an equaliser from Julio Beltran and a brace from Davey Van’t Schip.
The Royals will be coached by the Mick Ferrante and Van’t Schip combo, with Men’s Senior Coach Vitale Ferrante on leave.
With no injuries to report from the cup tie against Caroline Springs George Cross, the Royals head into the game with a wealth of options to choose from.
MATCH DETAILS
Banyule City v Essendon Royals
Saturday 19 March
Yallambie Park Reserve, Kardinia Drive (Yallambie Park Carpark Dr), Yallambie
Reserves: 12.15 PM | Seniors: 3 PM
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Elsewhere in State League 1 North-West, there will be plenty of intrigue to see how Caroline Springs George Cross recover from their cup exit at the hand of the Royals when they travel to Yarraville FC.
Brimbank Stallions welcome Corio SC to Club Italia looking to pick up where they left off in the cancelled 2021 season, whilst FC Clifton Hill will take on Altona City at Quarries Park.
Sydenham Park makes the short trip to Keilor Park Recreation Reserve to take on Keilor Park, whilst the round will be closed out with newcomers FC Strathmore heading to Whittlesea United on Sunday.