Essendon Mazda Coach’s Comment: Battiato excited for South Yarra challenge
Essendon Royals Senior Women’s Coach Vince Battiato is ready for the biggest test of his reign thus far when his side takes on Victorian Women’s Premier League outfit South Yarra in the Nike FC Cup on Saturday.
The Royals progressed through to Round 4 courtesy of a massive 8-1 win over Fawkner on Saturday, in a performance that had plenty of positives for Battiato, despite a poor start.
“It was dominant last week, but it was a poor start,” he said.
“It’s the only game we’ve had a poor start so far, but I was happy with the reaction and it was good from the point of view of kicking us into action. Fawkner was good value for the early goal and they took it well.”
Another early slip-up would be harder to recover from on Saturday against a quality South Yarra side, but Battiato said the club’s pre-season had prepared them for games like this against higher-division opponents.
“We took the hard games in pre-season on purpose,” he said.
“We played Bayside from the NPL and three VWPL teams to prepare us to begin the season and I can’t think of a better challenge for us than South Yarra.
“We’ve kept three clean sheets thus far and we’re looking to do the same against South Yarra this week.”
Those three clean sheets were attained before the club had managed to bring in former Canberra United goalkeeper Beth Mason-Jones.
“Having a very solid keeper behind a solid backline gives us huge confidence,” he said.
“She felt she could come and make a contribution and a difference, and she liked the idea of what we are trying to do in terms of building a project to win the title and become immediately competitive in the next division over the next few years.”
Despite the great form, the girls take into the game and the addition of Mason-Jones, Angie Rassias – who also made her debut last week – and Daniella Gudelj – Battiato said no one was taking South Yarra lightly.
“They’re a very good side and they’re a good side because they’ve got half-a-dozen players who have been at the club and the spine of the club for a number of years,” he said.
“When players come and go, they always have this spine to build around.
One player who could make a difference for the Royals is Mary Hubeek.
The all-action forward has been in fine-form all pre-season and capped off her official debut with a brace last week.
Hubeek has also recently been selected to play for the Australian women’s futsal team at the IFA World Championship in September.
“Mary was the first signing I bought to the club and I’ve known her for some time,” Battiato said.
“She’s not a 100 per-center, she’s a 1000 per-center. She works hard all the time and I’m thrilled she’s made the Australian futsal team. She’s our most in-form striker in what’s a potent attacking force.
“I’m hoping she has a stellar season with us and then she can take that form to represent Australia in futsal in Spain.”