NJL Match Report: Essendon Royals overcome stuttering start to defeat Fawkner SC in Nike FC Cup
Despite a rocky start to their Nike FC Cup third-round tie, Essendon Royals proved too good for Fawkner SC, running out 8-1 winners after going a goal behind.
The Royals shared the goals around as Lydia Schifferegger (2), Jacinta Da Cruz, Mary Hubeek (2), Rachel Alonso, Marie Rampal and Marcela Marques all getting on the scoresheet in a game that featured no fewer than 10 debutants in the starting XI.
Despite the eventually comfortable scoreline, it was in fact the Blues who struck first, going 1-0 up in just the fourth minute catching the Royals completely unawares.
The goal did serve a purpose in waking the home side up, with the Royals quickly taking the ascendancy from their opponents.
Da Cruz and Linda Sawa were the quickest to respond with several efforts just missing the goal, but Schifferegger equalised in the 15th minute, finding the back of the net from some way out.
It was 2-1 by the 22nd minute, with Da Cruz finishing a beautiful solo-run with a well-struck effort to evade the Fawkner keeper.
‘Schiff’ had her second less than three minutes later, as the relentless pressing of the Royals forced a turnover in Fawkner’s half.
The returning Royals midfielder was quickest to react, spotting the Fawkner keeper out of position and quickly adjusting to find the back of the net from range once again.
Less than 60 seconds later, it was 3-1 as Hubeek scored her first goal for the club by putting the finishing touches on an incredible run and cross from Rampal down the right flank.
After a short drinks break, Fawkner almost pulled one back, with a long-range effort just evading the top post and past a relieved Beth Mason-Jones, who remained untroubled throughout the game.
In the 43rd minute, Rampal made it 5-1 with a beautiful strike from range after a smart switch of play from Schifferegger found the Royals wing-back unmarked.
Rampal charged into the space ahead of her, keeping her back-tracking opponent at bay and blasting home from range with what was perhaps the pick of the bunch on the day.
Despite taking a comfortable 5-1 win lead into the break, the Royals showed no signs of letting up in the second half, with relentless pressing the order of the day for Vince Battiato’s team.
The Royals got their rewards for effort in the 53rd, 59th and 68th minutes, with Alonso, Hubeek and Marques scoring respectively.
Alonso’s came on the back of more stellar work down the Royals right flank, with Marques’ goal coming off the back of a lovely chipped through-ball, which she controlled beautifully on the run with her chest before slotting home.
Sandwiched between their efforts, Hubeek scored her second with another well-taken finish at the far post.
The full-time whistle was greeted by cheers from the home team and their supporters, after a near-complete performance.
The slow start may give coach Battiato something to think about, but the quality on show for the remainder of the season will fill the new Royals coach with confidence for the season ahead.
Fawkner, to their credit, were outstanding opponents and kept pushing all day.
The Royals now progress to the fourth round of the Nike FC Cup and will await news of their next opponent.