NJL Match Report: Essendon Royals triumph over Yarraville
Essendon Royals secured an important win in State League 1 North-West on Saturday night, defeating Yarraville Glory FC 3-1 at Cross Keys Reserve.
A Graham Kelly brace sandwiched Ryan McEvoy’s second goal in as many games to confirm the win for the Royals.
With wins being recorded earlier in the day by Caroline Springs George Cross and Brimbank Stallions, the Royals knew that even at this stage of the season, keeping the three points at home would be crucial.
The job for coaches Mick Ferrante and Davey Van’t Schip was not made easier by a number of players being ruled out during the week with illness and injury.
This meant a number of players had to back up with a second game in just four days, following the midweek Australia Cup win over Moreland Zebras.
An unchanged back-four of Kristian Konstantinidis, Greg Lombardo, Will Abbott and Jack Warrick played behind the unchanged midfield trio of Matteo Ballan, McEvoy and Kelly, with Davet Van’t Schip and Mo Abbas coming in for James Brown – who missed the game completely – and Ziyad El-Tahir.
Abbas was forced off early, however, with El-Tahir coming back into the forward line and going on to play a key role in the win.
Kelly opened the scoring in the 40th minute, volleying home at the far post to finish off a beautifully delivered cross from Warrick to send the Royals into the break 1-0 up.
Yarraville came out with a point to prove in the second half and equalised in the 53rd minute via Shariff Abdul Karim to set up what had the potential to be a nervy second half for the home side.
McEvoy restored the lead in the 69th minute, when he headed home from a lovely cross from El-Tahir.
The young forward was crucial to the third and final goal too. With the Royals pressing incessantly in look of the third goal to kill the game, El-Tahir won the ball high up the pitch and earned a free-kick 25 yards out.
Kelly took care of the rest, dispatching the free-kick brilliantly to seal the win.
In the earlier game, the Royals Reserves were back to their dominant best, dispatching of the Glory 5-1.
With the senior team beset by injuries and illness, it was a super effort from the club’s junior ranks with members of our under-18 JBNPL squad stepping up to assist the Reserves.
The Royals fell behind to a 25th-minute strike from Green Ibrahim, but the goal only served to kick the Royals into gear.
Ahmed Elmi levelled the scores after 38 minutes, before a second-half goal-fest.
Marcus Medina made it 2-1 after 51 minutes, Joseph Guerrera and Arjin Bagdas scored in the 51st and 69th minutes respectively, before substitute Fabian Fotopoulos sealed the 5-1 win.
After a busy week, the Royals will look to recover and recuperate ahead of a Moonee Valley derby next Friday night against FC Strathmore.