Gaffney Match Preview: Essendon Royals take on Cragieburn City under Friday Night Lights

Essendon Royals will be looking to continue their surge up the table in the Women’s State League 1 North-West when they welcome Craigieburn City FC to Cross Keys Reserve on Friday night.

After a tough opening set of fixtures, the Royals have put themselves back in promotion contention with two wins from their last two games and are now just three points off league leaders Moreland Zebras.

The Zebras defeated FC Spring Hills last week, creating a spread of five teams separated by just three points in the division.

However, the Royals have looked in fearsome form when taking on teams outside of the top two in State League 1 this season, having dismantled Elwood City in round one by nine goals, as well as defeating third-placed FC Clifton Hill 6-0 two weeks ago, before a dominant 3-1 win away to North Geelong last weekend.

Despite the scoreline, the Royals had several chances to extend that lead and realistically could have won by a bigger margin.

Friday’s opponents Craigieburn are new to the division in 2022 and have found it tough going most weeks, with just the one point from their first five games.

The point was won against fellow newcomers, La Trobe University, with Craigieburn struggling to keep the goals out in defence.

With 16 goals conceded in just five games, a potent Royals attack should prove another big test for Craigieburn.

It is a similar tale in the Reserves.

The Royals Reserves sit top of the table five rounds in with five wins, scoring 23 goals in the process.

Craigieburn, on the other hand, has conceded 53 goals in that space of time.

The Royals, as always, will respect their opposition, however, for both teams, three points will be seen as a non-negotiable within the camp as Vince Battiato’s squad looks to deliver on hefty ambitions in 2022.

MATCH DETAILS

Football Victoria Women’s State League 1 North-West – Round 6

Essendon Royals vs Craigieburn City

Friday 27 May

Cross Keys Reserve 

Reserves 6.30 pm

Seniors 8.30 pm

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The Royals and Craigieburn are not the only teams in action on Friday night.

In Caroline Springs, the Spring Hill Stallions will welcome FC Clifton Hill in a second-versus-third clash.

Elsewhere, league leaders Moreland Zebras travel to La Trobe University, whilst Elowood City welcome North Geelong Warriors and Bundoora United hosts Keilor Park.