Gaffney Match Preview: Essendon Royals look for consistency at La Trobe University

The red-hot Essendon Royals are hitting the road this weekend as they prepare for their next assignment at La Trobe University SC.

The Royals will be out to keep pace with the front-runners in the Women’s State League 1 North-West and ensure they are within touching distance when the big games against Brunswick Juventus and Spring Hills Stallions roll around again.

Despite being newcomers to the league, La Trobe has shown that they are no pushovers, however.

From the University’s eight games this season, it has shown to be no easybeats, winning five, drawing one and losing two games so far in 2022 and sit in fourth place on the league.

La Trobe has struggled against the top two teams, however.

Whilst they have won three of their last five, the two losses did come against Brunswick and Spring Hills, losing 7-1 and 8-0 respectively, with both of those fixtures being played at home.

The Royals will be keen to post a similar scoreline on Sunday, but will know they will need to bring their A-game to achieve it.

Coach Vince Battiato has obliterated any sense of complacency in his team and knows he will need to continue to demand the highest of standards from his players, despite their incredible run of form.

The Royals have won all of their last five games, smashing in an incredible 33 goals in those games, conceding just two.

It is the depth of talent that has made the Royals so formidable over the recent weeks, with the goals and assists being shared evenly around the squad, coupled with the incredible defensive resiliency of the backline that has been equal to every challenge thrown at it in recent weeks.

The Royals ability to see out the tough moments and maximise their periods of dominance has been key to this run of form and Battiato will be keen to ensure this pattern continues in the coming weeks.

Frighteningly for the opposition, the Royals Reserves are in even more impressive form.

Featuring a mix of the club’s most promising under-16 players and talented under-21s, the Royals Reserves have a goal difference of +68 after just eight games.

Their last five games have delivered an outrageous return of 56 goals, with just two goals conceded.

La Trobe’s Reserves sit fourth on the table with a record of 3-2-2 from the seven games recorded on the league table thus far.

MATCH DETAILS

Football Victoria Women’s State League 1 North-West – Round 9

La Trobe University v Essendon Royals

Sunday 19 June

La Trobe University, Bundoora

Reserves 1 pm

Seniors 3 pm

AROUND THE GROUNDS

It is a packed round of Sunday fixtures in Round 9 of the Women’s State League 1 North-West competition.

League leaders Brunswick Juventus travel to battlers Craigieburn City FC, where the expectation will be to win big.

North Geelong Warriors host FC Clifton Hill in what looks to be an even contest, Bundoora United will welcome Elwood City FC, whilst Spring Hills FC will travel to Keilor Park SC.