NJL Match Report: Essendon Royals run riot at Cross Keys Reserve against Bundoora United
Another 24 goals were plundered home at Cross Keys Reserve courtesy of the Essendon Royals women’s teams on Sunday night.
Bundoora United were the unlucky visitors as they came up against two rampant Royals women’s teams, with the senior women winning 9-1 and the Reserves winning 15-0.
The Senior Women had earmarked Bundoora as a potential banana skin ahead of the game.
Bundoora has pushed some of the league’s front-runners this season and coach Vince Battiato was keen to impress on his players that its position on the ladder was not a true indication of its quality.
And the Royals were in for a tough contest in the first half.
The game got off to a solid start with Mary Hubeek opening the scoring after just 11 minutes after a superb run and ball from Marie Rampal down the right flank.
However, despite the goal, Bundoora was up for the challenge and got stuck in at every opportunity. They eventually equalized in the 33rd minute courtesy of Chloe Gatt.
The goal sprung the Royals back into life and Linda Sawa made it 2-1 in the 40th minute after some great work from Hubeek to set up the chance.
The Royals took the break into the half, but still had some stern words from coach Battiato to contend with as he looked to inspire a much-improved second half.
Whatever was said, worked, as the Royals came out firing in the second half, thanks in large part to the incredible body of work being done by Annabel Hosking to break up Bundoora’s play and get the Royals moving forward from the middle of the park.
A cross-turned-shot from Rampal found the back of the net in the 46th minute.
Rampal had her second assist of the night in the 55th minute when a lovely ball from Marcela Marques played her behind to tee up Hubeek for her second goal of the night.
One minute later, Bundoora had the ball in the back of their own net with an unfortunate own goal, once again thanks to a dangerous ball from Rampal.
Rachel Alonso scored her customary goal of the evening in the 68th minute, putting away Rampal’s third assist of the night.
Rebecca Davies converted a penalty in the 80th minute, with the last two goals of the night coming from Lydia Schifferegger, the first assisted by Sawa and the second assisted by Bruna Silva.
Silva was also ever-present in the earlier kick-off with the Reserves where she scored two goals.
Danielle Maugeri was the chief destroyer for the Reserves, as she hammered in six goals.
Kiana Kyriazis scored five goals in another impressive performance with the other two goals coming from Katrina Tsalikidis and young-gun Lola Ferrante.
The Royals now turn their attention to next week’s trip to La Trobe University.