CSF Match Preview: Essendon Royals host FC Clifton Hill in season-defining fixtures
The Essendon Royals Senior Men’s program remains on the edge of special achievements in Season 2022. Still, with four difficult games to navigate between now and the end of the season, no one is getting ahead of themselves.
With the Senior and Reserves Men sitting in second and third place, respectively, both sides have the chance to achieve at the very least promotion and a title, but to stay on that road, three points against FC Clifton Hill on Friday night will be non-negotiable for Senior Coach Mick Ferrante and Reserves Coach Mick Giacomi.
The Royals have been one of the competition’s form sides in the back half of the season. After a stuttering first half of the season, a strong finish will deliver promotion to NPL3.
FC Clifton Hill comes to Cross Keys as the bottom side in the competition, but a side that is increasingly desperate for points as they fight tooth and nail for survival in the competition.
With just three games remaining for Clifton Hill, there’s no denying that three points will be of the utmost importance to them, particularly with their closest rivals, FC Strathmore, having two games in hand.
Anything less than a win could be the visitors’ final nail in the coffin.
The Royals come into the game off the back of a crucial 4-2 win over Corio SC, which in all fairness, probably should have been much more comfortable on the scoresheet.
Clifton Hill, on the other hand, is reeling from a 3-1 defeat at home to league leaders Caroline Springs George Cross.
The last time these two sides met, the Royals ran out 3-0 winners at Quarries Park, in a game that featured a memorable chipped effort from Matteo Ballan.
The Royals continue to battle with injuries and unavailability but have demonstrated significant squad depth to manage any absences throughout the campaign, particularly over the last few weeks.
In the early kick-off, the Reserves need a win to try and catch the front-runners.
The Royals do have a game in hand on the top two sides, Corio and Altona City, but failure to beat the second-bottom Clifton Hill outfit could render that game meaningless in the title race, depending on results this weekend.
Ensure you join us at Cross Keys to see the boys in action for two crucial, season-defining games!
MATCH DETAILS
Football Victoria Men’s State League 1 North-West – Round 20
Essendon Royals v FC Clifton Hill
Friday 29 July
Cross Keys Reserve
Reserves 630 pm
Seniors 830 pm
AROUND THE GROUNDS
After the Royals kick-off the round on Friday night, a lot of attention will be on the Brimbank Stallions v Sydenham Park affair at Club Italia on Saturday.
Brimbank is seven points off the second-placed Royals, whilst Sydenham is four points off the Royals, meaning this is a potentially defining game in the overall promotion race.
The Stallions need to win to have any hope of achieving their promotion dream. A loss for Sydenham would be a massive blow for their chances. A draw does neither side many favours in the event of a Royals win on Friday night.
Elsewhere, FC Strathmore head to FC Corio in a crucial game for their survival hopes, whilst Banyule City will be looking to keep their promotion dream alive when they host Whittlesea United at Yallambie Park.
On Saturday evening, league leaders Caroline Springs George Cross hosts Keilor Park, whilst Altona City is at home against Yarraville Glory.