NJL Match Report: Royals secure back-to-back 5-0 wins
The Essendon Royals passed another significant test on the path to promotion with flying colours, defeating North Geelong Warriors 5-0 at Cross Keys Reserve on Sunday night.
The Warriors put up a strong resistance in the first half of the game before the Royals kicked out of second gear in the final 45 minutes.
A Linda Sawa hat-trick and a brace from Mary Hubeek as well as two critical saves from Beth Mason-Jones at crucial times proved the ultimate difference between the two sides.
The Royals had to make do without form A-Leagues star Rachel Alonso who has been both a goalscoring and creative force for Vince Battiato’s side, adding an even greater sense of significance to the result and the performance.
It did take until the 41st minute for the deadlock to be broken, with the Royals pushing hard but finding themselves locked out of goal by a stubborn North Geelong defence and a number of tight offside goals.
When it eventually came, the goal was delivered by Mary Hubeek to ensure the Royals took a deserved lead into the break.
Mason-Jones was forced into action and made an important save early in the second half to keep the Royals ahead, before Sawa begun her goalscoring efforts for the night at the other end.
Her first goal came in the 65th minute, before striking again in the 73rd minute.
Hubeek made it 4-0 in the 83rd minute, before Sawa sealed the result with her third and the Royals’ fifth at the 85-minute mark.
Coach Battiato was thrilled with the result and the performance.
“It was a good first half, but we were a bit wasteful,” he said.
“We did have five or six good chances but we were putting them too close to the keeper, but it was good to get that goal late in the half and take a lead into the break, because we knew the pressure was on us to get the win.
“It was a superb second half. It was just absolutely polished, and it made for a comfortable 5-0 win in the end.”
In the earlier kick-off, the Royals Reserves ran out comfortable 7-2 winners as their perfect run continues this season.
The Royals are tightening their grip on the league title.
Teenager Lola Ferrante bagged four goals, another remarkable achievement for a player who started their season playing Under-16 football.
Ivana Ovcaric continued her brilliant season, scoring another two goals, whilst Katrina Tsalikidis was also on the scoresheet.