NJL Match Report: Royals triumph over Bundoora
The Essendon Royals State 1 Women faced one of their sternest tests of the season in the penultimate round against Bundoora. They faced a mountain of set backs in a game where a result was paramount to remain in the second place promotion spot with just one round to play.
A nasty wind in their faces in the first half putting them under immense pressure, some spiteful tackling from the opposition and some dubious and sometimes puzzling refereeing decisions made the afternoon a difficult one from from get-go. Add to that an 18th minute Bundoora free-kick, which aided by the conditions, was tough to handle for stand-in keeper Marcela Marques.
Marques had done great to parry the shot, but it was bundled home by the hosts. Bundoora in front early, the Royals with plenty to do. Despite dominating the football and missing several chances in the first half, the Royals found themselves 1-0 down at the break on a day they needed to win. And it wasn’t being helped by other results not going in their favour at the break and a great season threatened to be derailed on one windy afternoon at Hillside.
But Royals showed the metal that has carried them through all season; a steely resolve to go with the thrilling brand of football that they’ve become known for this season. Now with the wind in their backs, Royals dominated early in the second half and it took just 12 minutes of sustained pressure before tireless striker Mary Hubeek managed to win a 50-50 ball with Bundoora keeper, the clash leaving both players hurt, but the ball bouncing favourably for Royals striker Linda Sawa to crash home the equaliser from 6 yards against her old club.
After several minutes of treatment for Elizabeth Eyer in the Bundoora goal, Royals resumed their domination, stretching the hosts’ defence by using the width of the pitch well with Marie Rampal and Sarah Karlik on the right and left respectfully making life hard for the hosts. And it took just 10 more minutes for Royals to find their lead; a nasty tackle giving them a free-kick well outside the box.
Rachel Alonso stepped up to take it and despite the distance, spotted the keeper slightly off her line and sent the ball high and deep, the ball sailing into the far top corner, for a stunning strike to put the Royals in front. The Royals continued to dominate but failed to take any more chances, and minus a couple of late scares, Alonso’s stunning free kick was a deserved winner.
A gutsy come-from-behind 2-1 win under difficult conditions, the Royals Women proved once again that they deserve to be in the promotion spots, a point at home in the final match next week will be enough to secure promotion.