Women’s Match Preview: Essendon Royals take on Bayside Argonauts in Nike FC Cup

The Essendon Royals will commence their Nike FC Cup campaign this Friday night as they head to Clayton to take on the Bayside Argonauts.

The Royals enter the Victorian cup competition in the third round as a VPLW club and will be hopeful of a strong start to their competitive season when they take on the State League 2 Bayside outfit.

Bayside proved easy winners in their Round 2 clash, dispatching State League 4 opponents 6-0.

The goals came from four individual goalscorers, as well as an own goal.

Ana Botsioulis scored a brace for the Argonauts and could be one to watch for the Royals.

The away trip is a lengthy one for the Royals, but Senior Women’s Coach Vince Battiato will have plenty of options to deploy as he eyes off a deep run in the Cup in 2023.

The Senior Women have significantly strengthened ahead of their debut campaign in the VPLW and there could be a number of debuts for the Royals on the night, with no less than 10 new senior players added to the squad.

Battiato saw the Argonauts first-hand on Monday night and said he expected a tough test on Friday night.

“They’re a very sharp and good young side,” he said.

“I’ve known their coach for a few years and he has them well-drilled, so they’ll give us a decent test.

“I would hope that being three divisions above them, that we should be able to negotiate them, but I won’t be going into this – or any – game underestimating the opponent.”

Battiato said he was juggling the usual selection issues that come with managing a big squad, but he was grateful to have a good array of players for selection.

The game kicks off at Monash University in Clayton at 8.00 pm