Lifespan Osteopathy Match Report: Royals earn first point in NPL3 in dramatic affair at Stead Park
The Essendon Royals have a point on the board following Saturday night’s dramatic 2-2 draw away to Geelong SC at Stead Park.
The Royals put in their best performance of the season against a tricky opponent on Saturday, with goals from Ryan McEvoy and Davey Van’t Schip ensuring the visitors left Geelong with a share of the spoils.
The game was also notable for the starting debut of James Grassett in midfield, making him the third junior product in as many rounds to make their debut in the Men’s senior team, following on from debuts from Julian Napolitano and Luke Croce in Round 1.
Grassett’s performance was another highlight of the game and a great endorsement of the work being done within the club’s Junior Boys National Premier Leagues program.
Geelong took an early lead in the 14th minute with a stunning free-kick by Taira Yoshimura, who curled the ball around the wall and into the far post. However, the Royals quickly responded in the 22nd minute when Ryan McEvoy reacted fastest to a parried Luca Santilli header, levelling the score.
Geelong regained the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Trajkoski’s fiercely struck effort from the edge of the box. Despite the setback, the Royals continued to push forward and were rewarded for their efforts in the 85th minute when Davey Van’t Schip converted a late penalty. Van’t Schip himself had won the spot-kick after some outstanding link-up play and dribbling to draw the foul.
The match saw the Royals score their first goals and secure their first point of the season. Interestingly, Geelong managed to score with their only two shots on target, while the Royals had six shots on target throughout the game.
The draw moves the Royals off the foot of the table, leaving Ballarat City and Box Hill United as the only NPL3 teams without any points this season.
Looking ahead, the Royals face a busy week with a midweek Australia Cup clash against a State League 1 South-East side, followed by a league encounter against Melbourne Victory’s NPL3 team at Cross Keys on Saturday. The Royals will look to build on their improved performance and continue their climb up the NPL3 ladder.
In the earlier kick-off, the Under-21s also continued their perfect start to the season, picking up a 1-0 win.
The Royals hit the lead through Daniel Taubitz in the 48th minute and held on to secure a third win from three games, which came at the expense of Geelong’s own perfect start to the season.