THE GEELONG HOLIDAY INN & SUITES ROYALS MEN’S MATCH PREVIEW: Essendon Royals make trek to Shepparton in search of win against Goulburn Valley Suns
As the Essendon Royals embark on the two-hour journey to Shepparton, they find themselves in pursuit of their elusive first win of the season against Goulburn Valley Suns.
It’s been a tough week for the Royals, with their exit from the Australia Cup at the hands of South Springvale, followed by a loss to Melbourne Victory. However, hope springs eternal for coach Mick Ferrante, who remains encouraged by the wealth of chances his side continues to create.
The upcoming challenge against the Suns will test the team’s mettle, as the relegated NPL2 side has adapted well to the lower division. With two wins and two losses in their opening four games, the Suns are a formidable adversary.
Their recent 2-1 victory over Ballarat City, snapping a two-game losing streak, showcased the Suns’ resilience. A player to watch is Russell Currie, who has proven to be a potent goal threat, netting five goals in just four games this season.
The Royals, however, have a new weapon in their arsenal. New Irish signing Dean Clarke made a notable impact in their previous match against Victory, assisting Nobuyuki Usui in scoring the team’s sole goal shortly after stepping onto the field.
Of course, the Royals fortunes rely on more than any one individual and coach Ferrante will be seeking improvement across the board this week.
The match is also interesting to note as Royals midfielder/defender and A-Leagues legend Vince Lia will be playing in his home region of the Goulburn Valley for the first time since he was a junior.
Lia left the region in pursuit of professional football at a young age and went onto enjoy a remarkable career at the top of the game in Australia, spanning both the National Soccer League and A-League eras.
He played a total of 259 A-League games, representing Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix, Adelaide United and Perth Glory.
For those not making the trip to Shepparton, the Goulburn Valley Suns are expected to stream the game on their Facebook page.