Women’s Match Report: Royals seal double VPLW Championships
A big day at Cross Keys in the final round of the season where the Essendon Royals VPLW squad secured the championship on a thrilling final day.
Needing a win against Ringwood; who had been one of the few teams to take points from them this season; and hoping for Brunswick to not get maximum points against Casey Comets, the Royals started strong, dominating the early period of the match.
It didn’t take long for any nerves to settle when one of a barrage of early raids finally hit the back of the net just 12 minutes in; Japanese import Yuria Sasaki climbing highest to head home from a Marie Rampal Cross.
The domination continued and the afternoon looked set for a good one when on the half hour, young wing back Eliza Vargiu put Ayano Koizumi through on the left. Koizumi’s twists and turns eventuated in a speculative cross, caught by the heavy breeze, the keeper stranded as the ball sailed over her head. 2-0 Royals with Casey and Brunswick still scoreless.
The news got better on the stroke of half time with Casey taking a 1-0 lead against Brunswick with the Royals comfortably in front at Cross Keys. The second half started much as the first ended, Royals pressing for a third but constantly thwarted by a resolute Ringwood side; out of the finals race but playing to impress their new coaching team for the season ahead.
The news got better elsewhere as Casey took a two and then three-goal lead against Brunswick ensuring Royals would be champions if they held onto the win. But the football Gods never make life easy, an uncharacteristic defensive error leading to a corner, which Ringwood slotted home with 20 minutes to go, ensuring a nervous but exciting end to the league season.
Ringwood continued to attack but the Royals class shone through as the defence stayed solid as they have done all season, conceding an unbelievable 7 goals in 20 matches. It was fitting that captain and leading scorer Rachel Alonso slotted home the winner with just 2 minutes remaining latching onto a through ball from defensive midfielder Rosie Wild that sent the balcony fans into raptures and had the Royals bench on its feet.
An historic win and with the other result favouring the most consistent team in the VPLW all season. Royals champions on the final day.
In the earlier kick off, the Royals Reserves secured the championship after only needing to win to wrap up the title. They did it emphatically winning 6-0, double salvos from Lola Ferrante and Bella Stringfellow with Danielle Maugeri and Linda Sawa also on the scoresheet.