Women’s Match Report: Courageous Essendon Royals Suffer Narrow Defeat to Calder United

On a sun-drenched afternoon at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve, the Essendon Royals Senior Women, buoyed by an impressive victory in their last outing, faced a challenging contest against NPLW giants Calder United, ultimately succumbing 4-2 in a hard-fought battle.

This Round 2 clash was not just another match for the Royals’ stalwart Beth Mason-Jones, who celebrated her 100th NPLW game.

The Royals entered the fray with the confidence of a side that had just secured their first top-flight win, facing a Calder United team eager to make amends for their previous defeat.

Filomena Delic immediately put Calder on notice, her blistering pace down the right flank causing all sorts of problems for the defence. Meanwhile, Mason-Jones’ bravery was fully displayed as she sustained a heavy knock after a fearless challenge. She heroically finished the half but was forced to retire at the break.

While allowing Calder possession, the Royals masterfully orchestrated their defence to force their opponents into long-range attempts, maintaining control and nullifying threats inside the box.

The deadlock was broken by Olivia Ristevski’s youthful exuberance. After a dazzling one-two with Ava Groba, she executed a sublime lobbed finish that sailed over the Calder keeper just before half-time, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, a resurgent Calder United quickly turned the tables with two goals in 17 minutes, courtesy of Akane Shimizu and Larissa Walsh, shifting the momentum in their favour. An unfortunate own goal gave Calder a 3-1 lead.

The Royals’ resilience was tested when an inadvertent deflection from Kendrah Smith resulted in an own goal, widening the deficit. However, Katherine Goff reignited the Royals’ hope with her searing pace and clinical finish, narrowing the gap to 3-2.

Any aspirations of a comeback were promptly doused by Calder’s Jen Lum, who delivered a stunning finish to restore the two-goal cushion.

In the dying embers of the match, Emma Sutcliffe’s valiant efforts, a forced save, and a strike against the bar epitomized the Royals’ tenacity. Despite their relentless pursuit, the Royals could not bridge the divide, concluding the contest with a 4-2 scoreline.

While the result did not favour the Essendon Royals, the performance bore the hallmarks of a side with promise and potential. This encounter was a testament to their resolve and an indicator of the fierce competition they bring to NPLW Victoria. The Royals’ journey continues, with the belief that their spirited displays will yield the fruits of victory in future fixtures.