Women’s Match Report: Royals continue unbeaten run thanks to debut goal from Sardo in win over Bentleigh

Essendon Royals’ senior women continued their brilliant season to date with a 1-0 victory over Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Julia Sardo capped off her debut for the club by scoring the all-important goal after half-time, to give Essendon their sixth win of the campaign and keep them within touching distance of the top two – Preston Lions and FC Bulleen Lions – heading into the halfway point of the season.

Sardo, along with fellow new arrivals Emma Robers and TJ Vlajnic were handed a start by coach Vince Battiato in their first appearances for the club.

Royals had the ascendancy of a tight first-half and almost took the lead through Emily Sutcliffe.

Bentleigh – who came into the contest off the back of a heavy 7-0 defeat to Bulleen – kept things tight defensively and made life hard for Essendon’s fleet-footed attack.

But their defence finally came unstuck when a brilliant cross from Ava Groba found an unmarked Sardo, who made no mistake to give Essendon the lead.

Royals continued to pepper the Bentleigh goals, forcing a number of quality saves from Minghui Chen, with Audrey Oastler chief among the players causing issues in the final third.

Fellow new arrival Raquel Deralas was brought on for the final 25 minutes of the contest as she continues to work her way back to full fitness after missing the entirety of the 2023-24 A-League Women’s season through injury.

Essendon were able to hold firm and come away with the win – their fourth in succession – which cuts the gap to four points behind league leaders Preston, who they face at home next Saturday.