Men’s Match Report: Essendon Royals Bounce Back with Convincing Win Over Goulburn Valley Suns
Under the Saturday night lights at Cross Keys Reserve, Essendon Royals ended their winless run in style with a commanding 3-1 victory over Goulburn Valley Suns. The victory, driven by a brace from Jordan Adeyemi and a spectacular strike from Graham Kelly, showcased the Royals’ resilience and determination to climb the VPL2 standings.
The match began with a setback for the Royals as Callum Schroah gave the Suns an early lead in the 8th minute. Schroah’s curling finish from just outside the box found the back of the net, leaving the Royals trailing and searching for a response.
Essendon responded with intent, creating several chances to level the score. In the 20th minute, Clarke’s shot went wide following a neat build-up involving Kelly and Adeyemi. Just a minute later, Adeyemi forced a save from the Suns’ keeper after cutting inside and shooting on target.
The breakthrough for the Royals came in the 25th minute. A well-coordinated build-up from the back saw Lia spray the ball wide to Thomas, who found Clarke rushing in on goal. Clarke’s precise cut-back to Adeyemi was finished with aplomb, levelling the score at 1-1.
The Suns had a golden opportunity to retake the lead just before halftime, but Schroah’s header was brilliantly forced onto the bar, ensuring the teams went into the break on even terms.
The second half saw the Royals pushing for a lead. Kelly had a shot saved in the 57th minute, and Clarke’s effort was brilliantly tipped onto the post a minute later. The pressure paid off in the 59th minute when Kelly unleashed a screamer from outside the box, putting the Royals ahead. However, the joy was tempered as Kelly immediately grabbed his hamstring, leading to his substitution—a concerning sight for the Royals’ faithful.
Despite the setback, the Royals maintained their momentum. In the 62nd minute, Adeyemi struck again, this time assisted by Nkondogoro, to make it 3-1. The Royals continued to press, with Clarke going close from an Eyigun cross.
The match also saw the debut of Royals youngster Marcus Kotronis, who came off the bench and nearly added to the scoreline with a late chance.
As the final whistle blew, the Royals celebrated a much-needed victory, their first in several games. The 3-1 win over Goulburn Valley Suns was a testament to their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, marking a positive turning point in their VPL2 campaign.