Match Report: Royals Lock In Third Place Finish After 2-2 Draw With Alamein

Essendon Royals’ senior women’s side’s NPLW Victoria Finals fate has been determined after a late goal from Rebecca Saber ensured Alamein came away with a 2-2 draw against Vince Battiato’s side on Saturday afternoon at Cross Keys Reserve.

Royals led early through a Raquel Deralas penalty, before Saber equalised shortly after to bring the scores level. Essendon once again regained lead courtesy of a TJ Vlajnic strike, but with time expiring Saber lobbed Bethany Mason-Jones with expert precision to tie the scores.

The stalemate means Essendon finish in third spot on the ladder and will open their inaugural NPLW finals campaign on the road against Preston Lions next Friday night, after they drew 2-2 with Heidelberg United.

Had the Royals held onto the lead, they would have hosted Preston in the semi-final next week, but the late equaliser meant Preston edged ahead of Essendon on the ladder on goal difference.

The winner of next week’s semi-final will face Premiers FC Bulleen Lions or Heidelberg United in the Grand Final.

Essendon started strong and took the lead from the spot after Emma Robers was brought down inside the penalty box, with Deralas stepping up and burying the resulting spotkick.

Just under ten minutes later, Essendon’s defence was caught napping as a brilliant cross found an unmarked Saber to tap home the equaliser.

But the Royals responded brilliantly to retake the lead, when Kendrah Smith intercepted an Alamein free-kick and with a superb first-time pass played through Vlajnic, who made no mistake with a well taken finish.

Essendon looked set to wrap up an all-important three points at Cross Keys until the final moments of the contest, when Molly Burke intercepted Dani Marshall’s free kick and sent the ball long into the path of Saber, who beat Marshall to the pass and lobbed it over an on-rushing Mason-Jones to level the scores.