Luv-a-Duck Women’s Match Preview: Royals Face Testing Away Trip
The Essendon Royals women travel to Springside Recreational Reserve on Friday night, well aware that their opponents are stronger than their position on the table might suggest.
It was a classic game of two halves on Saturday afternoon. A spectacular half-volley from Airi Fujiwara and a brave header from new signing Olivia Wood – her first goal for the club – had Vince Battiato’s side in the driver’s seat at the break, but Box Hill mustered a late fightback. Sofia Sakalis pulled a goal back with a neatly-taken finish from Josephine Aulicino cross, before a thunderous volley from Sienna Techera in the 87th minute secured a share of the spoils for the visitors.
The result was perhaps harsh on Essendon, who produced nine shots on target to Box Hill’s four, and there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.
9th-placed Spring Hills, meanwhile, have made a marquee acquisition in the mid-season transfer window: none other than reigning FV Gold Medallist Maja Markovski. The 23-year-old striker scored 20 goals for Bulleen last season, before signing for Canberra United in the A-League. Markovski returns to Spring Hills to play under her dad, head coach Tom Markovski, and has already netted for her new club – a goal on debut in Round 12 against Preston.
Spring Hills have also brought in Mami Ambo from South Melbourne, who scored on debut against FC Bulleen Lions over the weekend. Ambo’s strike gave the visitors a surprise lead at the Veneto Club, but Bulleen levelled from a set piece in first-half stoppage time, before two long-range goals for the Lions in the second half meant Spring Hills left empty-handed.
The newly-promoted side has already beaten the Royals this season, 3-1 away at JH Allan Reserve back in Round 3. A star turn from Olivia Anderson was the difference that day, as she netted a match-winning brace. Also on the scoresheet was Victorian football legend Aleks Sinclair, still going strong at 37 years of age with five goals to her name this season.
While goals have been hard to come by, Spring Hills’ defence – marshalled by former Western United player Natasha Dakic – has shipped just 19 goals this season, level with league leaders Heidelberg United as the fifth-strongest in the competition. The Royals will have to be at their best to break down a disciplined opponent.
Four points separate the Royals from finals football, and three points would go a long way to keeping the dream of silverware alive. Kickoff is set for 8:30pm in Caroline Springs, with the U20s at 6:15pm.