Luv-a-Duck Women’s Match Preview: Royals Host Cellar-Dwellers Brunswick in Crucial Clash
Despite a defeat at Olympic Village, the Essendon Royals women will take heart from a brave display away to the league leaders in their last outing as they prepare for the visit of Brunswick Juventus on Saturday.
A hat-trick from the NPLW’s top scorer Sawa Matsuda was the difference, as the Japanese striker took home her second match ball of the season to make it 13 goals in 11 league appearances.
Vince Battiato’s side trailed after 14 minutes to a Matsuda header, but equalised just four minutes later as Sasha Coorey found the back of the net with a delicate touch from a superb Ava Groba assist. Coorey gave the Royals the lead with her second, a sublime piece of opportunism as she picked Cameron Barreiro’s pocket on the byline and cut inside to score from a narrow angle.
However, Matsuda would strike again before the break with an acrobatic diving header to level the scores at 2-2, and netted the winner midway through the second half with a poacher’s effort from inside the six-yard box.
Essendon keeper Zara Board was forced off at halftime through injury, casting doubt on her availability for Saturday afternoon, although a two-week break between games will boost her chances of recovery. The custodian collided with both Matsuda and her own defender on the first goal as she attempted to clear a cross, and limped her way through to the break before being replaced by Ava Walters. Walters herself suffered a painful friendly-fire collision for Heidelberg’s third, but was thankfully able to complete the 90 minutes.
Saturday’s opponents are languishing in last place on the NPLW table, with just two wins and nine defeats from their 11 games so far, and are yet to pick up a point away from home. Juventus finished second from bottom last season, but were granted a reprieve from relegation under Football Victoria’s Order of Merit process after the financial collapse of promoted VPL side Casey Comets.
Essendon’s first meeting with Brunswick this season was decided by a single goal – a precision free kick from Airi Fujiwara. Juventus have struggled since then, with one win and four defeats from their past five outings. They took a shock lead against FC Bulleen Lions in Round 11, but conceded three without reply in the second half.
The Royals will be strong favourites for this one, and know that only three points will do as we head into the second half of the NPLW Victoria season.
Kick-off at Cross Keys Reserve is set for 3PM on Saturday 14 May, with the U20s raising the curtain at 12:30PM. Go Royals!