Insight Body & Mind Women’s Match Preview: Score To Settle Against Alamein

Revenge is too strong a word. But when the Royals women step out on Cross Keys Reserve on Saturday afternoon, they have a point to prove.

Essendon’s first meeting with Alamein this season, away at Dorothy Laver Reserve in Round 4, ended in a deflating 1-0 defeat. Anna Liacopoulos netted a long range stunner after just 29 seconds – a goal so surprising that even the cameraman missed it. From there, the Royals huffed and puffed with 15 shots on goal, but couldn’t undo Alamein’s stout defence.

The result remains the only time Essendon have failed to find the back of the net this season. Top of the table in a thrilling title race after Bulleen’s stumble against Keilor Park, the Royals have netted an astonishing 46 goals in 16 games. On Saturday, the Essendon attack looks to overcome its only bogey side.

The Royals emerge from the catch-up round break with four straight wins, undefeated in 11 games, and a spring in their step. They welcome back Maggie Jenkins from international duty with the New Zealand Football Ferns, where she played 15 minutes off the bench in a gritty 0-0 draw with Morocco in Malaga – her first appearance for the senior international team since her debut in 2017.

Alamein have been in strong recent form, with a 3-0 win over Keilor Park, followed by a 2-1 win against Melbourne City in Round 16. The side sits 6th in NPLW Victoria, four points outside the top four, and with the acquisition of A-League defender Chelsea Blissett in the transfer window, will believe they can make the playoffs.

The numbers above the fold: Royals top on 35 points, Box Hill on 34, South Melbourne on 33, Bulleen on 32. The bye week is behind us. The title run-in starts now.

3:15pm kickoff on Saturday at Cross Keys.

Forza Royals!