Nicholas James Lawyers Men’s Match Preview: The Eagles Land at Cross Keys

After a flat afternoon in the country, the Royals come home to Cross Keys on Friday night needing the response that the home ground has produced all season.

The numbers from the road still sting. A single goal settled it for GV Suns, the gap to the top two stretched to eight points, and Essendon sank to fifth in a tight race for the playoff positions.

The good news is that home comforts have paid rich dividends this season. The Royals have played four home matches this season at Cross Keys Reserve, and have won all four, scoring 14 goals and conceding six. Their unimpeachable record will be tested this week.

Springvale White Eagles provide the opposition, sitting eighth on eighteen points and arriving in patchy form, losing successive games for the first time this season. A 2-1 defeat away to Box Hill at Wembley Park was followed by a 2-0 loss to Whittlesea United over the weekend. The White Eagles have struggled to find their rhythm away from home this season, and the Royals will be hoping that trend continues.

The reverse fixture went the Royals’ way, a 2-1 win at the Serbian Sports Centre in February, where after conceding in just the sixth minute, goals from Jordan Adeyemi and Josh Markovski completed the turnaround before halftime.

Adeyemi remains the top scorer in the division with 12, while Springvale’s clearest attacking threat comes through Greg Siamoa on 5 goals – including the opener against Essendon last time out.

Mick Ferrante’s side knows the maths. Eleven rounds remain, and with room for error evaporating, Friday nights at Cross Keys have been the Royals’ bread and butter. Time to make it five from five.

Kick-off at 8:30pm.

Forza Royals.