NJL Match Report: Essendon Royals overcome horror start to secure 4-2 win at Banyule City
Essendon Royals were their own worst enemy at times but recovered impeccably in the second-half to secure a 4-2 win against Banyule City on Saturday.
The Royals took all six points from a tough trip to Banyule to open the State League 1 season, with the Reserves also winning 3-2.
After a horror start that saw the Royals concede within the first minute of the game and finish the first-half 2-1 down, the Royals proved far more clinical in the second half.
Goals from Graham Kelly, Davey Van’t Schip, debutant Will Abbott and James Brown secured the win on the day.
The day started with a touching tribute to Oscar Ferrante, son of Vitale Ferrante, which was organised by the hosts, with both teams gathering around a special banner that read “Get Well Oscar” with the logos of both clubs that had been put together by Banyule.
Whilst the game finished relatively comfortably for the Royals, they were forced to chase the game early on, when Banyule’s hugely impressive striker signing Lars Anton Kanninder.
Kanninder made no mistake when he passed on an errant square pass in the Royals defence, bursting past his marker and slotting the ball beyond the helpless German Schacht, who was making his debut for the Royals in goal.
The goal woke the Royals from their slumber, and they responded quickly to pile on the pressure on the hosts.
Van’t Schip had his first chance in the third minute, getting on the end of some crafty work from Leigh Minopoulos down the right flank, only to be denied by Banyule captain Daniel Collison in goal.
The sight of Collison parrying away the onslaught of Royals advances would become a common sight as the game wore on.
The Royals had registered another three shots by the 12th minute, with Van’t Schip, Minopoulos and Kelly all trying their luck with only the latter managing to hit the target.
Mo Abbas tested Collison from range after 21 minutes following a strong run from central midfield.
Banyule got back among the chances and really should have gone 2-0 up in the 25th minute when another defensive error allowed Kanninder the chance to run at the Royals goal.
He managed to get the ball around Schacht, but the Royals keeper did enough to force him wide enough and apply enough pressure that the marksman missed his chance.
The Royals instantly punished Banyule when Van’t Schip earned a penalty following some obvious pulling from his Banyule opponent.
Kelly stepped up and whilst Collison saved the spot-kick, he was helpless as the Irishman was quickest to the rebound and smartly readjusted his body to put the ball into the roof of the net.
With parity deservedly restored, the Bulls were right back on the offensive and they had the advantage not long after then Ryan Kirkus scored to give the home side the 2-1 lead.
It could have been 3-1 a minute later, but for a huge defensive effort from Abbott, whose efforts knocked the ball loose enough for Schacht to pounce.
Minopoulos was forced off shortly after when he went down with an Achilles/calf complaint, that was bad enough to require a stretcher, opening the door for Noboyuki Usui to make his debut off the bench.
The half ended with a flurry of crosses. Abbott and Van’t Schip both tested Collison but the Banyule keeper stood strong to ensure his side went into the break with the lead.
A refreshed and hungry Royals emerged from the changerooms for the second half and picked up where they left off at the end of the first half.
Kelly played in Usui for a great chance in the opening minute of the half, but he struggled to find the room to squeeze off a shot.
Parity was restored in the 51st minute when Van’t Schip was the quickest to react to a spill in the box, after Collison came flying off the line to repel a Kelly cross.
The ball fell kindly for the Royals’ playing assistant coach, and whilst Van’t Schip didn’t make the cleanest connection it had enough power and direction to nestle in the back of the net.
Ryan McEvoy popped up with a surging run from centre-back to strike just wide from distance almost instantly after, before a hectic opening 10 minutes of the half was capped off by a stunning save from Schacht at the other end to deny Kanninder once again.
Brown was the next to be denied by Collision just after the hour mark, after his fierce strike on goal was parried over the bar, shortly before Kelly had his own effort cleared off the line with an amazing sliding clearance.
The Royals would not be denied, however, and it was Abbott – who had threatened from set-pieces all day – who popped up with a deserved goal, heading home a superb McEvoy corner to give the visitors the lead for the first time on the day in the 72nd minute.
Brown sealed the win in the 76th minute, racing onto the end of a lovely through-ball from Abbas and slotting past Collison to secure the result.
The win makes for a great start to the State League 1 season, even if there will be a lot to improve on ahead of Round Two’s trip to Caroline Springs George Cross.
In the earlier kick-off, Joshua Markovski was the hero for the Royals Reserves, slamming home a hat-trick to help secure a 3-2 win in a hugely entertaining game.
Goals in the 42nd, 52nd and 82nd minutes were enough to secure the win for the Royals, ensuring the Reserves played their part in a fruitful trip to one of State League 1’s toughest venues.