CSF Match Preview: Essendon Royals hit the road with tough trip to Altona City
Essendon Royals will hit the road after a string of home games in the Men’s State League 1 North-West competition, with a tough test away to Altona City calling this weekend.
The Royals have found a rich vein of form since losing in Round 2 against Caroline Springs George Cross, winning four and drawing one out of five games in all competitions.
An important 2-1 league win against Sydenham Park last week was followed up with an impressive 4-2 comeback win against Eltham Redbacks in the Australia Cup on Tuesday night.
The games have certainly come thick and fast but despite a number of availabilities, injuries and departures, the depth of talent at the Royals has shone through.
The Royals said goodbye to James Brown last week, whilst Davey Van’t Schip has headed home to the Netherlands on personal leave.
Leigh Minopoulos is unlikely to play again this season, whilst Anthony Ramzy remains sidelined and has been assisting as a coach whilst continuing his recovery.
In their place, however, the likes of Ziyad El-Tahir, Jake Montagnese, Jack Warrick, Nobu Usui and Josh Markovski have all impressed in recent games, demonstrating the quality available to Mick Ferrante who continues to do a fine job of managing his squad.
The Royals sit second on the table after five rounds, ahead on goal difference of Banyule Bulls and Brimbank Stallions.
Altona City sits sixth on the table with eight points from its first five games.
The hosts lost for the first time last weekend, losing 2-0 to George Cross, having previously beaten Keilor Park and Whittlesea United in Rounds 2 and 3 respectively, drawing their other two games against FC Clifton Hill and Banyule.
Whilst wins have been hard to come by for City, it’s clear that they remain a hard team to beat.
With Altona boasting the second-best defensive record in the league, the Royals will want to be more clinical in front of goal and make the most of the chances they inevitably create.
In their last five games across the league and cup, the Royals have created an average of 17 dangerous situations per game according to Track160 data, helping to solidify their record as one of the best attacking teams in the competition with 12 goals from five league games, on top of the eight goals scored in three Australia Cup ties this season.
In the earlier kick-off, the Reserves game will be a top-of-the-table clash between first and second.
With a superior goal difference keeping Altona City on top, the Royals will be out to leapfrog their hosts into the top spot on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides boast an undefeated record to start the season having both won four and drawn one game this season.
The Royals have shown incredible resilience having to deal with the call up of a number of players to the senior team, with the youth coming through doing a remarkable job of supplementing the initial squad.
Noah Vocale will definitely miss the match having been sent off last week.
MATCH DETAILS
Football Victoria Men’s State League 1 North-West | Round Six
Altona City v Essendon Royals
Saturday 23 April
HC Kim Reserve, Millers Rd
Reserves: 4 PM | Seniors: 6 PM
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Away from Kim Reserve, the match of the round will undoubtedly be Caroline Springs George Cross’ home game against Brimbank Stallions.
The two sides were odds-on for promotion when the 2021 season was cancelled and with the Stallions having lost valuable ground on the Georgies last week with a loss to Banyule, they will see this tough trip to George Cross as a must-win.
The Georgies on the other hand will see this as a glorious opportunity to open up further breathing space between themselves and one of their biggest competitors.
Elsewhere, Banyule will look to continue their good form with a strong performance against battlers Corio SC.
The Bulls have been in great form since their Round One loss to the Royals, with striker Lars Anton Kanninder looking like one of the signings of the season having booted five goals in five games.
Corio will be desperate to turn its season around after suffering a 6-0 loss at home to Whittlesea United last week.
Whittlesea are in action on Sunday when they take on Clifton Hill – another team coming off a big loss having been defeated 7-1 by Keilor Park last week – whilst Keilor travels to McIvor Reserve to take on Yarraville Glory.
The other game this round sees Sydenham Park welcome FC Strathmore to Keilor Lodge Reserve.