NJL Match Report: Royals snatch rare point from Moreland
Essendon Royals became the first team to force Moreland Zebras to drop points in 2022 in Women’s State League 1 North-West.
The Royals earned a point from the Zebras in a 1-1 draw, in a game coach Vince Battiato will be justifiably frustrated did not end with his side taking all three.
A remarkable free-kick from Lydia Schifferegger gave the Royals the lead after Rachel Alonso had missed a penalty in the fourth minute.
The Zebras equalized one minute after the break via a free-kick of their own.
Even before the start of the season, Battiato had set his team the goal of taking at least four points from the first three games of the season, knowing that two of those games were against the top-two teams in the league.
This result ensured the Royals met that target and remain within touching distance of the top of the table with arguably two of the toughest games of the season out of the way.
The game could not have gotten off to a better start for the Royals, who earned a penalty in the opening five minutes.
Alonso bravely stood up to take the spot-kick, but couldn’t convert on this occasion, letting the Zebras off the hook.
Despite the penalty miss, the Royals continued to stamp their authority in the middle of the park where the aim was to cut the supply to a dangerous forward line spearheaded by Laura Spiranovic.
Priya Nataly deputised brilliantly for the absent Celeste Gallina in defence, where she slotted in seamlessly amidst Marie Rampal, Theothora Dimitropoulos and Sarah Karlik.
Ahead of them, Angie Rassias, Schifferegger, Jacinta Da Cruz and Marcela Marques bossed the midfield with Alonso and Mary Hubeek working hard in the final third.
A Zebras foul in the 21st minute teed up Schifferegger, who produced a gorgeous finish from the set-piece, beating the keeper with a lovely curling effort.
Rampal almost made it 2-0 at the end of the half, when the Zebras keeper produced an incredible save to deny the Royals April Player of the Month.
The Royals took the 1-0 lead into the break, but it was short-lived in the second half with the Zebras scoring almost straight from kick-off.
An on-target free-kick forced a scramble in the box, with the Zebras quickest to react to bundle the ball over the line.
Essendon responded well to the equalizer and spent the majority of the half in their opponent’s half.
In the end, the final ball proved tough to get right against a disciplined Moreland defence which saw out the game to leave Cross Keys with a point.
The result could have been better for the Royals, but all in all, no one will complain about taking a point off a team which has not been defeated in three years.
In the earlier kick-off, the Royals Reserves ran rampant over the Zebras in a hugely dominant display.
Danielle Maugeri continued her fine form, opening the scoring after just 14 minutes.
Ivana Ovcaric grabbed the first of two after 25 minutes to give the Royals a 2-0 lead at half-time.
The home side doubled that lead to secure the 4-0 win in the second half, with Zoe Schaffner scoring after 70 minutes, before Ovcaric sealed the deal in the 80th minute to round out a magnificent performance.