Gaffney Match Preview: Essendon Royals take on FC Clifton Hill

Essendon Royals will look to bounce back from just their second loss of the season on Sunday when they travel to Quarries Park to take on FC Clifton Hill.

With their promotion destiny well and truly in their own hands, the Royals will know they will need to be at their best to defeat a Clifton Hill side that is better than their spot on the table would suggest.

Languishing in seventh position, Clifton Hill was one of the strong starters in the competition but is in a bit of a rut at the moment, having failed to win a game since the end of May in round five.

The Royals sit in second, four points behind league leaders Brunswick Juventus and four points clear of third-placed Spring Hills, who have a game in hand.

Having already played the other two teams in the top three twice this season, the Royals will need to keep their minds focused on the task at hand to ensure they continue to pick up every crucial point between now and the end of the season.

The Royals’ loss last weekend was just their second of the season and their first since Round Two.

The last time these two sides faced each other, the Royals ran our comfortable 6-0 winners courtesy of goals from Mary Hubeek (2), Ange Rassias, Rachel Alonso (2) and Linda Sawa.

In the earlier kick-off the Royals Reserves will play a first-versus-second clash against Clifton Hill.

The Royals Ressies beat Clifton Hill 7-1 last time out.