THE GEELONG HOLIDAY INN & SUITES ROYALS MEN’S MATCH PREVIEW: ROUND 2 – NUNAWADING CITY V ESSENDON ROYALS

The Essendon Royals are back on the road as they head to Nunawading City FC for their Round 2 NPL3 clash.

The newly promoted Royals put in a spirited performance and created plenty of chances in Round 1 against the North Sunshine Eagles. However, they were dealt a harsh lesson in the fine margins that exist in their new NPL3 surrounds, going down 1-0 at Larissa Reserve as the Eagles pounced on their major opportunity.

With the boys working hard to reverse their fortunes in Round 2, they travel to a Nunawading City side that enjoyed a positive start to the campaign, defeating regional outfit Ballarat City FC 2-1.

Nunawading had fallen behind to a 50th-minute strike from Yushiro Shiomi, before equalising via substitute Michael Romas just seven minutes later.

Ballarat was eventually reduced to 10 men, as Lunorphare Folly was sent off in the 70th minute before Romas scored what proved to be the winner from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

According to Royals’ historical data, Essendon and Nunawading have faced off 12 times in official competition over the years, winning six of those 12 encounters, drawing once and losing five.

The Royals got through the Round 1 encounter unscathed regarding injuries and are expected to have a full complement of players to choose from.

This is the second of three straight away games to start the season, ahead of the Men’s first home game of the season against Melbourne Victory on Saturday, April 8.

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