Women’s Match Preview: Royals look to solidify top four place against Calder at home

Essendon Royals’ senior women’s side wants to continue their brilliant season when they take on Calder United at Cross Keys Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

Royals ended FC Bulleen Lions’ 10-game winning streak with a 1-0 win at Cross Keys last weekend, thanks to a goal from Julia Sardo.

Essendon has now done the double over the league leaders and is the only side to take points off Bulleen in the league this season.

Catch up with the highlights from our 1-0 win over FC Bulleen Lions.

Vince Battiato’s side is now in third place on the ladder, a point behind second-placed Preston Lions, and still has a game in hand.

They’re also four points clear of fifth-placed Heidelberg United, with every point imperative in the weeks ahead as Essendon looks to secure an NPLW Victoria finals berth.

Sardo has been brilliant since arriving at the club from Western United, scoring twice in four games, while Emma Robers, Raquel Deralas and TJ Vlajnic have also added plenty of quality throughout the pitch.

Next is a clash against Calder on Saturday afternoon. After 12 games, they are 10th on the ladder.

It’s been a difficult campaign for Victorian heavyweights, who look destined to miss finals this season, with only two wins to their name and in a battle to stave off relegation to the Victorian Premier League –

Calder is only a point clear of second-last Bentleigh Greens and two points clear of bottom-placed Brunswick Juventus heading into this weekend.

However, Calder did win the reverse fixture 4-2 earlier this season at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.

Last Time They Met: Highlights from our earlier game against Calder this season

Despite their struggles, Calder still possesses plenty of quality, with Akeisha Sandhu, Akane Shimizu, Ava Breidis, and Larissa Walsh among their dangerous cohort of stars.

Royals should regain top goalscorer Audrey Oastler this week after she missed the Bulleen clash through illness, but unfortunately, Ayano Koizumi’s season is over after suffering a serious knee injury against Alamein.

Kick-off is at 3 PM, with the Under 20s in action just beforehand at 12:30 PM.

Royals drew 1-1 with Bulleen last week and remain ninth on the ladder ahead of their clash against fifth-placed Calder, who are fresh off a 7-1 loss to league leaders NTC.