Men’s Match Report: Heartbreak for Royals as Box Hill Snatch Late Win
Essendon Royals faced a tough evening at Cross Keys Reserve. Despite leading for the majority of the match, they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Box Hill United. The game, which unfolded under the Friday night lights, was a tale of missed opportunities and late drama that left the Royals contemplating what could have been.
The Royals started brightly, with Dean Clarke capitalizing on a defensive error in the 12th minute. Clarke pounced on a poor square pass, driving into the box before slotting the ball into the bottom corner, marking his second goal in as many games and giving the Royals an early lead.
Essendon’s defence, anchored by goalkeeper Andre Russo, held firm in the face of Box Hill’s attacking efforts. Russo made a crucial save in the 15th minute to deny a fierce shot on goal, preserving the Royals’ advantage. Jordan Adeyemi also had a couple of promising moments, first with a strike on target in the 21st minute and later with a dangerous run towards goal in the 29th minute, though the Box Hill defense managed to contain him.
As the first half wore on, Ali Eyigun and youngster Marcus Kotronis both tested the Box Hill keeper, but Essendon couldn’t extend their lead. The Royals went into the halftime break with a slender 1-0 lead, a testament to their solid defensive work and promising offensive plays.
The second half saw continued pressure from the Royals. A scramble from a corner in the 51st minute almost resulted in a second goal, but Box Hill managed to clear the ball off the line. Russo continued to excel, making an incredible save in the 69th minute to deny Michael Romas.
However, the tide turned in the 75th minute when Ruben Sanchez Marcano found the back of the net with a beautifully curled finish from the top of the box, levelling the score. The Royals had a golden opportunity to reclaim the lead just three minutes later, but Vince Lia’s header from a set piece went wide.
The decisive moment came in the 81st minute. Luke Pickett, finding space in the six-yard box, was picked out by a back-post header. With one touch, he controlled the ball and sent it home, giving Box Hill the lead and, ultimately, the victory.
The 2-1 defeat was a tough pill to swallow for Essendon, who had led and controlled the majority of the game but were forced to accept a defeat on home turf.
As the Royals look to regroup and learn from this encounter, they remain focused on climbing the VPL2 ladder. The team’s resilience will be key as they prepare for their next challenge, determined to turn their fortunes around.