Women’s Match Report: Essendon Royals suffer FV Emerging reversal
In a pivotal NPLW Victoria match, Essendon Royals suffered a 3-1 defeat against FV Emerging at the Home of the Matildas, ensuring the Royals cannot take anything for granted in the race to the finals. The catch-up game, originally scheduled for earlier in the season, was crucial for the Royals’ ambitions to climb the ladder but ended in disappointment despite a strong start.
The Royals opened the scoring in the 25th minute through an unlikely source. TJ Vlajnic’s inswinging corner proved too much for the FV Emerging defence and goalkeeper, sneaking into the net via a defender amidst the chaos. This early goal seemed to set the tone for Essendon, who looked to capitalize further on their set-piece prowess.
However, FV Emerging responded strongly before the half-time whistle. In the 40th minute, Isabella Accardo equalized for the home side, converting from a corner to restore parity. The first half concluded with both teams locked at 1-1, a scoreline that reflected an evenly contested battle, with FV Emerging slightly edging out the Royals in shots taken.
The second half saw FV Emerging shift gears and take control of the game. In the 55th minute, Samira Rexhepi gave Emerging the lead, tapping in a rebound after Bethany Mason-Jones could only parry a long-range effort. The Royals’ situation worsened in the 71st minute when a penalty was awarded to FV Emerging. Danella Butrus was brought down by Mason-Jones, leading to Eva Kokotis stepping up and confidently converting the penalty in the 73rd minute, extending Emerging’s lead to 3-1.
Despite trailing, the Royals pushed for a way back into the match. Their best chance came in the 76th minute when Audrey Oastler and Vlajnic combined beautifully. Vlajnic’s pass found Julia Sardo in a promising position, but her shot missed the target, summing up a frustrating evening for Essendon.
As the match neared its conclusion, the Royals continued to press, and Oastler had a significant chance from another Vlajnic corner in the 80th minute. Her header, however, was blocked, and the subsequent corner was also cleared by a well-organized FV Emerging defence.
In the final moments, FV Emerging nearly added a fourth, hitting the bar in the 86th minute as they looked to seal a convincing victory.
As the Royals regroup and prepare for their next game against Brunswick Juventus on Saturday, they will need to harness their resilience and sharpen their focus to maintain their pursuit of a finals football.