Royals Clinch Victory in Final Home Game with Last-Minute Kelly Strike
Essendon Royals ended their home campaign on a high note with a dramatic 1-0 win over Boroondara-Carey Eagles at Cross Keys Reserve on Friday night. In a match that saw both sides battle fiercely, it was a moment of brilliance from captain Graham Kelly in the dying moments that secured all three points for the Royals.
The game began with a statement of intent from the Royals, as Kelly tried to catch the opposition goalkeeper off guard with an audacious shot from the kick-off. Although the effort was off target, it set the tone for a match where Essendon would dominate possession and create most of the chances.
Dean Clarke was a constant threat throughout the first half, testing the Boroondara keeper several times. His first shot on target came in the 15th minute, forcing a save that the keeper could only parry, but there was no one to follow up as Boroondara cleared the danger. Clarke continued to shoot from a distance, coming close again in the 21st minute.
Essendon felt hard done by when they were denied two substantial penalty shouts. The first came in the 22nd minute when Vince Lia showed incredible skill to beat his man, only to be taken down by a late challenge inside the box. The referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the Royals’ bench and fans. The second shout came just before halftime when a Boroondara defender appeared to handle the ball in the box. Kelly quickly reacted to the loose ball, but the onrushing keeper saved his shot.
Despite the Royals’ dominance, the teams went into halftime at 0-0.
Boroondara started the second half brightly, with Benjamin Osei-Safo wriggling through the Royals’ defence and forcing a smart save from Andre Russo. The game remained on a knife edge, with both sides searching for the breakthrough. Kelly nearly provided it in the 47th minute with a stunning free-kick that rattled the crossbar, bouncing down but staying out.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed as though the match would end in a frustrating draw. However, the Royals kept pressing, and their persistence paid off in the 90th minute. Clarke, who had been outstanding all night, made a brilliant run from the left flank, beating three defenders before driving the ball into the box. A desperate clearance from the Eagles’ defence sent the ball high into the air. It hung in the air momentarily before dropping to the unmarked Kelly on the edge of the area. The Royals captain struck it sweetly on the volley, sending the ball crashing into the back of the net to give Essendon a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Royals players and fans as the team secured a crucial victory in their final home game of the season. The win keeps Essendon in the hunt for a top-four finish, with just one match remaining in the VPL2 season.
The Royals will look to carry this momentum into their final fixture as they aim to finish the season on a high.