Women’s Match Preview: Royals Finals Campaign Begins In Do-or-Die Semi Final Matchup Against Preston
Essendon Royals’ senior women begin their 2024 NPLW Victoria Finals campaign when they head on the road to face Preston Lions at BT Connor Reserve in a do-or-die semi-final.
After securing two incredible back-to-back promotions, Royals booked their first-ever finals appearance in the top-flight three weeks ago, before wrapping up third place on the ladder courtesy of their 2-2 draw with Alamein last week.
Essendon missed the chance to host this weekend’s semi after twice dropping the lead against Alamein, with the second of the two equalisers came in the dying embers of the contest, showcasing just how close they were to securing a home semi-final.
Watch the highlights from our 2-2 draw with Alamein.
This means they finished behind Preston on goal difference after they also rescued a point late in a 2-2 draw against fourth-placed Heidelberg United.
It sets the table brilliantly for a blockbuster semi for the Royals, who take on Preston for the second time in three weeks.
The two sides have already met twice this season, with the most recent of those being a see-sawing 2-2 draw at BT Connor Reserve, but the Royals did win the first meeting at Cross Keys Reserve 2-1 thanks to goals from Emma Robers and TJ Vlajnic.
Watch the highlights from our 2-2 draw with Preston Lions.
Preston – along with Essendon – have been one of the competition’s big improvers, earning a place in the finals in their second successive season in the top flight.
Watch the highlights from our 2-1 win over Preston Lions.
Dan Foden has done a brilliant job at turning the Lions into one of the league’s most dangerous outfits, boasting the likes Haley Johnson (18 goals), Ellie Lamonte (13 goals) and Mebae Tanaka (10 goals) in attack, while the likes of Susan Phonsongkham and Emma Checker have bolstered the side in the second-half of the season.
Preston haven’t lost in the league since June 29 (2-4 loss to FV Emerging), meaning they haven’t tasted defeat in their last seven regular season matches. However, they did lose 3-2 in the Nike FC Cup Final to FC Bulleen Lions.
The winner of this Friday’s match will play either Bulleen or Heidelberg in next week’s Grand Final.
Kick-off is at 7:30 PM.