Men’s Geelong Holiday Inn & Suites Match Preview: Royals Face Redbacks in VPL2 Blockbuster
The Essendon Royals head into Friday night’s showpiece fixture with a slender goal difference advantage over the visiting Eltham Redbacks, as the VPL2 title race heats up.
The stakes and the pressure on this promotion bout are only heightened by Brunswick Juventus, who trail the pair by just two points with a game in hand, eager to pounce on any slip-ups.
Juve themselves host Pascoe Vale at 8:30 pm, meaning the league lead could change hands multiple times throughout the night.
Essendon has hit a purple patch of form since returning to Cross Keys Reserve, with five wins from its last six games, helped by an incredible scoring streak from homegrown attacker Julian Guzzardi. The 18-year-old striker has smashed in six goals in his last five outings, including his first senior hat-trick in last week’s 5-2 comeback win over Altona City.
“It means a lot to get the opportunity from Mick [Ferrante] and Davey [van’t Schip] to prove what I can do,” said a beaming Guzzardi after the game.
“It’s something that I’ve been aiming for and working towards.
“[But] getting the three points and singing the song, that’s all that matters.”
Friday’s opponents have impressed in their first season since being promoted from State League One, winning seven of their first eight games, including a 4-1 win over Essendon in Round 2.
Alan Mulcahy’s side has been through a difficult patch of late, with draws against Springvale White Eagles and Brunswick, followed by a defeat at home to Geelong.
The Redbacks will take confidence from their last-gasp comeback win over Box Hill United last week, as Josh Dennett equalised in the 88th minute, before Billy Romas made it 3-2 deep into stoppage time.
Romas has led Eltham in scoring this season with seven goals, while Lewis Bamford and Lewis Collins have netted five apiece.
We can’t wait to hear the Royals faithful out in force on Friday night for what is sure to be another thriller at Cross Keys!
🆚 Essendon Royals SC v Eltham Redbacks SC
📍 Cross Keys Reserve
📅 Friday, 23 May
⏰ Senior Men at 7:30PM, U23s on Sunday at 3.45PM