Men’s Geelong Holiday Inn & Suites Match Preview: Royals Men Look To Bounce Back in Blockbuster Double Header at the Keys
After a disappointing defeat in last week’s local derby, Essendon will look to set things right in a Saturday double-header at Cross Keys Reserve.
It’s a jam-packed day of football at the Keys, as the day begins with U20 Royals women at 10 am, followed by the U23 men at 12:45 pm. Our NPLW side then faces Box Hill United at 3 pm, with a chance to see three new signings – A-League Women’s players Alana Cerne, Deven Jackson and Olivia Wood – in action. The VPL2 action begins at 6pm, as our senior men host 4th-placed Springvale White Eagles in a pivotal promotion bout.
The Royals must use Friday night’s 4-1 defeat to Pascoe Vale as motivational fuel. Essendon led as Jordan Adeyemi slotted home the rebound from his saved spot-kick, but two quickfire penalties up the other end in the shadows of halftime had Paco suddenly in the lead. Tom Barforosh converted both and completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a towering back-post header, before Felix Ruiz’s spectacular effort added gloss to the scoreline with 12 minutes to play.
The result sees the Royals drop to 5th place, behind Springvale on goal difference, and with a seven-point gap to the automatic promotion places.
Irish attacker Dean Clarke made his injury comeback as a 64th-minute substitute, and Essendon will be hoping for a similarly swift return for experienced campaigners Brad Norton and Phil Riccobene. Riccobene returned to the bench as an unused substitute after missing the previous two team sheets and will be angling to play a part on Saturday.
Senior men’s head coach Mick Ferrante and assistant Davey Van’t Schip will both return to the dugout after serving touchline bans against Paco.
The Royals are one of only four sides to beat Springvale this season – a 2-1 comeback victory at the Serbian Sports Centre in Round 6, thanks to goals from substitutes Vincent Nicoletti and Sebastian Lo Monaco.
The White Eagles are undefeated in their last six outings, and have taken five points from their last three, an impressive 4-1 win away at Stead Park against Geelong sandwiched between 1-1 draws with Box Hill and Brunswick Juventus.
Springvale have scored just 29 goals – eight fewer than Essendon – but their record has been built on an impressive defence. Anchored by former Afghanistan international Faisal Sakhizada, their backline is by far the sturdiest in the competition, shipping just 15 goals. The next-best defences in VPL2 have conceded 23.
The White Eagles’ leading attacking threats are 37-year-old former Oakleigh stalwart Goran Zoric and English winger Sammy Orritt, who have netted six apiece.
The Royals will need your support against a formidable opponent. Get down to Cross Keys on Saturday and soak in a full day of football as our men’s and women’s programs join forces!
🆚 Essendon Royals SC v Springvale White Eagles FC
📍 Cross Keys Reserve
📅 Saturday, 21st June
⏰ Senior Men at 6PM, U23s at 12:45PM, Senior Women at 3PM