Men’s Geelong Holiday Inn & Suites Match Preview: Resurgent Royals Travel To Werribee

The Essendon Royals men returned to winning form in emphatic fashion on Friday night, slamming four unanswered goals past Box Hill United to reignite their playoff hopes.

First-half goals from Takumi Niwa, Vince Lia and Marcus Kotronis had the Royals cruising before Julian Guzzardi added the final flourish midway through the second half, finishing off a slick 20-plus-pass team move. The goal was Guzzardi’s first since his hat-trick away at Altona City in May.

The result ends a seven-game winless run, and lifts Essendon to fifth in the VPL2 table ahead of GV Suns. Springvale’s surprise defeat to Boroondara means the Royals are just three points from a home elimination final, albeit with an inferior goal difference.

Essendon was buoyed by the return of Brad Norton from injury, while Phil Riccobene was an unused substitute as his journey back to full fitness continues. 

This week, the Royals head to Galvin Park to face Werribee City, who are facing the prospect of successive relegations after falling to last place over the weekend. The Bees were outside the drop zone before the round began, but surprise wins for all three of the teams below them has seen a seismic shift in the table. Now, six clubs – from Geelong in ninth to Werribee in 14th – are separated by just two points. 

Werribee took a point off Brunswick Juventus in the catch-up round, but suffered a 4-1 defeat to league leaders North Geelong Warriors at Elcho Park on Saturday.

One-time Wellington Phoenix man Tom Biss leads the team in scoring with six goals for the campaign, while John Mabok has five.

Essendon will be wary of Werribee after a dramatic 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture. The Bees led 2-1 at Cross Keys Reserve, before an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Aguilar Rohan. 

Graham Kelly smashed in the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time, and Maze Ali looked set to win it in the 98th, only for reserve keeper Josh McCall to handle the ball outside his box. Outfielder Jordan Picak was forced to don the gloves, and came up with a save from the since-departed Ali Eyigun’s free kick as Werribee held on for a point. 

The U23s raise the curtain at Costas Mitre 10 Park at 6:15pm, before the seniors kick off at 8:30pm. Come down and cheer on the Royals as they look to make it back-to-back wins on the road!

🆚 Werribee City FC vs Essendon Royals SC

📍 Galvin Park

📅 Friday, 25 July

⏰ Seniors at 8:30PM, U23s at 6:15PM