By Kieran Yap 22/5/25
Above: Ava Groba scores for Essendon Royals
Ava Groba was the star as Essendon Royals defeated FV Academy 5-1 in Round Nine of Victoria’s NPLW. The attacker produced a goal of her own and set up another with a brilliant pass in a game where Academy striker Kayla Jugovic scored for the first time in this competition
The scoreline hints at a one-sided affair, but Essendon were made to earn the three points at the Home of The Matildas. The Academy side started brightly and opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Jugovic leapt highest with great timing to nod in from close range and give the youth side a deserved lead.
The short corner routine was perfectly worked to draw the Royals defenders out of position and the changed angle provided Jugovic with the opportunity to simply direct the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
Essendon equalised minutes later through an own goal. A near post corner was deflected in and scores were level by the 17th minute.
As the half wore on, Groba began to impact the match more. After first being denied by a correct offside call she made no mistake from her second opportunity. Groba cruised clear behind the Academy defence and gave her side the lead with a terrific close range finish.
Essendon added a thid just minutes later when Kendrah Smith buried home a header from Airi Fujiwara’s well placed corner.
Fujiwara had one of her own in the second half. The Royals ruthlessly counter-attacked after FV Academy began on the front foot. Groba’s low cross was controlled by Fujiwara who buried the chance to make it 4-1.
Groba and Fujiwara combined for the last goal of the afternoon. A ball into the middle found Groba under close attention from her marker. Without needing to look or even control the ball, The Royals forward turned the ball into the path of Fujiwara who was left unmarked to finish and make it five.
It was a final score that reflected ruthless finishing, but not the balance of play. FV Academy had their chances in a game that they played in fearless, attacking fashion.
Fiorina Iaria was particularly dangerous on the left flank and sent in numerous crosses that somehow evaded strikers and defenders. Clancy Westaway was a regular threat with her trickery and quick turns.
Essendon’s experience and athleticism was too much for The Academy side to contain in the end, with Groba adding a few moments of genius that the opposition were unable to match.
Essendon face a slightly tougher opponent next week when they face top placed South Melbourne. FV Academy will look to bounce back against The Boroondara-Carey Eagles.
In other games, Heidelberg United conceded in the first minute of play against Preston United. Valentine Pursey gave the visitors an early lead in the meeting between last season’s Grand Finalists.
Sawa Matsuda levelled the scores on the stroke of half time, but Pursey’s 47th minute strike re-took the lead for Preston.
Two more goals for Matsuda and a sealer by Aeryn Tarrant gave Heidelberg a 4-2 advantage by the final whistle.
A flurry of activity saw two goals in the final minute of play, but Georgia Ghuliani’s 90th minute finish for Bentleigh Greens was not enough to defeat Boroondara Carey Eagles who left as 2-1 winners thanks to strikes from Saki Nagai’s winner and Candela Ferreyra Bas’s opener.
Brunswick Juventus enjoyed a second win of the season after defeating Spring Hills FC 2-1 at home. Julia Budiongo gave the visitors and eighth minute lead, but that rarest of things in football, a goal from a goalkeeper levelled the scores before half time.
Payton Woodward’s free-kick from half way somehow bounced an evaded everybody in the penalty area for what was obviously her first of the season. Danaya Mckenzie’s 81st minute strike ensured that Brunswick left with all three points.
Two goals from Emma Runnalls and one from Zoe Houghton gave Alamein a 3-1 win at home to Box Hill United. Georgia Karaparidis brought one back in the final minutes of play for the visitors.
And finally for the round, South Melbourne and Bulleen Lions played out a hard fought 2-2 draw at Lakeside Stadium. It was a shame that this game was played almost simultaneously to the A-League Women Grand Final because this was a clash of the reigning premiers and this season’s early leaders.
Olivia Bomford opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a close range tap in, but Hollie Massey levelled things up with a calm finish after dispossessing and rounding the goalkeeper outside of the 18 yard box.
South Melbourne re-took the lead following a frenetic piece of play that saw the ball launched long into the box before bouncing off several players and the wood work before being bundled in by Grace Taranto.
Massey’s 75TH minute equaliser was the last goal of the day. Nia Salleh carried the ball deep into Bulleen’s attack before cutting it back for Massie to tap in and give Bulleen what could be a crucial point.
That result saw a change in the top of the ladder. South Melbourne remain undefeated but are winless in their last three. Heidelberg United have leapt into first place, and can consolidate that with a win against a steadily building Bulleen on Saturday.
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