On the run: Moama Echuca’s Asha Davies dribbles past her opponent. Photo: Bransen Gibson
Moama Echuca has been knocked out of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League division two women’s finals following a heartbreaking 2-1 extra time loss to Tatura in the preliminary final on Sunday.
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Tatura took the lead on its home deck in the first half, before a spectacular goal from captain Jessica Hicks brought the Border Raiders level with less than 10 minutes to play.
With the scores deadlocked at 1-1, extra time was needed to separate the two sides, and it was Tatura who made the fast start.
The Ibises regained the lead early in the first half of extra time with a superb goal after a scintillating run into the box from Colette Suter, before repelling wave after wave of Raiders attacks to hold on for the 2-1 win.
After the game, Hicks said there was no denying the effort her team put out on the park on Sunday.
“We gave it 100 per cent and left it all on the pitch, but they were the classier team in the end,” Hicks said.
“I feel really proud of the girls. We tried to the very last minute. Everyone had second efforts, everyone tried to be first to the ball and our team remained incredibly positive throughout the game.
“We played amazingly. Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert the possession in our attacking half into goals.”
Contest: Moama Echuca’s Thany Williams and Tatura’s Jessica Posteraro battle for the ball. Photo: Bransen Gibson
It was a tight contest from the get-go, with the the Raiders and Ibises evenly matched across the park.
But Moama Echuca started to gain the ascendency and was unlucky not to hit the front after two early chances.
Hicks whipped in a great cross that sizzled through the penalty area with the ball just eluding two lunging Moama Echuca attackers, and a good save from Tatura goalkeeper Amelia Rando turned away a shot that was bound for the back of the net.
The Raiders weren’t able to make the most of those opportunities and they were made to pay when Tatura hit the front against the run of play just before half-time.
It was an arm wrestle once again after half-time, with clear-cut chances hard to come by.
But with seven minutes to go, the ball fell to Hicks — who had only just returned to the pitch after an ankle injury — as she made a great run forward before neatly tucking her shot past the keeper to tie the game.
The Raiders couldn’t carry on their momentum into extra time, however, and it was Tatura which scored the crucial goal five minutes into the first half, holding on for the win.
Despite the unfortunate end to the season, Hicks said it was still a great season for the Border Raiders, who finished third on the table and knocked out Castlemaine in an elimination final.
“I’m proud of the team this year,” Hicks said,
“I think we have improved dramatically. The skills, the passing, the attitude, the morale in the women’s team is incredibly high, and I think that is essential. We have created a good culture.”
Tatura will now take on Kyneton District in the grand final at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Triumph: Tatura players celebrate after their 2-1 preliminary final win against Moama Echuca.
