Border Raiders score biggest win of the year

By Matthew Kappos

Jun 18, 2024

Leo Won and the Border Raiders put in a dominant performance on Sunday. Photo: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Echuca Moama Border Raiders men’s side has put in its most dominant performance so far this season.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The team travelled to North Bendigo on Sunday to take on Golden City Black in round seven of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League 2.

Coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to La Trobe University Red on June 2 and a league bye last weekend, the Border Raiders were keen to return to winning ways against lower table opposition.

It was a cagey first half from both sides, but the Border Raiders managed to strike the first blow and take a precious 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

The second half was a different story. A bare minimum Golden City squad of 11 tired against the Border Raiders’ 14-man rotation, and Echuca Moama ran over the top of its opposition in the second 45, piling on five goals while maintaining its clean sheet to record a 6-0 thrashing.

Current Golden Boot runner-up Joel Fataolisia continued to get his name on the scoresheet, scoring two for the Border Raiders, while Jean-Claude Herman also picked up a brace.

Shaban Rizani and Boyd Davenport were the other goal-scorers in a comprehensive win for Echuca Moama.

In an impressive defensive display, the Border Raiders kept a clean sheet for just the second time this year, and the first since round one.

The win pushes the team into fourth place on the league table with a 3-0-3 record. There is a five-point gap ahead of it to third-placed Strathfieldsaye Colts, but the Border Raiders do have a game in hand against all three sides above them.

They will have the opportunity to close that gap on Saturday when they travel to face Strathfieldsaye in a late 5pm kick-off.

In the BASL League 2 women’s competition, the Border Raiders have made their way to the top of the league table, after dominating the competition in recent outings.

The side dished out consecutive 14-0 and 15-0 hidings on May 25 and June 1, rocketing to the top of the standings after Castlemaine Goldfields dropped their first points of the year.

After the league bye on June 8, the Border Raiders were set to face Strathfieldsaye Colts in round 10 on Saturday, but the Colts forfeited the fixture, handing Echuca Moama a 3-0 victory.

Now 8-0-1, the Border Raiders hold a two-point advantage over second-placed Castlemaine Goldfields (7-1-1). The side’s impressive 57-goal difference is the best in the competition, while Asha Davies’ 23 goals is also the most in the league.

Echuca Moama will be away to Swan Hill (3-0-6) on Sunday.