The Border Raiders looked to be in the box seat in the first half at Jack Eddy Oval when prolific goal scorer Joel Fataolisia once again got his name on the score sheet in the sixth minute before the home side added another before the half-hour mark for a 2-0 advantage.
Disaster struck later in the half as some miscommunication saw the Border Raiders concede an own goal and let Golden City back into the contest.
Coach Rish Kothari told his players during the break they needed to refocus and convert the chances they were creating, but things went awry again in the second half.
“I think that’s sort of been the story (of our season),” Kothari said.
“We are creating chances, we are creating so many opportunities, but games like this we need to make sure we put those opportunities to bed, make sure you’re four goals up, five goals up, so that even little mistakes don’t cost us.
“It kind of happened in the second half. (We were) through on goal, got called offside, 30 seconds later they get a penalty, make it two-all and from there on there’s obviously pressure on the side.”
However, as the game wore on, the Border Raiders continued to establish dominance of the tie, and Fataolisia stood up once again at the death.
“Lucky for us, in the end, I think the opposition lost their legs and we had enough numbers to rotate our frontline,” Kothari said.
“(We) kept going at it, created more chances and got a goal pretty much in the first minute of injury time to win the game.”
This is the latest phenomenal goal-scoring performance from Fataolisia, who has now found the net nine times in four games, the best mark in the league.
“He’s got really good pace up front and pressure,” Kothari said of his striker.
“Joel has really shown over the season that I don’t need to sub him off, he’s gonna give me those 90 minutes.
“If there’s a loose ball, he’s putting pressure, and if the defence loses the ball to him, he’s going to run rings past them.”
At the other end of the pitch, Pat Hicks starred, named the Border Raiders’ player of the game for his leadership in the defensive line.
“Pat marshalled the backline from start to finish, it was a brilliant game for him,” Kothari said.
“He had a great game (with a) few really good long balls and opportunities created from the back, but he essentially kept the backline in shape, made sure that we didn't give any chances away.”
The Border Raiders (2-0-2) will be at home again next Sunday as they take on La Trobe University Red (3-1-1), who are currently in second place on the ladder
BASL 2 Women’s
The Border Raiders women’s side completed the Epsom double on Sunday.
After a dominant 8-1 performance at home over Epsom Scorpions on May 19, they travelled to Epsom Huntly Reserve and demolished Epsom Stingers 14-0 this week.
Co-coach Paige Pinson and Asha Davies each added five goals to their season tally, while Louise O’Callaghan also had a hat-trick and Cora Wilson rounded out the scoring.
The Border Raiders (6-0-1) moved to the top of the ladder on goal difference after the previously undefeated Castlemaine Goldfields was beaten by Kyneton District.
June 2 sees the side return to Jack Eddy Oval where it will face La Trobe University (3-0-4)
