One to go: Border Raiders in search of league and championship double

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 12, 2024

Echuca Moama Border Raiders co-coach Paige Pinson’s side is within a game of defending its Bendigo Amateur Soccer League 2 title. Photo: Matthew Kappos

After sewing up the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League 2 league title and securing promotion to League 1, the Echuca Moama Border Raiders now have their sights set on the grand final.

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

Echuca Moama will take on Golden City White, looking for back-to-back championships in Strathfieldsaye on Sunday.

The Border Raiders progressed through the semi-finals with a tense 1-0 victory over Kyneton at the weekend.

Louise O’Callaghan’s first-half strike was enough for Echuca Moama to progress to the decider.

Attention now turns to Golden City White, who defeated the Border Raiders 1-0 in their last meeting in round 14.

It was a much different scoreline in round two, Echuca Moama prevailing 7-2.

Border Raiders co-coach Paige Pinson has her squad focusing on the basics ahead of the crucial encounter.

“We’ve been working on a lot of simple stuff,” she said.

“I don’t find a point in starting a whole new regime of things. We’re just working on simple things; passing, through balls shooting, communication.

“Just getting all those easy things down pat to make the game easier for us on the day.”

In terms of availability, Pinson has a near full-strength squad with co-coach Amelia Richardson the only expected out for the Border Raiders.

The Border Raiders are prepared for a tough encounter with a young and hungry Golden City side.

“They’re very young and very fast,” Pinson said.

“They’re also a great team to face and we’re very happy to be facing them in the finals.

“It’s always just a really good experience versing them and it’s always a tough game.

“It’s physical, but it’s not dirty, it’s always just good clean soccer.”

Regardless of whether they can bring home the title Echuca Moama has the heady heights of League 1 to look forward to in 2025.

“We’re very excited,” Pinson said.

“We’re hoping to have a few new girls register in the coming year and give us a bit of a helping hand to continue to improve but overall we're looking forward to it.

“The possibility of being up there and hopefully getting up there mid-table, top the table would be nice, but also being realistic coming from Div two going to Div one, it’d be nice to get a few wins in.”