The Border Raiders defeated Deniliquin 3-1 on Saturday to move eight points clear at the top, and their position was mathematically confirmed when leading chaser Colts United FC lost to Castlemaine Goldfields Green 2-1 on Sunday.
The Border Raiders opener was a contender for fastest goal of the season, as Clayton Scott had the locals in front within 20 seconds.
Deniliquin was reeling, and the Wanderers’ troubles were only compounded when a bit of luck went the Border Raiders’ way.
Standing over a deep free kick, the wind got hold of Scott’s flighted entry pass, which sailed into the goal for Echuca-Moama’s second.
Leslie Otieno got Deniliquin back in the game in the 29th minute, cutting the deficit in half, but Samuel Wanesiofa restored the Border Raiders’ lead just four minutes later and the score was 3-1 at half-time.
Despite both club’s efforts to advance the half-time score, neither defence was breached again after the break, and Echuca-Moama went on to secure the three points.
The win improves the Border Raiders to 12-1-1 for the season.
Colts still have three games remaining to the Border Raiders’ two, but trail them by 11 points, while Swan Hill is eight back from Echuca-Moama with two games remaining.
It means the local side will be the regular season premier and will enter the finals as the number one seed when they begin on September 13.
At this stage, the semi-final would be another match-up with Deniliquin, which is in fourth.
As the premier, the Border Raiders have the right to consider promotion to League 1 over the off-season.
Subject to the discretion of Football Victoria, the club is entitled to move up, provided it meets the guidelines of the higher league, including the requirement to field a reserves side next season.
In women’s League 2, the Border Raiders are also in a promotion fight and have their destiny in their hands.
The side currently holds top spot by plus seven goal difference, level on 34 points with Swan Hill, but Echuca-Moama has two games remaining on its schedule to its rival’s one.
A win over Castlemaine Goldfields on Sunday, August 23, would all but guarantee top spot barring a big scoreline from Swan Hill, who also has Castlemaine remaining to play the following week.
The Border Raiders’ final game is on August 30 against La Trobe University, the league’s bottom side without a point to its name.
A combined four points over the two games will mathematically secure the premiership.
10°C