Rishabh Kothari and the Border Raiders men returned to the winners column with a dominant display over Deniliquin. Photos: Matthew Kappos.
Border Raiders FC experienced another mixed round of Bendigo Amateur Soccer League action, with the men’s side grabbing its second success of the year, while the women were just off the pace.
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The men’s side snagged its second win of the year in BASL League 2 on Saturday in dominant fashion, defeating Deniliquin Wanderers, the same opponent it beat on the opening day.
Paul Picart was lethal early at Rotary Park in Deniliquin, slotting two goals within the first 10 minutes.
Eoin Kelly quickly followed up in the 13th minute, giving the Border Raiders full control of the game.
Hamish Baker pounced on an opportunity later in the half to put the Wanderers on the scoresheet, and after a period of relative quiet for the scorekeeper, the sides went into the break at 3-1.
The Border Raiders continued to have the best of the field position, but were struggling to convert on the scoreboard.
Eventually, weight of possession won through and first Dillon Cahill and then Daniel Rizani were able to find the back of the net within minutes of each other, pushing Echuca-Moama ahead 5-1.
Baker grabbed his second for Deniliquin to narrow the margin slightly, but Kelly’s second on 90 minutes capped off a strong Border Raiders win.
Amelia Richardson’s Border Raiders defence couldn’t hold for 90 minutes, the side going down to two second-half goals.
On Sunday, the Border Raiders’ women’s side was in the spotlight as it faced off against Shepparton United at McEwen Reserve in Shepparton.
Against top-four opposition, Echuca-Moama displayed resilient defending throughout the first half and the two sides went into the sheds with the game locked at nil-all.
The second half started similarly, but United was finally able to make the breakthrough in the 57th minute, Shepparton’s pressure forcing an own goal from the Border Raiders’ defence.
The goal opened the game up as Echuca-Moama was forced to chase the equalizer and United was able to capitalise late, with Maria Villani finding her side's second a minute before the end of regulation.
The 2-0 defeat continues the trend of narrow defeats for the Border Raiders in their inaugural season in League 1.
Aside from an outlier in round one, the side's other defeats have all come by two goals or fewer.
The women’s next game is an away tie against Spring Gully on Saturday, while the men will be at home on Jack Eddy Oval against Golden City.
