Mixed fortunes for Border Raiders in first double-header

The men’s side decimated La Trobe University Black, 5-0, with striker Joel Fataolisia bagging all five goals in a dominant performance from the home side.

Coach Rish Kothari was pleased with the first game performance by his team, who executed the established game plan they had devised to beat La Trobe.

“I think the most important part of our success was the team stuck to the game plan,” he said.

“La Trobe like passing the ball around on their back line, and our idea was to put pressure on their defenders up forward, make sure we cut those passes off, allow them to make those mistakes and capitalise on them.

“Our forwards and midfielders executed that plan well and took the chances that were created.”

Kothari praised star striker Fataolisia, who managed to create chances of his own and finish off set plays facilitated by the midfield.

The Border Raiders’ tactical decision to rest Fataolisia in stretches meant that he was fresh to convert on attacking chances regularly, ultimately taking the game away from La Trobe.

“Joel played very well; the good thing about rotating subs is that we could play him in 20-minute stretches and then rest him for 10,” he said.

“He created our first goal by himself by executing our plan perfectly, he put pressure on the defenders in their back line, won the ball and capitalised.

“That’s exactly what we want from our striker, make sure he’s putting pressure on the defenders and turning chances into goals.”

Kothari is quietly confident for the rest of the season after their first showing. They are eyeing a finals berth and hope to go a couple of steps further this year.

“As the season progresses, even though we are a new side, we want to finish in the top two or top four to make finals; that is our goal, and we keep building together as a team,” he said.

Meanwhile, the women’s side was unlucky not to walk away with a win in a tight contest, losing to Castlemaine Goldfields FC 3-5 in what was their third match of the season.

Despite the result, player-coach Paige Pinson was happy with her side’s effort in the game, and the sportsmanship shown by both sides during the contest.

“Everyone’s attitude was positive the whole way through the game, and the girls did really well; they were committed, and they backed themselves up to the end,” she said.

“Obviously, we had a loss, which is okay. It’s the first game of the season (that we have lost), and Castlemaine are a great side to play against. It’s always a lovely, clean game.”

Injuries and absences hampered the Border Raiders, who were missing two key players and another who went down with an injury in the first half.

Pinson said fitness would be the key thing to work on in upcoming games and training sessions to avoid further injuries and to battle for the whole game.

“I think in terms of working on things throughout the season, a little bit of fitness wouldn’t go astray; we were missing a few players as well, so that’s always a bit hard,” she said.

“It would’ve made a big difference having the extra two girls there, Erica and my co-coach Amelia, who have more wisdom and experience on the field.

“Courtney, one of our other key players, got injured in the first half, so she didn’t get to participate in the second half, which was a bit rough.”

Asha Davies scored two goals in the match, with Pinson scoring one and assisting on the other two.

Pinson outlined two centre-backs as their best on, with one still relatively new to playing organised soccer.

“Our two best players for the game were Louise O’Callaghan and Maia Hall,” she said.

“Maia hadn't played before and had a brilliant game as centre-back. She held us together for a bit, and it was brilliant.

“Louise also had a great game; she was our other centre-back, and they kept us in it throughout the contest. It was fantastic.”

The women’s side has a bye on Sunday, while the men host Strathfieldsaye Colts United FC at Jack Eddy Oval, with kick-off set for 2pm on Sunday.