It was a dream grand final weekend for the Echuca Moama Border Raiders.
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Three sides entered searching for Bendigo Amateur Soccer League Super Cup Championships and all three emerged with the trophy in a clean sweep for the locals.
The senior women’s side, on its way up to League 1, said goodbye to the BASL second division on a positive note, claiming its second straight championship in Strathfieldsaye on Sunday.
The Border Raiders were in for a contest with Golden City White, who took the sides’ last meeting 1-0.
However, it was Echuca Moama who took the early lead this time around, with Louise O’Callaghan driving home a penalty to give the Border Raiders a half-time lead.
It was two midway through the second as co-coach Paige Pison curled a phenomenal free-kick from the side of the box into the far corner, with the Golden City defenders and goalkeeper helpless to respond.
“I was aiming at the back post because if it goes in, cool, but also all my teammates are there waiting for the ball and if I do miss they’re all there to pick it up,” Pinson said.
“Honestly, I was more nervous than anything else. There was a lot of pressure on it because I knew we weren’t getting many opportunities to have a shot.
“It was the best feeling in the world when I got it, I ran straight to my beautiful wife, celebrated with her, celebrated with the president of our club, Ryan (Quirk), it was just fantastic.
“The support we had from the Border Raiders family was just beautiful.”
With something to defend, Echuca Moama was motivated to close out the match, but a penalty to Golden City waylaid those plans, the lead reduced back to one.
The Border Raiders talismanic goal-scorer Asha Davies had the opportunity to seal the title after dribbling around the goalkeeper on a breakaway, but Golden City defender Ruby Cornelius was able to clear the ensuing shot off the line.
In the end, despite relentless pressure from White, the Border Raiders held on to claim the title 2-1.
“It was very intense, they definitely put the pressure on and they definitely wanted that win, but luckily we wanted it just that little bit more,” Pinson said.
“I’ve never been more proud of the girls. I’m so lucky to be able to coach them and play with them. I feel absolutely honoured to be allowed to do that.”
Pinson and co-coach Amelia Richardson, who was unable to participate in the grand final due to a personal commitment, will now guide the side into the BASL division one after finishing on top of the ladder.
“Definitely looking forward to next year in div one,” Pinson said.
“It’ll definitely be a whole different kettle of fish, but we're really looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to pushing ourselves and continuing to promote soccer, creating a safe environment for everyone to be a part of and hopefully getting a few wins under our belt.”
Juniors
Saturday saw a pair of simultaneous championships for the Border Raiders junior sides as the under-14A and under-12B girls sides were both in action against Castlemaine Gold at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve.
Under-14A
The Border Raiders under-14A side dominated all comers in the division this season, boasting a ridiculous regular season goal difference of +99, and it was no different in the grand final.
With the wind at its back, Echuca Moama fired through four goals in the opening half.
When the breeze turned to their opponent’s favour in the second, the Border Raiders were able to maintain parity with Castlemaine, the sides adding one goal apiece for a regulation 5-1 win to Echuca Moama.
“It’s four years in the making,” coach and Border Raiders president Ryan Quirk said.
“I’ve had the squad for four years and it’s been a lot of hard work and that all came together on Saturday afternoon, which was amazing.”
Harry Sly and Divish Gounder each bagged two goals, while Finn Murphy contributed one for the champions.
Under-12B girls
Across the ground, the under-12B girls side flipped the script on minor premier Castlemaine to claim the title 2-1.
The championship win is even more impressive, considering this is the first-ever junior girls’ team the Border Raiders have fielded, with coach Craig Danswan and assistant Kye Anderson developing the squad over the course of the season.
“Those girls had never played soccer before and they’ve gone on a journey from early this year all the way through and just gotten better and better,” Quirk said.
Quirk is feeling positive about the direction of the club after a strong season on and off the field.
“It was about ensuring that we had the right culture and the right community feel at the club and the results would come,” he said.
“We don’t really look at trophies as a way of marking ourselves, it’s more the smiles on the faces and happy members and happy players. But to take three teams to Bendigo for the Super Cup Finals and to walk away with three is just an amazing feeling.
“We couldn’t be happier for all those players and all the families involved.”
Cadet sports journalist