Fresh off their first win of the season, the Border Raiders could do little to slow down the Swan Hill juggernaut as the top-of-the-table Swans cruised to a 6-0 victory at Jack Eddy Reserve.
Three goals in the opening 16 minutes had Swan Hill in a commanding position early, and a fourth goal before the break put the result all but beyond doubt.
A formation change in the second half shored up Moama Echuca’s defence, with the home side looking more solid down back, and the Raiders were able to stem the flow of goals, conceding just twice after the break.
Despite the scoreline, it was still Moama Echuca’s best result against the Swans.
Swan Hill claimed 9-0 and 13-0 victories the previous times the two sides met, with Saturday’s result highlighting the improvements the Border Raiders have made throughout the season.
“We have certainly improved quite a lot, we have taken some big steps forward,” Border Raiders coach Jonathon Keele said. “Overall, it wasn’t all bad.”
Already facing an almighty challenge against the top side, the Border Raiders were left on the back foot before the clash even began on Saturday.
Without their starting goalkeeper and with a handful of players forced to pull out the morning of the game, the Raiders were forced to reshuffle their line-up.
“We were very much undermanned, that had an impact from the start,” Keele said.
“Saturday morning we lost five players, straight up. That left us without a couple of midfielders, our number one striker and a defender.
“Overall, other than the first 15 minutes, I was reasonably happy with the game considering what we had out on the park. If we bring some guys who were unavailable on Saturday back into our team, I think we can take it to Swan Hill.”
Keele praised the efforts of Rick Bartle, who donned the goalkeeper’s gloves for the first time since he was a junior.
“Rick did a great job in goals considering that is the first time he has been in goals, it was an outstanding effort,” Keele said.
The Border Raiders have a bye this weekend before returning to action on Saturday, July 23 when they take on Division 1 reserves side Epsom FC in the League Cup.
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