It took Asha Davies less than two minutes to sink the decisive goal that delivered Border Raiders FC a League 2 grand final appearance.
A dangerous Paige Pinson free kick curled its way into the Raiders’ box, and it was Davies who capitalised early in the second semi-final against Kyneton Rangers, tapping the ball in for a near-immediate opening strike and her 30th goal of the season.
But despite the Raiders earning the lion’s share of scoring opportunities for the remainder of the clash in Swan Hill, the Rangers weren’t letting their opportunity slip away without a fight, sending alarm bells through the Raiders’ camp with a shot on goal in the 88th minute.
Enter Amelia Richardson.
The Raiders’ goalkeeper held her nerve to make a crucial goal-line save and send her side on its way to claiming a thrilling 1-0 win, achieving a goal a year in the making since exiting last year’s race at the preliminary final stage — a grand final berth.
“Everyone was excited,” Raiders’ coach Pat Hicks said.
“The girls haven’t played in a grand final in a couple of years, so it will be good.
“(Kyneton’s late opportunity) was one of those heart-in-mouth moments where you can dominate for so long, and then the other team gets a half chance at the other end. Fortunately, Amelia Richardson saved it on the line.“
Davies and Richardson’s heroics bookended a dominant second half as the ball spent most of the time camped in the Raiders’ front half, but for all their possession, a second goal found itself hard to come by.
“The game was fairly open for most of the first half until we made a few tweaks at half-time,” Hicks said.
“Particularly in the second half, just being effective with our attacking press and not letting them out of their half, it meant every time the ball was turned over, it was close to goal.
“From half-time, we dominated the ball and created a lot of chances; we just couldn’t find the back of the net.”
Despite a close-run finish, no-one can deny that the Raiders women are now in the box-seat to claim a rare piece of silverware, and they have earned the right to a two-week break as Kyneton and La Trobe University face off in the preliminary final for the right to challenge Moama Echuca.
The Raiders will compete in the League 2 women’s decider on Sunday, September 17, at 10am out at McEwen Reserve in Shepparton.