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Moama-Echuca Border Raiders in, Shepparton United out.
We're only four rounds into the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League season, but the championship race is already taking shape and the Raiders and Shepparton United are the surprise packets for different reasons.
The Raiders outclassed Shepparton United 3-0 on Sunday leaving last year's championship runner-up with just one point from its first three games.
In contrast Echuca-Moama has made great improvement this year and has moved into second place on the ladder with three wins from four matches.
A brace from young gun Cooper Arkinstall and a single goal from Ryan Perry ensured the Raiders got the points over Shepparton United.
The Raiders trail ladder leader Eaglehawk by one point.
The regining champion Hawks were forced to work harder than anticipated to get the three points against the young Epsom side.
After a scoreless first half, Eaglehawk's star midfielder Nathan Hamblin was sent off in the 61st minute after receiving his second yellow card of the game.
Borough coach Greg Thomas broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he headed home a goal before Scottish import Craig Rennie sealed the deal in the 90th minute when he took advantage of an Epsom turnover and slotted his fourth goal of the season.
"Epsom made it very difficult for us and, at the same time, we didn't help ourselves,'' Thomas said.
"Full credit to Epsom they battled away. We kept turning the ball over and when we did get chances we didn't take them.
"We actually played better when we went a man down. We were more than happy to get the three points."
Eaglehawk's next opponent is Golden City and the Rams are full of confidence after defeating La Trobe University 5-0.
The Rams led 1-0 at half-time before putting the game away with an explosive four-goal burst midway through the second half.
Ehsoo Seven scored a hat-trick for the Rams, while 15-year-old midfielder Caydn Thompson scored his first goal at senior level and English import Abdirizak Hussein also found the back of the net.
"I always felt we were a few weeks behind in our preparation, but now we have the full squad together I feel as though we've established the style of play we want to play,'' Golden City coach Nathan Claridge said.
"It's a massive step forward from a month ago."
A month ago the Rams lost 7-1 to Strathdale in the season-opener.
After having the bye in rounds two and three, the Blues returned to action on Sunday in emphatic style.
They handed Shepparton a 13-0 drubbing and it quite conceivably could have been worse for the visitors had Strathdale not wasted several chances.
Recruit Daniel Purdy scored five times for Strathdale, Ethan Hunter came off the bench to score four goals in the final 13 minutes and Jack Kelly, Dean Vlaeminck Sam Farr and Steve Barrett also joined in the scoring onslaught.
Tatura held on to defeat Colts United 4-3.
Liam Nash scored a hat-trick for the home side inside the opening half hour before adding his fourth in the 50th minute. Colts stormed home, finding the back of the net three times, but it wasn't enough to get a point.
Next week's division one matches - La Trobe University v Tatura, Shepparton United v Epsom, Colts United v Strathdale, Golden City v Eaglehawk.
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