THE Swan Hill men’s soccer team will again claim victory without setting foot onto the field, with the Border Raiders forfeiting this weekend’s fixture due to a lack of players.
It’s the third home match in a row where an opponent has forfeited to the Swans, with La Trobe University Black forfeiting last Saturday, resulting in a 3-0 win to Swan Hill, and Golden City Blacks’ forfeit in round 4 of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League’s Division 2 competition.
As a result, Swan Hill’s men’s team have played just one match at the Ken Harrison Reserve this season, in round 2.
With the team’s next match not scheduled until Saturday, July 13 against Strathfieldsaye Colts United, Swan Hill will have played just one game in 42 days.
The Swans are unbeaten, with nine wins from nine matches, to sit on top of the table and in prime position to claim the BASL Division 2 championship.
Club president Ben Muir-Howie told The Guardian this week the club and league were both searching for a solution to the ongoing problem of forfeits.
“Of course it is disappointing, especially for our players, but our club is working with BASL to help combat the number of forfeits Swan Hill are experiencing at the moment,” Muir-Howie said.
Despite the absence of the men’s game, this weekend still promises to be a big weekend at the Ken Harrison Reserve for three Swans teams.
The under-16 girls will kick off on Saturday when they host the unbeaten ladder leaders Spring Gully Renegades from 11am, with the under-16 boys match against Spring Gully Red to follow from 12.40pm.
While both under-16 teams would go in underdogs, an upset win wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility, with the girls having turned their form around with a 2-1 win over Kyneton District last Saturday, and the under-16 boys losing to Spring Gully 3-2 when the two teams clashed in round 4.
Also in action at home will be Swan Hill’s women’s team in a must-win match against Strathfieldsaye Colts United on Sunday from 1.30pm.
The Swans will be aiming to continue their turnaround in form, having lost 1-0 to top side Border Raiders last Sunday in a much-improved performance.
Swan Hill’s youth boys team will be the only side on the road this weekend, travelling to Bendigo to play La Trobe University SC on Sunday.
