By Peter Stephenson
Barkerettes (third) travelled to face Aspendale (fourth).
Barkers needed to win to keep up with Endeavour in the battle for second. First is not yet beyond either side, but let’s be realistic.
As usual, Alizah Jones caused plenty of problems for the opposition, and on nine minutes put a shot wide. Two minutes later, Barkers’ rotten luck began. Selina Barrueto went down with a head injury, but play continued. A good ball out to the right saw a shot which Ashleigh Fraraccio saved with her foot, but the ball came out to another forward who hit a well-placed shot into the net – 1-0 to Aspendale with Barkerettes absolutely furious that play was not halted for the injury.
On 18 minutes, a nice move down the right saw Jones cross for Amy D’Ortenzio. She got her shot in under pressure but Aspendale keeper Lauren Mills was well-positioned to block.
Two minutes later, Jones was through with only the keeper to beat, but the shot had no power and Mills was untroubled. Then D’Ortenzio forced another save out of Mills. Both sides were contributing to a good, open game, but Lisa Walsh was out of luck on 38 minutes when she latched on to a through ball and scored. Unfortunately, she had strayed offside.
Barkers thought their luck had turned just before half time when an Aspendale handball saw the referee point to the spot – penalty! However, Walsh’s kick was saved and Barkers went in 0-1 down at the break.
Within two minutes of the restart, it was handball again and another penalty to Barkers. This time, D’Ortenzio stepped up. Remarkably, again Mills saved the spot-kick to the delight of the home fans.
On the hour, Kelly Butera swung a corner right under the crossbar, but Mills punched clear. Then Walsh was one-on-one with the keeper, but the shot was saved. Barkers had numerous other chances but just could not get past Mills, who was quite brilliant.
This was an immensely frustrating game.
Aspendale are a decent side, but as highest scorers in the league, they have put only two past Barkers this year. This result puts Aspendale just one point behind Barkers. On the bright side, Endeavour drew, so Barkers can go second on goal difference if we beat them next Friday.
Gippsland are now four points clear of Endeavour and seven clear of Barkers.
