By Peter Stephenson
A cloudy, humid Kennel was the scene on Saturday for Barkers’ first home league game of the State 2SE season. Having beaten North Caulfield 2-1 last week, they anticipated a sterner test today, as they faced Peninsula Strikers, a side that had beaten them in their last 4 meetings, scoring 16 goals in the process. Barkers made one enforced change to last week’s side, with James Barber replacing the injured Aaron Porcaro, and Caleb Haberle set to debut from the bench.
In the first minute, Barkers put a ball in from the left for Christian Sapardanis, who shot at Ben Caballero in the Strikers’ goal. After that, the pattern was a wave of Strikers attacks repelled by determined defending from Barkers. First, the ball on the right was laid back for Ethan Goulding for a shot past the post. Then they attacked on the left, with Campbell Steedman crossing a ball which flashed across the Barkers’ goal.
On 17 minutes, a ball from the left found Steedman, whose deft shot hit the post as Barkers keeper Vladi Velikin dived to cover. Then, Cooper Andrews turned and shot, but the lack of power saw Velikin gather safely. Barber was working overtime to contain the threat of Steedman and Andrews – an interesting tactic from coach Dave Stack, as Barber usually plays up front.
Strikers continued to attack, and on 25 minutes, Goulding hit a shot well over the bar. Then, on the half hour, a dangerous Strikers ball on the left was cleared by Porcaro with two forwards closing in. Steedman had a run and shot wide, then Riley Anderton laid back for Matthew Harrington, whose shot hit the bar. Next, Harrington floated a ball in from the left, but Porcaro headed clear. On the half hour, having absorbed a ton of pressure, Barkers ventured into Strikers’ territory. Ross Clark robbed the ball and ran on to send the ball out to Sapardanis, whose first-time shot was blocked by Caballero. Then Marcus Watson sent a low free kick in from the left wing, which was scrambled clear from the near post. Two minutes before the break, a Sean Perrin corner from the left was punched clear from under the bar by Caballero – half-time 0-0 in a fascinating battle. The second half began with Barkers maintaining the momentum they built at the end of the first. Watson was fouled just inside the attacking half, and Clark’s free kick found Tristan Walker, who put the ball into the 6-yard box, but Strikers scrambled clear. Then Anthony Di Crea slipped the ball inside for Clark, who hit a lovely curling ball to the right wing to find Walker in space, but he shot over.
On 53 minutes, Strikers had a corner on the left, from which Steedman scooped the ball over the bar. Then just before the hour, the best chance of the game fell to Clark, whose snap shot from 20 yards forced a brilliant tip wide from Caballero. Watson’s weekly bicycle kick came on 64 minutes. Walker sent Sapardanis down the right, he crossed to the far post and Watson had a try at the spectacular, to no avail.
Unlike the first half, which was all Strikers, the second was an even, gritty contest where no quarter was asked or given. On 67 minutes, a looping Strikers free kick on the left was punched clear by Velikin at his near post. A few minutes later, Watson was put in the clear, but a heavy first touch allowed a defender to get back and tackle. As the game wore on, it was time for the captain to step up.
With 11 minutes left, a Barkers corner from the left was cleared on the far side out to Walker. He laid back for Harry Rushton, who put the ball back into the centre, where Watson had a shot which was superbly pushed away by Caballero. Perrin was first to the rebound, and he calmly picked his way past the defence to slot home from close range to give Barkers the lead.
As with North Caulfield the previous week, Strikers gave Barkers a nervous last 10 minutes. Kyron Kerr curled a ball from the right to the far post, where Jaiden Madafferi headed against the post. Then Jacob Pay unleashed a screamer which brought a spectacular diving save from Velikin. In stoppage time, Velikin made a crucial grab before Haberle almost iced his debut cake, but was thwarted by the keeper. Full-time: Barkers 1-0 Strikers.
Strikers will go away from this game wondering how they didn’t score, but for Barkers, this was an outstanding defensive performance against a strong opponent. All across the back line there were towering displays, but by common agreement, it was Barber, having his first start, who was the rock upon which this win was built. Elsewhere, Barkers looked comfortable on the ball when they got it, and Barkers top the early ladder along with Skye United, the only two sides to have won their opening two games.
The reserves lost 1-3, with the goal coming from Hamish Campbell. They have won one and lost one and lie 7 th in the 12-team ladder. Next Saturday, Barkers travel to local rivals Knox City – kick-off 1pm (reserves) and 3pm (seniors).
