By Peter Stephenson
A balmy Thursday evening at the Kennel saw Barkerettes continue their Nike FC Cup quest with a fourth-round tie at home to Victorian Premier League leaders Avondale.
This was a huge challenge, with the visitors sitting top of the VPL with a 100 per cent record, and having dispatched Altona City 7-0 in the previous round. Barkerettes made two changes to the side which knocked out State 1 side South Yarra, with Kelly Butera and Alizah Jones replacing Emily Stokes and Holly White.
Barkers were on the back foot from the off. Avondale won at least half a dozen corners in as many minutes, with Barkers’ keeper Ash Fraraccio punching clear regularly, and saving with her feet at least once. On 10 minutes, Avondale’s Chantelle Candia raced down the left, her cross was cleared, and Aaliyah Mukhwana’s low shot went wide. Then Barkers gave the ball away but Alexis Sketchley snuffed out the threat with a great block.
Three minutes later, dangerous Avondale striker Addison Steiner turned and shot wide, then Fraraccio saved with her feet. How long could Barkers hold out against the barrage? The dam was finally breached on 16 minutes. A throw-in from the right found Steiner in space, and a lethal snapshot found the net despite Fraraccio getting a hand to it – 1-0 Avondale. Four minutes later, a cross from the right was turned in by Steiner for her and Avondale’s second – 2-0.
Just before the half-hour, Steiner went on a mazy run down the left before crossing for Kurea Okino, who swept the ball home for 3-0. Then on 34 minutes, a precise through ball split the defence and found Okino, who hit a low crisp shot to make it 4-0. Okino and Steiner, who had bagged 18 goals in 5 league games, were a handful for the Barkers defence, but brief respite was provided by a superb tackle from Barkers’ Miranda Jackson on 39 minutes. The last five minutes saw a long shot from Steiner which was well saved by Fraraccio, then Candia found the net from distance to make the half-time score Mooroolbark 0-5 Avondale. The second half saw Avondale continue the barrage. Three minutes in, Larissa Walsh hit home from close range to make it 6-0, then a cross from the left from Saphri Lines was hit low into the corner of the net by Walsh to make it 7-0. After this absolute deluge, now came Barkers’ best period of the game. On 52 minutes, Jones attacked into the Avondale box and was pushed down, but the referee waved play on. Then an Avondale attack was snuffed out by a great interception from Hannah Turnbull. With 20 minutes to go, Barkers’ substitute Alifya Loka beat one player but was blocked by the next defender. Then a Jones interception almost set up Loka – Barkers were now making the Avondale defence earn their corn.
Inevitably, this couldn’t last, and on 73 minutes, Barkers gave the ball away at the back, Mukhwana seized on the error and shot past Fraraccio for 8-0. Then a corner from the left by Lines deflected in off a defender at the near post to make it 9-0. In the last five minutes, Jones went on a good run, but then Avondale replied with a good through ball, Fraraccio bravely dived at the forward’s feet, and got a headache and a free-kick for her trouble.
Full-time Mooroolbark 0-9 Avondale.
Avondale are five from five in the VPL, with a goal difference of 27-2 , and have already hit double figures in a VPL game. They have beaten an array of National Premier League sides in pre-season, and must be short odds to win the VPL, and tonight we saw why. This was no ordinary VPL side, if there is such a thing. Remember too, that Barkers were the last remaining State 2 side in the Cup.
What Barkers didn’t do is as telling as the result itself. They didn’t pack the defence, they didn’t get frustrated, and they played football when they had the chance. The way to test someone’s character is to see how they react under pressure. For that, the Barkers can hold their heads high and look forward to the impending league season.
Anzac Day (Friday) sees three Barkers’ sides in action in the evening. The men’s seniors and reserves travel to Doncaster Rovers (Anderson Park, 6pm/8pm) while Women’s State 2 host Collingwood City (Esther Park, 8.30pm) in the opening league game. Sunday sees the debut of our second women’s side, in State 4, as they visit East Kew (Willsmere Park, 3pm). Finally, no fewer than 31 Barkers’ junior teams take their seasonal bow on Saturday and Sunday.
