Subzero conditions at the Kennel on Saturday saw Barkers (sixth) host North Caulfield (ninth) as the second half of the season began. Barkers made one change to the side which lost 0-2 at St Kilda, with Anthony Di Crea replacing Ryan Smith.
NC began better, and the first real chance came on 15 minutes when a solo run through the Barkers defence saw a good point blank save from keeper Vladi Velikin. Soon after, Tristan Walker hit a corner from the right, and Chris Potter leapt above a crowded box to head towards goal, but it was straight at keeper Liam Reeves.
Barkers soon took over, and on 23 minutes Marcus Watson crossed from the left for Walker, whose shot was blocked. Then James Barber was released on the right, but chose to shoot wide from a tight angle instead of crossing. Ross Clark then put Barber free on the right, and he won a corner. Walker delivered, and Watson’s weekly scissor kick went over.
The best chance of the half came seven minutes before the break. Watson’s cross from the right was blocked. Clark picked the ball up, drove to the byline and crossed to the far post, where Di Crea, with the goal at his mercy, headed straight at a grateful Reeves.
Just before half-time, a Barkers attack broke down and NC broke upfield, leading to a long shot which had Velikin scrambling across goal before the ball went wide. Then NC had a long shot which Velikin got behind. Half-time 0-0.
The second half was mostly a tale of what might have been for Barkers. NC again began brightly before Barkers asserted themselves. They dominated possession and territory, but clear cut chances were few. Just after the hour, Barkers forced a number of corners, but Watson, Ray Markley and Clark all had shots blocked in quick succession by a packed NC defence.
Against the run of play, NC fashioned two dangerous low shots in the last 10 minutes, and it would have been no surprise to any seasoned Barker supporter had NC pinched a winner. However, 0-0 it remained. How Barkers failed to put this game to bed is anyone’s guess. They remain sixth, only seven points off top, but have now drawn five games. Next is a tough trip to Peninsula Strikers.
