A sunny day at Kooyong Park saw Barkerettes (sixth) visit Malvern City (seventh). Barkers had only pride to play for, as they could finish no higher than fourth. Malvern, however, were in a relegation scrap.
In the first minute, City had a tame shot straight at Ash Fraraccio. The Barkers defence was looking uncertain as Malvern took the game to them. On six minutes, City’s Yari Aguado sent a good corner from the left across the face of the Barkers goal – the slightest touch would have sent the ball into the net.
Barkers, though, quickly played themselves into the games, with Emily Stokes racing down the right regularly. On 16 minutes, a sweeping move from left to right saw Amy D’Ortenzio find Stokes on the wing, but she shot over.
The breakthrough came from a corner on the right. Hannah Turnbull delivered a beauty into the centre, and Eleanor Ridley rose to head home to make it 1-0 Barkers on 24 minutes. Five minutes later, Stokes crossed, and D’Ortenzio chested the ball down, but the defence cleared.
Ten minutes before the break, Malvern had a good period of pressure, leading to a low shot which Fraraccio’s fingertips guided round the post.
Just before the break, Stokes played the ball inside for Charlotte McCullough, who laid back to Stokes, but the shot went over. Then Alizah Jones went on a solo run but was crowded out by defenders. Half-time: Malvern 0-1 Barkers, with the visitors overcoming a slow start to take control.
Seven minutes into the second half, McCullough was clear but was brought down. The ref saw fit to only give the offender a yellow card. The free kick was played short to Kelly Butera, who shot over. Barkers then killed the game stone dead in the space of a minute.
Just after the hour, Barkers had a free kick for a foul on Jones, on the right just inside the City half. Laelah Gundry sent the ball into the box, and there was Butera to head home for 2-0 – I don’t recall Barkers scoring two headers in a game before.
Barkers attacked again from the kick off, and Stokes found herself in on goal. This time she executed a deft chip over the keeper to make it 3-0.
Barkers sensed blood, and next, Jones raced clear, but her shot was deflected wide. Then Charlotte Martin sent a corner in from the right, and Kaity Farrance almost made it three headers in the same game. With 15 minutes to go, a lovely move involving Martin and D’Ortenzio saw Stokes hit over. Full-time: Malvern 0-3 Barkers, a comfortable victory. Next is the final home game, against Aspendale.
