By Peter Stephenson
A mild Friday evening at Esther Park saw Barkerettes (third) host local rivals Lilydale Montrose United (forth) in another must-win.
Barkerettes, on a record run of 10 home wins in a row, were keen to avenge a 0-3 defeat at United, while keeper Ashleigh Fraraccio became the 14th Barkerette to reach 100 games.
Barkers began the better side and within 45 seconds, Lisa Walsh found Amy D’Ortenzio in space, who chipped the ball wide. Barkers were well aware of the pace of former teammate Holly Oldfield but on five minutes, gave the ball away to her. Oldfield sprinted clear but put her shot wide in a let-off for the hosts. Six minutes later, a United corner from the left saw Nikita Gentle lob the ball over the bar.
On 18 minutes, Barkers won a free-kick 25 yards out for handball, but Kirsten Murray’s kick was too close to keeper Melanie Closter who dealt with it comfortably. Then on the half-hour, Barkers won another free-kick, with the same result. However, Closter then cleared the ball poorly, allowing D’Ortenzio a sight of goal, but she shot wide. Three minutes before the break, a ball from the left found D’Ortenzio. She was attended by three defenders, but still managed to get a shot in, which failed to trouble Closter.
Just before half-time, Oldfield won a race with Barker Danica Treverton and broke away, but Kaity Farrance came steaming in with a crunching tackle to save the day. Half-time 0-0, with Barkers having had more of the ball, but United looking dangerous on the break, with the searing pace of Oldfield and Miranda Jackson (both ex-Barkers) testing the Barkers defence.
In the first minute of the second half Barkers had good chances from a corner on the right. Murray delivered the kick into the centre, and both D’Ortenzio and Zahra Goodman had shots blocked. Then on the hour, Walsh put a corner in from the left to the near post. It was cleared back out to her, and she shot just wide of the near post. Then Walsh laid the ball off for Hannah Lee, who shot narrowly wide.
The only chance of note late on was on 75 minutes when Aria Dhariwal tried to lob the keeper from distance, but once more it failed to trouble the competent Closter. Final score: Mooroolbark 0-0 Lilydale Montrose United.
This was a tight game and probably a fair result. Neither keeper was seriously troubled, but the key to winning a point for Barkers was the no-nonsense defending from Farrance. More than once Barkers had her to thank for dealing with the pacy United forwards. Barkers will view this as two points dropped, and must now rely on a little luck to catch Clifton Hill for second spot. Next is some more Friday Night Fever against Malvern City.
