Peter Stephenson
Saturday night saw the mens seniors travel to Berwick City on a mild night at Jack Thomas Reserve.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, Barkers’ best effort in the first half saw Ross Clark’s shot blocked, the ball running to Matt Bell, who hit a fizzer just past the post on 21 minutes.
Half-time 0-0, with Barkers just having the better of play.
The first 15 minutes of the second half was Barkers’ best spell but the nearest they came to scoring was when Dan Burrows floated the ball to the far post, and Maxim Solovyev headed wide.
Just after the hour, Burrows thwarted a dangerous Berwick attack at the near post.
With 11 minutes left, a dangerous free-kick from City’s Dejan Radojicic forced Barkers keeper Mark Naumowicz to punch clear.
Deep into stoppage time, a Barkers attack broke down. Berwick broke swiftly with a sweeping move from left to right.
The cross was allowed to run through to the unmarked Radojicic, who had the simple task of finding an unguarded net to break Barkers’ hearts at the death.
Barkers are now winless in five since the opening day, and lie tenth of 12.
On Wednesday they travel to Monbulk Rangers in the last 32 of the FFA Cup, then on Saturday host eleventh-placed Doncaster Rovers at Esther Park.
Earlier, the mens reserves saw Bailey Cole score for Barkers after only 23 seconds, the third-fastest goal in club history.
Berwick equalised five minutes from time but Barkers showed their character when Trey Dekker slotted the winner in the eighty seventh minute.
The reserves are now unbeaten in five games and sit in seventh spot.
A beautiful sunny Sunday saw the fifth-placed Barkerettes womens seniors travel to Timber Ridge Reserve to face second-placed Manningham.
The hosts opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Tamika Jose netted from a free-kick, but 7 minutes later, Barkers’ Kelly Butera lobbed the Manningham keeper from fully 35 yards for the equaliser. Half-time 1-1 with Manningahm having the better of the half.
With the wind behind them, Barkerettes acquitted themselves better in the second half, and took the lead from a calmly placed shot from Jaimee Field on 57 minutes.
But 15 minutes from time, another Manningham free kick saw Brea Quinlivan equalise for 2-2.
Lisa Walsh had two golden chances to seal the game for Barkerettes but was thwarted by the brave, injured Nikita Jose in the home goal.
At the other end, in a frantic finish, Ash Fraraccio saved her side at least twice with crucial saves.
A spirited game ended all-square, and Barkerettes drop to sixth.
Next is a Friday night date with Swinburne at Esther Park.
