By Peter Stephenson
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. Those words are taken from Dante’s Divine Comedy, and should be written above the entrance to Esther Park. Going into Saturday’s game, the Barkers men had won nine and drawn one of their last 10 home league games. The Barkerettes had done even better, winning their last 10 in a row at the Kennel. We had forgotten what it was like to hear an opponent’s song after the game at home. Now, however, was a test.
The rain had conveniently stopped for the afternoon, but a heavy pitch was the least of third-placed Barkers’ worries as they hosted the side immediately above them. Peninsula Strikers had a six-point advantage, so this was a must-win for Barkers. Barkers named the same side that gained a last-gasp victory at Skye United, and were looking for their fourth win in a row.
Barkers attacked from the off, with the tenacious Jack Buglass winning a 50-50 challenge and crossing from the right for Sam Klepac, who shot just wide. Then Liam Seaye sent in an inswinging corner from the left, finding the head of Klepac, who sent a glancing header wide. After that Geordie Scott was fouled, and Paul McEvoy hit a curling free-kick wide. Then Sean Perrin hit a corner from the right to the far post, where Seaye headed wide. All this in the first seven minutes.
On 13 minutes Barkers attacked again and Buglass was fouled on the edge of the box. Seaye hit his free-kick into the Strikers wall, and the follow-up from Scott was blocked. On the quarter-hour, Pines finally had a chance when they volleyed over. Finally, the goal came – at the wrong end! On 20 minutes, Barkers gave the ball away and Strikers broke, finding Cooper Andrews, who turned and hit a neat shot from 20 yards past keeper Mark Naumowicz to give Strikers a 1-0 lead very much against the run of play.
Barkers now looked less certain of themselves, and again lost the ball in a dangerous area. Strikers crossed from the left to find Riley Anderton, whose header rose awkwardly and forced a spectacular tip over the bar from Naumowicz.
Having cleared the danger, Barkers resumed their dominance. On the half-hour, Dan Higgins sent a cross from the right to the far post. Perrin absolutely leathered the ball from a tight angle, and although keeper Ben Caballero got plenty on the ball, he couldn’t stop it finding the net for a fully-deserved equaliser.
Ten minutes before the break, Strikers gave the ball away and McEvoy hit a lovely curling shot which drew a brilliant save from Caballero, who tipped the ball onto the bar. Then McEvoy sent the ball into the box for Brett Tronconi, whose shot was blocked.
Suddenly, out of nothing, came a candidate for goal of the season. McEvoy, who was spraying the ball around superbly, hit a long ball towards the left wing. It just cleared a defender’s head and ran nicely for Perrin. He delivered an inviting cross for Klepac, whose first touch sent the ball into the corner of the net for an absolutely blinding goal – 2-1 Barkers.
In first half stoppage time, all the good work was almost undone as Strikers hit Barkers on the counter, but it was Seaye who laid a crucial tackle to save the day. Half-time: Mooroolbark 2-1 Peninsula Strikers, in a rip roaring game.
Barkers began the second half as they left off, with Klepac laying the ball back for Scott, who hit a shot into the side-netting. Then Perrin hit a corner from the right. Tronconi leapt like a salmon but miscued, and the ball went out to Buglass, whose low shot skimmed past the post.
Just before the hour, the ball broke for McEvoy, who hit a long ball towards Buglass. He shook off a defender but then miscued his shot wide. Not to worry, because then Strikers gave the ball away. Klepac, who was working phenomenally hard, put the ball through for Scott. He ran onto the ball and provided his customary calm finish to make it 3-1 Barkers.
Strikers now became very physical – they were probably unaccustomed this season to being second best. With 20 minutes left Seaye took a free-kick from midfield and Tronconi headed narrowly wide. Then on 72 minutes, Barkers won a corner on the right. Perrin hit the ball in, and Klepac was pushed to the ground. The referee pointed to the spot, and Klepac coolly despatched the ball to Caballero’s left to mke it 4-1. The final chance fell to Strikers’ Jai Power, who turned and shot at Naumowicz, who parried the ball wide.
This was as comprehensive a victory as you could wish for against the second-placed side. I haven’t seen Barkers play better for a long time and this was fully deserved. With five games to go, Mooroolbark stay third, three points behind Strikers. We certainly won’t die wondering. Next, though, is a tricky trip to Berwick City, where keeper Mark Naumowicz should make his 100th appearance.
