By Peter Stephenson
A mild Friday night at Esther Park saw the table-topping Barkerettes host yet another new opponent in mid-table Chisholm, in round 8 of Women’s State 3 South.
Barkerettes were on a five-match winning run, and another win would put them five points clear of the pack before Sunday’s games.
In the first 30 seconds, Amy D’Ortenzio hit a shot towards goal from the right. Keeper Evangelia Starakis got both hands to the ball but Lisa Walsh came in and headed the ball in as it dropped to her. Confusion ensued. Who had scored? Had the ball crossed the line before Walsh got to it? We’ll never know so I’m taking a punt on D’Ortenzio. At 28 seconds it was the third-fastest Barkerette goal ever.
Chisholm didn’t care – they settled straight away and Dantee Sgarioto was soon in on goal but Ashleigh Fraraccio blocked at her near post. Chisholm were knocking the ball around nicely, but as soon as they made an error, Barkers pounced. On 12 minutes a miskick saw D’Ortenzio gain possession. She crossed beautifully from the right and Walsh volleyed into the net to make it 2-0 Barkers.
On 18 minutes, Sgarioto broke free but was foiled by a good tackle from Hannah Lee. Barkers replied when Alizah Jones beat her marker and centred from the right for D’Ortenzio. She laid back for Kelly Butera, who shot over. Jones then laid off to Courtney Wipperfurth, who squared to D’Ortenzio. Her shot looked a goal all the way but somehow Starakis tipped the ball onto the bar. Shortly afterwards, though, D’Ortenzio made no mistake from close range and it was 3-0 Barkers.
On 26 minutes, Chisholm crossed from the right and found Maria Floros in space, but she put a shot wide when she should have hit the target. Barkers were getting sloppy and on the half hour, Michaela Kambranis put a crossfield ball through to Lia Bauzon, who popped up unmarked at the far post and put the ball wide of Fraraccio to make it 3-1. Then Sgarioto turned smartly and shot wide.
The final word of the half went to Jones, who ran on to a lovely through ball before shooting just beyond the far post. Half-time: Mooroolbark 3-1 Chisholm United.
Barkers spent most of the second half penned in their own half. How Chisholm failed to score is a question only they can answer but they looked much the better side. On 48 minutes, Jones crossed for D’Ortenzio who turned and shot at the keeper. After that, Sgarioto and Angelina Valiakas had half chances for the visitors.
The only Barker who came near to threatening in the second half was Gracie Touliatos, who chipped over on 76 minutes, then almost put Walsh through right at the death. In the end the final whistle couldn’t come quickly enough and Barkers can thank their good finishing in the first half for the points. Full-time: Mooroolbark 3-1 Chisholm United.
The Barkers men travelled to Hampton East Brighton. The reserves lost 1-3 with a goal from Jack Buglass. However, the senior game was postponed due to the state of the pitch at Dendy Park.
Among the juniors, winners were boys’ under 14s (6-2 v Ashburton United), boys’ under 12 Joeys (6-1 v Lilydale Montrose United), girls’ under 17/18 (4-2 v Glen Eira), girls’ under 15 (6-0 v Old Scotch) and girls’ under 13 (3-0 v Mornington).
Next week, the men are at home to Peninsula Strikers (Esther Park, Saturday 1pm and 3pm) while the women travel to Baxter (Baxter Park, Baxter, Sunday 1pm). See you down the Kennel!
