By Peter Stephenson
Barkerettes (3rd) made the long trip to Warragul’s Baxter Park, to face league leaders Gippsland United. There was just a point between the two sides, so this game was crucial.
With less than 30 seconds gone, Barkers almost opened the scoring as they sliced through the United defence, but Amy D’Ortenzio’s shot was straight at the keeper. After that, United had most of the territory, with Barkers struggling to leave their own half. There was a big scare on 6 minutes when an attacker was left free with only keeper Ashleigh Fraraccio to beat, but she saved with her legs.
The pressure told 5 minutes later when a long shot from United’s Tiana Reddiex soared into the net. As in the previous game, Barkers’ leading scorer equalised within a minute. D’Ortenzio squared to Lisa Walsh, who had plenty to do to beat a defender, but she did so with aplomb and tucked the ball into the net for 1-1. Later in the half, Fraraccio made another crucial save, and United hit the bar with another attempt, but it remained 1-1 at the interval.
In the second half, Barkers had the wind at their backs, but could they capitalise? No. Ten minutes in, United’s Lexi Prichard hit a low shot from outside the box, which took a deflection before going into the net to make it 2-1. Three minutes later, United again broke through the Barkers defence, and with a player over, Emma Thornton could hardly mis from close range to make it 3-1 and give Barkers a mountain to climb.
Barkers rallied, but as the game wore on, Kelly Butera was kicked by an opponent and her protestations earned her a yellow. Unfortunately she continued to talk to the referee and got another one straight away, and Barkers were down to 10 players. All looked lost.
Enter superhero Jordyn Clausen. As a defender, a return of a goal every 10 games is quite good, but she must have had a rush of blood to the head, as with only two minutes left, she lobbed the keeper from miles out to make it 2-3. Within a minute, amazingly, she did it again and the Barkers went wild – surely Barkers had saved a point!
No – United went straight upfield, Barkers switched off and Shanasai Iorangi restored United’s lead with the last kick of the game. Full-time: Gippsland United 4-3 Mooroolbark.
This loss puts a dent in Barkers’ promotion chances, as they lie 3rd, four points behind both Gippsland and Endeavour with seven games to play. Next is a trip to Mentone.
