By Peter Stephenson
It was a mild day as Barkers (5th) hosted Mazenod (2nd) in round 18 of State 2SE . Barkers had never beaten Nodders and previous encounters were low-scoring, but Barkers had won their last two so were hopeful of a good showing.
On six minutes, Maxim Solovyev beat opponent Kristian Sekulovski on the right, but his cross was headed away. Shortly afterwards, Mazenod won a corner on the right. It was sent into the six-yard box, where Stuart Edgar had a free header close in and scored for the opener in a disappointing start for Barkers.
Three minutes later, Solovyev was through on goal, but his shot was blocked by keeper James Edgar. Then on 18 minutes the visitors had a corner on the left. This time it was sent out to the edge of the box to Jack Palazzolo. He floated the ball to the near post, where again S.Edgar rose unchallenged to score his and Mazenod’s second.
Barkers, though, gave as good as they got. On 26 minutes, Sean Perrin floated a free-kick from the left into the near post, where Dan Higgins put a glancing header narrowly wide. Four minutes later, Perrin was again the creator. He swung a corner from the left towards the penalty spot. Brett Tronconi headed low and downwards towards the near post. As the ball bounced up, Solovyev got to it first and flicked a header into the net to make it 2-1 Mazenod.
On 35 minutes, controversy erupted. What we think happened was this: Mazenod played the ball forward, but S.Edgar was offside, and as the ball came through was clearly both impeding an opponent (keeper Mark Naumowicz) and interfering with the ball (he scored).
The flag goes up as the AR knows Edgar is offside. However, the ball took a slight touch off a Barker defender, and we think this is why the referee consulted his AR before making a decision. The decision was a goal, meaning the referee was perhaps the only person in the ground who thought the defender’s touch was deliberate – 3-1 to Mazenod. To clarify, an incidental touch by the defender does not render the forward onside and the goal should have been ruled out.
Two minutes into stoppage time, S.Edgar crossed from the right and Jamie Mammino strolled into the box to make it 4-1 to Mazenod at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, the ball was played across the top of the box to S.Edgar, who dug the ball out and curled the ball beyond Naumowicz for his 4th of the day to make it 5-1 for Mazenod.
With 20 minutes to go the tide turned a little. First Barkers won a penalty for a push. Scott put the ball away to make it 2-5.
Then with 10 minutes to go, Sam Klepac laid the ball back from the byline for Scott, who put a shot past the post. With three minutes left, S.Edgar got a second yellow card, so ended up with four goals and an early bath. Then in stoppage time, Mammino was red-carded for a double retaliation, but it was too little too late for Barkers. Full-time: Mooroolbark 2-5 Mazenod.
With five games to go, Barkers stay fifth. Promotion is now beyond them barring a miracle. They are six points above the drop zone but a kind run-in should see them finish safely in mid-table.
In the reserves’ game, a goal from James Barber gave Barkers their first win in 11 games. The Barkerettes won by default as Beaumaris forfeited. With five games to go, the top three reads Gippsland 34 points, Endeavour 32, Mooroolbark 30. Only the champions will be promoted, with the runners-up having to play-off, so nothing is yet decided.
Men’s Thirds won 3-0 against Croydon Ranges, and Men’s Over 35s lost 0-12 at Mount Martha. Junior winners were Boys’ under 14 (11-0 v Glen Waverley) and Girls’ under 17/18 (4-1 v Aspendale).
Next week, the men are at home to North Caulfield (Esther Park, Saturday 6.30pm/8.30pm and the women visit Aspendale (Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground, Sunday 3pm). See you down the Kennel!
