By Peter Stephenson
It was unseasonably warm as Barkers (first) travelled to Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett Reserve. Awaiting them was FC Melbourne Srbija (fourth), who had taken points off Monash City, so we knew it wouldn’t be easy.
Barkers’ first sight of goal came on 12 minutes with a shot from Amy D’Ortenzio fired at keeper Thivini Welihinda. A minute later, Anita Caro Salve tried her luck from distance, but Welihinda wasn’t troubled. Then the Barkers 7-Eleven one-two as D’Ortenzio and Emily Stokes combined, but D’Ortenzio’s shot was again at the keeper.
All this was to no avail as just before the half hour, a FCMS through ball split the Barkers defence, and a low shot finally went past keeper Ashleigh Fraraccio for her first goal conceded for over four and a half hours. Ten minutes later it got worse, as FCMS made it 2-0 with a low angled shot at the near post following a break down the right. Half-time: FCMS 2-0 Barkers, when it could easily have been the other way round.
Just before the hour, a long ball from Miranda Jackson found Stokes, but her shot was saved. As time was running out, Barkers had some luck. As Barkers attacked, the ball struck a defender’s hand and the referee pointed to the spot. Caro Salve stuck the ball calmly into the net to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Three minutes later, Alizah Jones slipped the ball inside for D’Ortenzio, but she shot wide, and that was as good as it got. Full-time: FC Melbourne Srbija 2-1 Mooroolbark.
Barkers were disappointing today. They looked hesitant at times, and in the second half found FCMS hard to break down as they packed the defence. Barkers definitely have the players to trouble any team in this league, so we’ll put this one down to experience.
