By Peter Stephenson
Barkerettes (first) travelled to Donvale Reserve to face Templestowe Wolves (seventh), one of two teams in this league foolish enough to think they can bully the Barkerettes (hint – you can’t).
In windy conditions and kicking downhill, Barkers took their time to play themselves into the game on a ground where, to my knowledge, no Barker has ever set foot. After five minutes though, the ball was played out by Eleanor Ridley to Gracie Touliatos on the right. She crossed for Amy D’Ortenzio, who touched on for the better-placed Charlotte McCullough to hit home her fourth in two games – 1-0 and Barkers were on their way.
From kick-off, Wolves tried a long punt from halfway which almost came off (think Pele against Czechoslovakia in the 1970 World Cup), but the ball went narrowly wide. Stung into action, Barkers replied swiftly. From the goal kick the ball found D’Ortenzio, who with an absolutely sublime first touch set up an attack which ended with Ridley making it 2-0 after only seven minutes. After the Albert Park game, this was looking eerily similar.
Templestowe though, can actually play football when they’re not complaining, and two minutes later, a forward was in on goal, but Ashleigh Fraraccio blocked, then dived at the forward’s feet to snuff out the rebound, collecting a free kick for her trouble.
As with Albert Park, Barkers were able to rip apart Wolves almost at will, and on 17 minutes a through ball for D’Ortenzio saw her outpace the defence and, one on one with keeper Isabella Mezzetti, had little trouble finding the net for 3-0. Three minutes later, McCullough mugged her opponent, got to the byline and cut back for D’Ortenzio to make it 4-0. Then came one of the neatest goals you could wish to see.
Yet again Ridley released Touliatos down the right. She’s so fast that she makes her own space and had time to deliver a perfect cross for McCullough. Who better than a forward who is in the zone at the moment to sweep the ball into the net for number five? Half-time: Wolves 0-5 Barkers, the scoreline flattering Wolves.
In the second half, Barkers were kicking uphill and into the wind. A frustrated Eleni Tsoumpris talked herself into the ref’s book along with two of her Wolves teammates, but Barkers had more trouble breaking down Wolves than in the first half.
Kelly Butera, playing with a protective face mask, was keen to get in on the scoring action. Sure enough, just seven minutes into the second half, Wolves made the fatal error of allowing our newly-discovered scoring sensation room to shoot – maybe they didn’t recognise her? Anyway, as she often does, she just casually lobbed the keeper from about 25 yards and it was 6-0.
A few minutes later Ridley set up D’Ortenzio, but the shot went over. Barkers had numerous chances to add to the score but Wolves somehow held out. Full time: Wolves 0-6 Barkers. Another three points and the Barkerettes stay at least two points clear of Collingwood with six games to play. Next, though, they host the only side to have beaten them in the league this season – a Friday night date at the Kennel with FC Melbourne Srbija awaits.
