By Peter Stephenson
A sweltering Saturday afternoon at Jack Thomas Reserve saw Barkers (fourth) visit old rivals Berwick (second) with only goal difference separating the sides, after 3 rounds in Men’s State 2SE.
Barkers made three changes to the side which lost 0-2 at Knox City, with Anthony Di Crea, Sean Perrin and Harry Rushton making way for Ben Cooper, Chris Potter and Christian Sapardanis.
The game was slow to find a rhythm in the heat, then on six minutes, Barkers committed a foul in their penalty area – penalty to Berwick.
Keeper Vladi Velikin dived left, but Rohan Gani’s kick went beyond him, going in off the post to give Berwick an early lead.
Berwick then penned Barkers in their own half as the visitors gave the ball away too readily.
On 12 minutes Berwick had a half chance when Gani shot straight at Velikin.
Barkers finally threatened on 21 minutes when Tristan Walker fed James Barber on the right, but his cross to the far post was cleared.
This was a rare Barkers threat, and the hosts almost doubled their lead five minutes later when a throw-in from the right was pumped towards goal, causing Velikin to acrobatically punch the ball over.
Six minutes before the break, Berwick’s Lucas Silva got to the right byline and crossed to Joshua Scarlett, whose first-time shot blazed over.
Now, completely against the run of play, Barkers made Berwick pay for their wayward shooting.
Christian Porcaro was released on the left wing, and he crossed beautifully for Walker to turn the ball into the net for the equaliser.
Half-time 1-1, with Berwick having much more of the territory, but Barkers capitalising on their only chance.
Two minutes into the second half, Berwick’s Emre Ozyurek found Luca Maio on the right.
He cut inside, but Cooper tackled well to snuff out the danger.
Now, as the weather cooled a little, Barkers sped the game up and started to run the legs off Berwick.
First it was Ryan Smith who played the ball out to Marcus Watson on the right.
He played a one-two with Walker but overhit his cross.
Then on 55 minutes, Barkers won a free-kick 25 yards out, but Cooper’s angled kick only warmed the hands of keeper Colby Jones.
Barkers were now passing the ball around nicely and on the hour, Smith intercepted in midfield and almost put Watson through on the right.
Then Potter weaved his magic wand to play a superb ball to Watson.
He was forced out wide on the left but still got his shot on goal, with Jones scrambling to fist away.
On 64 minutes, a Ross Clark free-kick on the right was played to the far post, where Potter headed back across goal before the ball was cleared.
Then Clark released Walker, but the angle for the shot was too tight to trouble Jones.
Barkers were now defending well when they had to, but most of the time were pressuring a tired Berwick defence.
Di Crea had a goalbound shot blocked, and a quick turn and shot from Watson saw the ball deflected wide.
The best chance for a winner though, came from a beautiful free-kick floated in by Barber.
Smith stole behind the defence and headed just over.
There was just time for Berwick’s Christian Lettieri to test Velikin at the other end before full-time arrived – final score 1-1.
Barkers were fortunate to go in level at half-time, but really should have taken the points in a strong second half against an opponent on the ropes.
Still, a point at Berwick is never to be sniffed at, and Barkers may well pose a more credible threat when the squad is fully fit.
The reserves won 3-2 in an entertaining game, despite the heat, with the goals coming from Mario Rivera, Michael Pezzano and Nathaniel Turner.
Next week, the men have the week off, while the women continue their Nike FC Cup quest with a fourth round tie at home to Victorian Premier League side Avondale, who will likely feature an ex-Barker (Monique Nogueira) and an ex-Matilda (Elise Kellond-Knight). Kick-off is 7.30pm on Thursday night at Esther Park.
See you down the Kennel!
