It was a cold, cloudy day at Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground as Barkerettes (eighth) visited Aspendale (fourth) in round eight of Women’s State 2 South-East. Amy D’Ortenzio, Laelah Gundry and Alexis Sketchley were added to the squad which gave Barkerettes their first league win of the season, 1-0 over Malvern.
Barkers were caught cold early on as the Stingrays played the ball across the park from left to right, finding Emma Herbold in space. She tried a speculative high lob, which sailed over Ashley Barrueto into the corner of the net to give the hosts an early lead. Nine minutes later, Aspendale’s Jemma De Vos hit a low shot which Barrueto saved comfortably.
Barkers went to sleep again on 21 minutes when Emily Murphy was clean through, but Barrueto got to the ball first. Barkers then went straight back up the park and Alizah Jones had a shout saved. The rebound fell to Eleanor Ridley, who put the ball well wide.
Alas, Barkers were then stung by the ‘Rays once more. A corner from the right from Sage Kirby was volleyed home at the far post by Amelie Harper to make it 2-0 Aspendale.
Just after the half hour, Barkers won a free kick in their attacking half on the left. Hannah Turnbull played the ball to Ridley, who somehow found Jones in space. She beat a defender, putting herself clear, and chipped the ball beautifully over keeper Lauren Mills to halve the deficit. Half-time: Aspendale 2-1 Mooroolbark. Stingrays began well, but then Barkers played themselves back into the game, and started to cause panic in an uncertain-looking home defence.
The half-time break seemed to disrupt Barkers’ rhythm, and they came out for the second half with little of the confidence they showed at the end of the first half. The best they could muster early on was a long-range effort from Gundry that was comfortable for Mills in the home goal.
It was Aspendale who next drew blood just after the hour. In a virtual repeat of their second goal, Jacinda Anastasopoulos hit a corner from the right. Barkers were slow to react and it was again Harper who got to the ball first, this time playing the ball with her torso from about eight yards out, and the ball trundled into the net for 3-1, a very messy goal to concede.
Three minutes later, D’Ortenzio played a lovely ball through to release Emily Stokes, but she was flagged offside.
Barkers were now creating most of the opportunities, so it was a surprise that Aspendale grabbed another goal. The ball ran loose in Barkers’ half, and Murphy found herself in space about 30 yards out. She let fly and hit the ball high over Barrueto and into the net for 4-1.
Barkers continued to chase, and with 11 minutes left, Charlotte Martin hit a lovely corner from the right which was volleyed wide. Then Barkers stole the ball from the Stingrays’ defence, Jones was released, and she belted the ball into the roof of the net for her second and 4-2 Aspendale. Just before the end, Martin floated a free kick over the bar and that was that. Full-time: Aspendale 4-2 Mooroolbark.
Barkers will be cursing their errors at the back today, which cost them the points. Barkers have the players to get the better of most sides in this league, because at this higher level, if you switch off, teams will make you pay.
