On Friday night, Barkers (fourth) paid their first visit to Parkfield Reserve for 19 years – at that time it was home to Heatherton United. Now, the in-form Barkers took on tenth-placed Noble Park United, with whom they played out a crazy 5-5 draw earlier in the season. Barkers kept the same side that won 3-0 at Bentleigh United Cobras last week.
Danny Aye had a couple of early chances, and on 10 minutes hit a low shot wide as Barkers began well. Nine minutes later, they spread the ball nicely across the park from right to left as Ray Markley, Tristan Walker and Aye linked up. Christian Porcaro took over on the left and crossed for Walker, who hit a shot that dipped just over.
Just before the half hour, Barkers were made to pay for those missed chances when United sliced through the away defence, allowing Sarmad Nikakhter to score from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Barkers conceded a free kick in a dangerous spot. Alexandar Vranesevic hit a brilliant strike over the wall and past a stunned Vladi Velikin to make it 2-0 United.
Barkers had a golden chance to cut the deficit just before half-time when Aye was in on goal, but the shot was struck straight at keeper Joaquin Fernandez. Half-time: Noble Park United 2-0 Mooroolbark, with best on ground so far being my cevapi roll, enough to turn a part-time veggie back to full-scale carnivore.
The second half was punctuated by free kicks and yellow cards (nine in all). Five minutes in, Marcus Watson was upended, but the ref waved play on. Then on 55 minutes, Aye drove a free kick from 25 yards into the United wall. Just after the hour, Velikin had to be quick off his line to thwart a United attack from the left wing.
With less than 20 minutes left, a long throw on the left from Sean Perrin saw Ryan Smith, who was commanding in the air, flick a header on, but past the far post. Then came United’s best chance of the half. The ball came in from the right to an unmarked forward, but Velikin did well to block. The final Barkers chance came six minutes from time when a long punt from Velikin was headed into the path of Watson, but he was off balance as he shot wide. Full time: Noble Park United 2-0 Mooroolbark.
Noble Park were the better side on the night and deserved the points. They have picked up some useful players in the transfer window and were better than their ladder position suggests. Barkers were flat compared to recent weeks, but still had chances early on to take hold of the game. Promotion now seems a distant dream with four games to go, but they won’t give up.
