By Peter Stephenson
A warm, cloudy Saturday afternoon at the Esther Park heralded a new league season, and a new opponent.
Hampton East Brighton arrived at Mooroolbark for their first State 2SE fixture, having been promoted as champions of State 3SE in 2022,
In the sixth minute, Eddie Clark sent a lovely ball down the left wing to Marcus Watson, whose cross was weighted perfectly for Geordie Scott to pounce and shoot home – 1-0 and Barkers were on their way.
Or were they? The much touted HEB and their prolific scorers hit back seven minutes later when a break found Chisanga Nshindano, who shot home for the equaliser at 1-1. Six minutes later it almost got worse for Barkers as they gave away a penalty for a foul in the box, but Nshindano hit the spot kick over the bar to spare Barkers’ blushes.
This was a pacy, quality game and on 23 minutes, a long clearance from keeper Mark Naumowicz found Watson. He found Scott, who headed wide. Barkers attacked again, and Paul McEvoy had a shot blocked and sent out for a corner on the left. The ball was hit to the far post, and cleared, but only as far as Steve Nittoli, who had a shot blocked. The ball ran to Watson, who cut in and hit a shot into the side netting.
Now a quick history lesson. Many many years ago, back in the mists of time, a young gun named Brett Tronconi debuted for the Barkers. The waywardness of youth led him to the dark side, and he trod a well-worn path of other local clubs, before realising which side of his ciabatta was buttered and returning to his spiritual home. Incredibly, 22 years after his senior debut, he still commands a first team place. Why? Read on.
On 37 minutes, HEB broke quickly down the right. The ball was crossed deep into the box, but there was Tronconi with two blocks in quick succession to save the day. In reply, Watson raided down the right and his through ball almost put Liam Seaye in on goal. Then four minutes before the break, a Seaye free kick on the right went to the far post, was headed back across the box, and Scott headed towards goal, but keeper Bernard Paris somehow got a hand to the ball to keep it out – in any case Scott was ruled offside.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Barkers won a corner on the left. The ball was struck to the far post where Tronconi leapt like a salmon to guide the ball home and restore Barkers’ lead.
Half-time: Mooroolbark 2-1 Hampton East Brighton.
HEB came out for the second half with purpose. Three minutes in, Kenneth Trac ran down the right wing and crossed for Nshindano, who turned and hit a shot into the side netting. Then a HEB free kick was punched clear by Naumowicz under pressure, and was headed back just over the bar.
Barkers now had another good period. On 54 minutes, Watson passed to Scott, who found Sam Klepac, who passed back to Watson. The shot went over amid Barkers’ appeals for handball. Then on the hour, a long throw from Sean Perrin found Watson, but he couldn’t catch the ball right and the chance was gone. Three minutes later, Perrin went on a run and won a corner, from which Dan Higgins headed over with defenders all around him.
Barkers now settled into a period of containment, but you always felt another goal was needed to settle the nerves, as HEB had enough dangerous players to cause damage. Six minutes from time, McEvoy intercepted the ball in the attacking half and hit a long shot straight at Paris. Then three minutes later, HEB had a corner on the right, which produced a remarkable point blank save from Naumowicz to save the day.
Stoppage time now loomed, but how much? On 93 minutes HEB headed over from a corner. Then, having poured men forward, they left huge holes at the back. Not a good idea when Klepac and Maxim Solovyev had fresh legs. Solovyev, to Klepac, back to Solovyev with the defence overstretched – Solovyev buried the ball in the net to settle the game.
Full time: Mooroolbark 3-1 Hampton East Brighton.
This was an entertaining match, with both sides showing enough promise to suggest they’ll be among the division’s better sides.
Barkers keep their remarkable home league record going – unbeaten since May 2021.
In the early game, Barkers’ reserves conceded two goals after half time. Debutant Julian Malander pulled one back with a low angled shot in the 77th minute, but it wasn’t enough as HEB ran out winners by 2-1.
Next is a trip to Peninsula Strikers next Saturday, kick-offs at 1pm (reserves) and 3pm (seniors)
