By Peter Stephenson
A mild day at Esther Park saw the Mooroolbark Soccer Club’s seniors host Skye United in round 2 of State 2SE. The visitors had never beaten Barkers in seven attempts, and Barkers were without a win in their last five, so something had to give. Daniel Aye and Ben Cooper were still suspended, but Geordie Scott was back, along with Ryan Smith, who replaced Dan Burrows and John-Paul Cooper in the starting lineup. On the bench for Skye was former Barker Arash Sadeghi.
On 13 minutes, Skye’s Marcus Collier crossed from the right for Alex Roberts, who slipped the ball to Mark O’Connor, but his shot was well held by Barkers keeper Mark Naumowicz. Three minutes later, Barkers’ Ross Clark sent the ball down the left for Sean Perrin, who fought off his challengers well before crossing for Ray Markley, who nearly forced a defensive error from Skye. The visitors replied dangerously when Ben Lund hit the ball in from the right for Nhan Than, who hit a half-volley just over.
Skye were looking dangerous, but on 19 minutes Clark cut in from the left and shot over from 20 yards. Then Perrin hit a corner from the left which had Skye keeper Steven Hadjikakou scrambling as it struck the near post. Next a nice move from Barkers saw Steve Nittoli spray the ball out to Markley on the left, who crossed for Clark, but his first-time shot was saved.
Just after the half hour, Skye almost had Barkers in trouble when a long ball was hit out to Than on the left wing. His cross was destined for an unmarked forward, but the hosts were rescued by Ahren Angulo’s saving header. Then a very nice Skye move saw Roberts hit a curling shot just over. Than was causing plenty of problems for Barkers as he hit a volley that was almost deflected in, then turned and shot towards goal, but a defender blocked and Naumowicz was able to gather.
Just as Barkers seemed to be holding out until the break, Skye won a corner on the right. It was delivered to the centre and Collier rose unmarked to head home to give Skye the lead. Half-time: Mooroolbark 0-1 Skye United. A fairly even half, with Skye perhaps just shading it as both sides were living dangerously.
As the second half began, Barkers took a physical battle to Skye and unsettled the visitors. A Perrin corner from the right was flapped at by Hadjikakou, but he was adjudged to have been fouled. Skye’s George Jeffs then floated a free kick to the far post, and a forward headed for goal, but Naumowicz dived low to hold. Barkers’ luck now began to change, as Markley laid a robust challenge on Hadjikakou and was lucky to receive only a yellow.
Just before the hour, Barkers made this good fortune count. A corner from the left was met by the salmon-like leap of Brett Tronconi, who headed home for 1-1. It’s likely that he thus broke his own record for oldest scorer but that would take some checking. You might expect Skye to be rattled by this but Alex Van Heerwaarden hit a curler to test Naumowicz, then Mahdi Khanmohammadi had a tricky shot cleared off the line by Christian Porcaro.
Barkers were pressing hard to take the lead but Nick Andrejic, Markley and Smith all had promising moves snuffed out by a resolute defence. Having survived this siege, Skye threatened when Lund hit the ball to the far post, where Than put a glancing header wide. The last 10 minutes now saw Barkers throw the kitchen sink at Skye – and it worked.
With seven minutes left, Porcaro hit a long ball down the left for Maxim Solovyev, but his cross was cut out. Then Clark whipped a corner in which Hadjikakou punched off his line. The third corner in a row was decisive, as a sea of bodies converged in the penalty box, the referee had seen a foul on Solovyev – penalty! Up stepped Scott, whose low shot sent the keeper the wrong way to complete the comeback. Six minutes of stoppage time were endured before the points were secured. Full-time: Mooroolbark 2-1 Skye United.
This was a physical game but played in good spirit. Barkers took their time to assert themselves, but once again Skye succumbed. Smith and Clark were impressive, but there were plenty of good performances, and Barkers will feel confident going into next week with those suspended players available.
The reserves kept their 100 per cent record with a 4-1 win, through goals from Sam Gommers. Aaron Porcaro, Zac Teese and Declan Williamson. The men’s thirds won 1-0 v Somerville Eagles, and the men’s over 35s lost 1-6 to Skye United.
Next Saturday Barkers are again at home, this time to Peninsula Strikers. Kick-offs are 1pm (reserves) and 3pm (seniors) at Esther Park. See you down the Kennel!
