By Peter Stephenson
Barkerettes (second) were back on home turf as a mild Esther Park saw the visit of Malvern (sixth). Barkers were on a high after trouncing Alphington 5-0, and had won their last 8 at home.
By the fourth minute, Barkers had already won three corners, to no avail, but there would be plenty more to come. Ten minutes later, Alizah Jones had possession near the right corner flag and was barged off the ball. She won it back and crossed for Amy D’Ortenzio, who volleyed against the bar. Then on 16 minutes, D’Ortenzio played a one-two with Emily Stokes, then laid off for Jones, whose shot struck keeper Shanaya Ghosh full in the face.
The game was tight, but Barkers had most of the ball. Just after the half hour, a corner on the right was headed goalwards, and Hannah Turnbull got to the ball almost on the goal line, but somehow Malvern cleared. On 36 minutes, a period of sustained Barkers pressure led to Jones having time to pick her spot, but she shot straight at Ghosh. Surely Malvern couldn’t hold out much longer?
Of course not. Seven minutes before the break, another Barkers attack saw them hustle Malvern into giving the ball away in their own penalty area, the ball fell to Stokes, and she hit a precise chip into the far corner of the net for the opening goal. Half-time: Barkers 1-0 Malvern, but goodness knows what Barkers’ corner count was.
Two minutes into the second half, a throw on the left found D’Ortenzio. She turned neatly and shot beyond the far post. Then Stokes flew down the right wing, played inside to D’Ortenzio, got the ball back and hit a wicked cross into the centre. A Barker forward stole in from nowhere and flicked the ball onto the bar when it looked easier to score, and the rebound was put over.
There was then a brief period where Malvern threatened to equalise, but Barkers weathered the brief interlude and asserted again. On 55 minutes, a cross from the right found Jones, who shot at the keeper, and Barkers continued to win countless corners, and looked as if they might run Malvern ragged. They needed some breathing space on the scoreboard, though, and it didn’t arrive until 16 minutes from time, from a most unexpected source.
Barkers attacked down the left and played the ball inside to Matilda Steele. She had plenty of space but was a long way from the goal. Her shot didn’t look as if it had the power to trouble Ghosh, but the keeper fumbled the ball against the post, and it rebounded off her into the net to give the baby of the team her first senior goal in only her fourth game – 2-0 Barkers.
It was now a case of how many Barkers would score – there was no question that Malvern would come back – Barkers were all over them like a rash. With nine minutes left, a ball in from the left was allowed to run all the way to an unmarked Stokes on the far side, and she needed no invitation to score her second and Barkers’ third. Full-time: Barkers 3-0 Malvern.
Barkers had so much possession and won so many corners that I (linesman at the other end) could have taken the night off. The score could easily have been doubled, and there were lots of good things to enjoy. It’s a team game and everyone played their part, but I just marvel at Jones. When she gets the ball, time stands still, she seems to have all the time in the world to do whatever she likes with it. There were no slackers tonight, though, and 3-0 flattered Malvern more than Barkers.
