By Peter Stephenson
Barkerettes (1st) visited a windy Jack Edwards to face Chisholm (5th). We welcomed back Emily Stokes, and despite Barkers scoring a hatful of goals in her absence, she was still 2nd in the Barkerettes’ Golden Boot race. As usual, a win was needed to stay ahead of Collingwood.
In the first 10 minutes, chances fell to Alizah Jones and Kelly Butera, but it wasn’t until 20 minutes that Barkers found a way past Evangelia Starakis in the home goal. Gracie Touliatos won the ball in midfield and played it out to the left. The ball was played back in for Amy D’Ortenzio, who turned, leaving her marker for dead, and ran on and scored her 238th goal in 239 games.
Barkers were comfortably on top, and 7 minutes before the break, a lovely move set up Jones, who cut in from the left and hit a crisp shot past the keeper for 2-0. It took 42 minutes for United to threaten. Touliatos conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, and Helena Apostoli floated the ball harmlessly beyond the far post.
Right on half time, a Butera corner from the right saw a glancing header from Alexis Sketchley, then the ball was played out to D’Ortenzio, who acrobatically volleyed over with her back to goal. Half-time: Chisholm 0-2 Barkers, a fair reflection of play.
Although Barkers were playing into the wind in the second half, they continued to dominate. Four minutes in, D’Ortenzio threaded the ball through for Jones, who timed her run perfectly to stay onside, but overran the ball. Then Jones audaciously nutmegged an opponent before cutting the ball back for Eleanor Ridley, who shot at the keeper.
Chisholm had a couple of long shots which, as usual, barely roused Ashleigh Fraraccio from her cuppa, then Stokes ran on to a through ball and shot wide. With 5 minutes left, Butera (who else?) hit a lob from miles out which almost deceived the keeper, who scrambled the ball out for a corner. Finally in stoppage time, Jones had half the field to herself as she ran to goal, but her shot was blocked by the keeper.
Full-time: Chisholm 0-2 Barkers. Another win, another clean sheet, and Barkers hold an astonishing goal difference of 58-8. Collingwood’s game was postponed, so Barkers, with 4 games to play, have a 5 point lead over the Pies, who have a game in hand.
