By Peter Stephenson
Barkers (ninth) hosted Berwick (sixth) at a sunny Esther Park, looking for their first win in seven games and to stave off the threat of relegation. Barkers made four changes to the side that lost 0-1 at Doncaster, with Anthony Di Crea, Liam Seaye, Ryan Smith and Jerome Valadon replaced by Ahren Angulo, Ross Clarke, Ray Markley and Christian Porcaro.
Things got off to a bad start when after six minutes a Barker defender turned the ball into his own net – 1-0 Berwick. Barkers replied with a speculative long shot from Daniel Aye going over. Then a corner whipped in from the left saw Angulo’s header skim off the bar. Next Markley hit a long shot high and wide.
On 19 minutes a Berwick free kick on the right was played across for Jalil Nabizadah, whose shot was well held by Mark Naumowicz. Two minutes later Barkers almost levelled when a good move down the left saw the ball played to the far post, where Maxim Solovyev headed over from close range. C.Porcaro then hit a long shot wide, but Barkers weren’t really testing Colby Jones in the City goal.
After Naumowicz dived bravely to save from Nabizadah, Barkers ended the half well. Markley and Steve Nittoli had shots blocked before a mazy run from Aye saw him unleash a low shot just wide. Half-time: Barkers 0-1 Berwick, with Barkers failure to take chances being the difference.
Eight minutes into the second half a corner from the left saw Angulo miscue a header at the far post. Then Markley and Aaron Porcaro combined for the latter to have a shot blocked. This was a good period for Barkers, and on the hour Potter had a close range shot blocked, then after three fruitless corners, A.Porcaro robbed the City left back and fed Nittoli, who was off balance when shooting over.
Barkers finally hit the target on 61 minutes when a cross from the right to the far post saw Solovyev head home, but he was offside. Then he wriggled through the defence before hitting a shot into the side netting.
Barkers failure to capitalise cost them dearly on 67 minutes when a long goal kick was flicked on to Nabizadah, who ran on to the ball and tucked the ball inside the post for 2-0 Berwick. Frustratingly this was against the run of play.
The late introduction of Sean Perrin brought some consolation. Angulo spread the ball out to the left for Di Crea, who hit a lovely ball in for Perrin to sweep the ball home for 2-1 and Barkers’ first goal for six and a half hours. Full-time Barkers 1-2 Berwick – Barkers need two points from two games to be safe.
