By Peter Stephenson
Knoxfield’s Egan Lee Reserve was the venue on Saturday as Barkers (7th) visited Knox City (10th) in round 4 of State 2 South-East. John-Paul Cooper, Christian Porcaro and Ryan Smith replaced Nick Andrejic, Ahren Angulo and Sean Perrin from the side that lost 1-5 at home to Peninsula Strikers.
Barkers were quick out of the blocks, Ross Clark and Daniel Aye set up Geordie Scott to hit a neat opening goal, to keep up his record of scoring in every game he’s played this year. Knox hit straight back as they cut through Barkers too easily, allowing an unmarked Anton Nardella to equalise – 1-1 with less than 5 minutes on the clock.
This unsettled Barkers a little, and a Clark tackle on Peter Koskos won Knox a soft free-kick at the edge of the penalty area. Koskos took it himself and hit a low shot which Mark Naumowicz held. The hosts kept Naumowicz busy when a Nardella shot was blocked with his chest, then Knox were clear again, but Smith laid a great tackle to clear. On 25 minutes, a long Knox ball was chased by Koskos, but Naumowicz was out quickly to clear.
Having survived Knox’s best efforts, Barkers gained the upper hand. Ben Cooper sprayed the ball to Clark, who eventually beat his marker and squared for Scott, who was closed down by a defender. Then Scott dribbled the ball across to Aye, who cut in and had a shot blocked by Knox keeper Matthew Krstina. The ensuing corner from the left was played out to Clark, who drilled a peach of a shot into the bottom corner to restore Barkers’ lead at 2-1.
Barkers now dominated until the break. Aye went on a mazy run beating at least 3 men. His shot was cleared to Steve Nittoli, whose shot ballooned into the stratosphere. Knox replied with a cross from the right to the far post, where a forward’s shot curled wide. Just before the break, Clark, Aye and J-P.Cooper combined to set up Scott, whose far post shot was blocked. Half-time: Knox City 1-2 Mooroolbark.
Four minutes into the second half, a Knox throw on the left was worked across to Nardella. He had time to line his shot up, but it went over. Knox had more possession for a while, but then Barkers broke when B.Cooper calmly booted the ball upfield to Aye. He fed Scott, who in turn put the ball through for Clark. Clark went down in the box, and after the assistant’s intervention, Barkers had a penalty.
Scott took the kick, but Krstina saved well. The ball rebounded to the onrushing Scott, who comfortably hit the ball home for 3-1.
Barkers then had to soak up more Knox attacks, before Aye and J-P.Cooper built a lovely passing move, though no shot ensued. Next, Clark rifled in a cross from the right. Scott controlled the ball well and laid back for Aye, who hit a low shot just wide. On 70 minutes, Aye brought the ball out of defence to J-P.Cooper. He hit an absolutely gorgeous first-time ball into the path of Scott, who just lost out in a foot race with a defender.
By now, Brett Tronconi had got his calculator out and realised Scott’s 31 career goals had eclipsed his own 30. Something had to be done. J-P.Cooper hit a corner from the right, and you know the rest. Tronconi – leaps like a salmon – goal – 4-1. Knox tried in vain to get back into the game, but time ran out after Mateusz Kurzeja hit a long shot over the bar. Full-time: Knox City 1-4 Mooroolbark.
Although they took an early lead, Barkers’ start was a bit shaky. Once they built confidence, the result wasn’t really in doubt. Smith had a very assured game at the back, probably the best of a number of good displays on the day.
The reserves ground out a 0-0 draw, while men’s thirds and over 35s lost. Junior winners on the first day were boys under 14B (3-0 v Malvern), boys U14D (7-4 v East Kew), boys U13B (3-0 v Manningham), boys U12B (14-0 v Doncaster), girls U14 (13-4 v Darebin) and girls U13 (5-3 v Manningham).
Next week, the men visit Greater Dandenong (WJ Turner Reserve, Noble Park North, Saturday 1pm and 3pm) and the women host Albert Park (esther Park, Friday 8.30pm). See you down the Kennel!
