By Peter Stephenson
Another home game for Barkerettes (third) saw them host Albert Park (10th) for the first time in 11 years, in round 2 of Women’s State 3 East.
The sides had contrasting fortunes in round 1, with Barkers downing Collingwood 3-2, but Parkers losing 1-6 to Monash.
In team news, Amy D’Ortenzio and Kaity Farrance (playing her first game for over a year) replaced Miranda Jackson and Eleanor Ridley, while Matilda Steele was set to debut off the bench.
Barkers wasted no time asserting themselves. The ball was played out to Hannah Turnbull on the left. She played the ball inside, it was passed to Alizah Jones, who put an incisive ball through for Emily Stokes, who hit the ball first-time into the bottom corner for the opening goal – 1-0 Barkers after only 33 seconds.
On eight minutes, keeper Ashleigh Fraraccio cleared the ball to midfield, from where a teammate helped it on for D’Ortenzio to chase. She took the ball to within shooting range before lifting it over a static Paula Lizardo in goal, to make it 2-0. The visitors almost replied immediately, but Fraraccio saved low from a close-range shot. On the half hour, a bullet of a pass had the sting taken out of it by a Parkers’ defender, before Kelly Butera had a shot saved. Little did we know what she was warming up for.
Before the break, Stokes had hit the post twice in a dominant half for Barkers, who could have doubled their score by now. Half-time: Mooroolbark 2-0 Albert Park.
The second half saw Barkers’ superiority reflected in the scoreline as the goals rained in. First, a D’Ortenzio shot hit the inside of the post and rolled along the line but not in. Five minutes in, Anita Caro Salve beat one player on the right and crossed for D’Ortenzio. She laid the ball back for Butera, who chipped a beauty into the top corner for 3-0.
Seven minutes later, Parkers had a defensive throw-in on the right. Butera seized on the ball and hit a lofted shot from an acute angle for 4-0 – she was just chipping them into the net as casually as a top-class golfer and Lizardo could only watch and admire.
As the game moved into its final 20 minutes Barkers had a throw in their own half. It was played down the left wing, and a defender played it into the path of Stokes. She cut in and slotted the ball past the onrushing Lizardo for 5-0.
Three minutes later, Parkers just stood back and watched as Butera had all the time in the world to pick her spot. After a patient Barkers build-up, bang, another 25-yarder and it was 6-0. Within 45 seconds, Butera had robbed the defence as they dithered and hit a slow shot into the bottom corner for 7-0 and Butera’s fourth.
The last five minutes saw D’Ortenzio add to her monumental career tally. First a cross from the left found her unmarked and she simply passed the ball into the net for number eight. Then another ball in from the left, she shot, the keeper blocked, and the defence was so tardy that D’Ortenzio got up off the ground for another go and this time made no mistake to complete her hat-trick. Full-time: Mooroolbark 9-0 Albert Park.
What can you say? You can only beat what’s put in front of you and Barkers were clinical. Barkerettes are now second behind only Monash City Villarreal on goal difference.
