By Peter Stephenson
The Barkerettes’ league season began in bright sunshine at Dallas Brooks Park in Mornington. They had been rezoned from State 3 East to South, bringing some longer trips and a host of new opponents. This, however, was not one of them, as the sides had met eight times before, but this was their first meeting since 2011.
Mornington looked dangerous from the off, as in the first minute, Sarah Travis slipped the ball to Mikaeli Wharton, overlapping on the right wing. She was in a dangerous position, but was also, thankfully, offside. Then in the fourth minute, Barkers’ injury curse struck once more. Defender Anjali Lobo collided with an opponent in a robust challenge for the ball. The home player went off with an injured ankle, but the Barkers defender fell awkwardly and was stretchered off with a broken wrist. On came Barkers’ only substitute Sam Spencer, herself carrying an injury. With 86 minutes left and no bench to call upon, this would be a challenge.
Barkers, however, dusted themselves off and played good football. On 14 minutes, Lisa Walsh and Gracie Touliatos combined to set up Courtney Wipperfurth on the right, whose shot was saved by keeper Ruby Stewardson. Five minutes later, a Mornington snap shot went just over the bar, then another shot was held by keeper Ashleigh Fraraccio at her near post. On 21 minutes, the ball rebounded off Clausen into the path of Walsh, who chipped the keeper to score. However, the flag was up for offside.
Anyway, Barkers, who at this point had more crutches than substitutes, were looking the better side. The defence was fairly sound, so that when Touliatos lost the ball in defence, sweeper Alexis Sketchley was on hand to hustle the attacker and put her off her shot. Ten minutes before the break came the inevitable goal, when Walsh put a nice ball through for Spencer, who provided a calm low shot to give Barkers a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later came a series of three Barkers corners on the right, delivered by Walsh. Each time they were sent right at the keeper, causing panic in the defence. On the third occasion, the ball reached the far post and debutant Selina Barrueto poked the ball into the net. However, it later emerged that the ball had crossed the line before being kicked out by a defender to Barrueto. Either way, Barkers went in at half-time 2-0 up.
Within 4 minutes of the restart, Walsh was at it again. Her corner to the near post was kicked into the net by a defender for 3-0, and Walsh had 2 goals from corners for the day and 3 for the season. Four minutes later she turned provider, finding Wipperfurth on the right, who hit a dipping shot over the keeper for 4-0. Then it was Spencer’s turn to set up Wipperfurth, whose shot was well held by Stewardson.
On 67 minutes, Barkers had a throw-in in their own half. They lost the ball, and a cross from the right eluded the defence, before Mornington’s Kailyn O’Connor prodded the ball in from close range to make it 4-1.
Four minutes later, a Walsh corner was somehow headed over by Barkers’ Alifya Loka from almost under the crossbar. Then a scare for Barkers as Mornington’s Josie Guarino curled a free-kick over the wall and just wide. Barkers replied with Barrueto finding Wipperfurth in space, who crossed for Walsh to hit a first-time shot wide.
The last six minutes saw three beautiful carbon-copy moves from Barkers. Each time, Walsh gave a pinpoint ball to Wipperfurth on the right for her to run onto and shoot. The first was blocked by the keeper, the second was blasted over, and the third was turned round for a corner. Full-time: Mornington 1-4 Mooroolbark.
This was a brave and skilful performance from a side ravaged by injuries. If spirit counts for anything, they’ll do well this year. Next is a Sunday night date at home to Gippsland United, kick-off 7.30 at Esther Park.
