The sun was out at Esther Park as Mooroolbark Soccer Club (fourth) hosted the Peninsula Strikers (second) in round 3 of State 2SE. There had been only two draws in 24 previous meetings between the clubs, and an average of over four goals a game, so entertainment was all but guaranteed. In team news, Daniel Aye was back from suspension and Ben Cooper was debuting. They replaced Sean Perrin and Ryan Smith in the starting XI.
After six minutes, Geordie Scott almost made a goal out of nothing as he flicked the ball just wide from a near post cross. Two minutes later, though, it was Strikers who drew first blood when a free kick was played across the box, and Cooper Andrews executed a bicycle kick into the net for the opener. Then Campbell Steedman sent Taylan Geylan down the left wing. His cross was mis-kicked by a defender, and Riley Anderton hit a snap shot wide.
Barkers were working hard but not penetrating, until Ray Markley won a ball on 21 minutes. He slipped it to Scott, who almost released B Cooper, but the debutant was offside. Four minutes later, Strikers made Barkers pay when a long clearance saw the Barkers defence leave the ball for one another, allowing Wayne Gordon to steal in and lob Mark Naumowicz to make it 2-0 Strikers. At this point, Strikers were well on top, but now Barkers gained the momentum.
Ross Clark hit a corner to find Brett Tronconi stooping to head over. Then Aye hit a long low shot to test Faraz Zenoozi in the Strikers goal. Aye then attacked at the edge of the box and threaded a low ball across to the unmarked Scott. The man with the striker’s instinct needed no invitation to tuck the ball home to halve the deficit to 2-1.
Both sides missed promising chances before the break. Strikers’ Steedman hit a first-time shot which Naumowicz clawed around the post, then Steve Nittoli, Scott and Markley set up Clark, who flashed a shot across goal from the right. Clark then fed Markley, who volleyed over at the far post. Half-time: Mooroolbark 1-2 Peninsula Strikers.
As the second half began, Strikers broke quickly and seemed certain to score again, but a Dan Higgins tackle saved the day. Clark and Aye were trying to unlock the away defence but were thwarted. The introduction of substitute John-Paul Cooper had an immediate impact, as he and Aye combined to set up Scott, who hit the bar from close range. This was to prove costly for Barkers.
Just after the hour, Geylan and Steedman worked down the right to cross for Andrews, who volleyed in at the far post for 3-1. J-P Cooper continued to try to create danger and get Barkers back in the game, but with eight minutes left, Andrews broke down the left and crossed low for Tom Wood, who made it 4-1 from close range. In stoppage time, a tired home defence lost the ball again and allowed Strikers to construct a nice attack, ending in Woods scoring again. Full-time: Mooroolbark 1-5 Peninsula Strikers.
This was an odd game. Barkers have the players to cause most sides trouble in this league, but they looked tired today against a side that was able to take its chances. Barkers drop to seventh and Strikers remain second. No time to dwell, though, as next is a visit to local rivals Knox City (tenth).
The men’s reserves lost 0-2 to Strikers, while men’s thirds lost 1-5 to South East United, and the over 35s lost 1-5 to Lilydale Montrose United.
Next week sees a full program of soccer for the first time this year as women and juniors kick off. On Friday, women’s seniors host Collingwood City (Esther Park, 8.30pm). On Saturday, men’s seniors and reserves visit Knox City (Egan Lee Reserve, Knoxfield, 1pm/3pm). On Sunday, the women’s second team makes its debut with a visit to Glen Eira (Lord Reserve, Carnegie, 3pm). See you down the Kennel!
