A dull Saturday at the Kennel saw Barkers (fifth) host Skye United (fourth). Barkers made two enforced changes to the side that lost 0-2 at Noble Park. James Barber and Chris Potter (suspended) were replaced by Ben Cooper and John-Paul Cooper. Barkers had never lost to Skye in 10 meetings.
Barkers had an early sight of goal in the second minute when a low ball from the right to Marcus Watson saw him hit a first-time shot wide. Six minutes later, a sustained Barkers’ attack saw J-P Cooper’s corner cleared out to Danny Aye, his cross from the left was also cleared, then Ray Markley drove the ball low towards goal, but Skye keeper Steven Hadjikakou blocked.
Barkers were looking sharp going forward, but were struggling to unlock the Skye defence. On 26 minutes, Ross Clark got to the byline and cut the ball back for J-P.Cooper. He beat off his marker and hit a low shot narrowly wide. Then Barkers got careless, and a Skye cross from the left found Daniel Attard at the far post, but he screwed his shot wide.
On the half hour, some neat play from Barkers saw the ball eventually break for Tristan Walker, who hit a crafty chip which forced Hadjikakou to touch the ball wide. Then controversy! B.Cooper won the ball on the right wing and crossed. The ball deflected off a defender’s boot onto his hand and looked like a clear penalty, but the referee waved play on.
Half-time 0-0, with Barkers looking the more dangerous side going forward, but Skye’s defence holding out.
As the second half began, Barkers suddenly broke through. A scramble in the Skye box saw the ball drop kindly for Aye, who scored from close range to make it 1-0 Barkers. Then Watson had a good chance to double the lead, but put his shot over. Barkers would very quickly regret this moment.
Five minutes later, Skye sent the ball down the right wing. A beauty of a cross came in, and Attard came flying in with a header for a spectacular equaliser – 1-1.
Barkers came straight back at Skye as Watson hit a low snapshot, which was beaten away by Hadjikakou, and Aye hit the rebound high and wide. Then Watson somehow kept his balance to find Clark in space. He had only the keeper to beat, but put the ball wide. The tide now turned, as Barkers seemed to forget the style they had used to dominate so far.
With 20 minutes to go, Skye’s Alexandro Boisseranc laid back to Ben Lund, who volleyed over. Then the inevitable. Van Heerwaarden passed to Boisseranc, got the ball back and flicked it over Velikin to put Skye in front at 2-1.
Things didn’t get any better for Barkers when Skye brought on Varmah Mgoneh on the left wing. He proved too hot for Barkers to handle and struck a shot against the bar. Then Clark received his marching orders for a second yellow, and there was no way back for the hosts. Full-time: Barkers 1-2 Skye.
This was a game the Barkers should have had in the bag by halftime. Barkers have lost their last two, but incredibly can still go up with only three games to play. Next is a trip to Casey Comets.
