SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
Shootout loss ends Barnies Premier League campaign Barnstoneworth’s incredible season came to an end last Saturday at a wet Jack Brabham Park. Kicking goals for girls, opening of new men’s and women’s change rooms at Blayney’s King George Oval with Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Somervaille; Andrew Gee; Blayney Netball Club members; and Shire councillors and staff.
Parkes Cobras beat United 5-3 on penalties, setting a date with Panorama FC in this weekend’s grand final qualifier. Both teams came into this do-ordie clash with strong momentum, guaranteeing an exciting contest for the neutrals. After clinching a 1-0 victory against Dubbo Bulls, Barnies had to face a resilient Parkes side who stunned Bathurst ‘75 in an epic penalty shootout at Proctor Park.
NEW SHEDS KICKING GOALS FOR GIRL’S SPORT AT OLD-STYLE FOOTY GROUND The explosion in girls participation and enjoyment of previously male-dominated sports, has proven one of the positive health and fitness trends in recent years. Facilities reflecting this new reality though, have been slow to catch up with new change room facilities at Blayney’s old-style footy field, King George Oval, a step in the right direction. Federal Member, Andrew Gee and Blayney Shire Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Somervaille as well as female representatives from local sporting groups, were recently on-hand to check out new male and female changerooms at the picturesque 1950s facility. Construction of the new changerooms was made possible via a Building Better Regions Funding Grant from the Federal Government and includes
new home and away change rooms which have both male and female sections, as well as accessible toilets. The old change rooms have also been refurbished to be used as change rooms for referees with separate rooms for males and females, with a medical room and additional storage. Cr Somervaille said although the project had delays due to COVID, floods and building material shortages, it is a muchneeded addition to the facilities at King George Oval and the future of women’s sport. “These change rooms will allow for women’s sport in Blayney to grow, now that the facilities appropriately cater for female sporting teams,” he said. Mr Gee agreed, adding: “Everyone should be
encouraged and supported to give the sport they love their best shot, and everyone, whether having a kick around Blayney’s King George Oval, or competing at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, deserves appropriate change, shower and toilet facilities. “Dedicated women’s changerooms reduce barriers to sport, and create a safe, inclusive environment for all. That’s why it’s fantastic that, for the first time, Blayney’s King George Oval now features fit-for-purpose women’s change room facilities!” Mr Gee said the project will influence a new wave of young girls and women into local sport, increase retention levels, and enable more sports carnivals to be held at the oval - which bring hundreds of visitors, and their dollars, to the town!”
The Barnies-Parkes elimination final looked like it was going to get postponed last Saturday morning because of the heavy rain, but the officials pressed on with the decision to play this vital game. Despite the extreme wet conditions, both sides produced some quality football for the few brave spectators at the Bernie Stedman field and the online viewers watching the live stream on Facebook. Barnies and Parkes played on the front foot in the contest’s opening exchanges with their high-press systems. But after some end-to-end action, the Cobras struck first blood off a free-kick in the 22nd minute. A long delivery found one of their towering strikers in the box, who connected with a header to glide the ball over Barnstoneworth’s keeper. From this point on, the visitors started to dominate the possession in the middle of the park and created more goal-scoring chances in the final third. With this added pressure, Parkes eventually doubled their lead 10 minutes later when their midfield playmaker, with the help of some deflections, struck a powerful shot outside the 18-yard box and into the goal. The hosts were in real trouble, staring at an early exit from the competition. But, despite the Cobras looking comfortable, Barnies somehow pegged a goal back in the 40th minute when Jarvis Marat got on the end of a through-ball and tucked a shot into the bottomright corner. Then, with the rain easing and the sun peeking out, United began playing with more conviction. With the Parkes backline still reeling
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from their conceded goal, Barnies immediately charged up the field from the restart and almost scored a second. Kenny McCall thought he’d levelled the game with his thunderous shot from close-range, but a fantastic save from the Cobras goalkeeper was enough to keep the scoreline at 2-1 going into the break. After the interval, Barnies ramped up their attack to chase that crucial equaliser to keep their season alive. The red-and-whites were pressing high and producing numerous turnovers in the centre of the pitch, keeping the Cobras in their half. Eventually, the home side found the equaliser in the 76th minute when Kenny McCall pounced on the opposition goalkeeper’s poor clearance and launched his shot into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-2. Barnstoneworth tried to push for a late winner in the last 10 minutes of regular time, but the increasing showers made conditions near unplayable. All the players struggled with grip and couldn’t string together more than one pass with the worsening wet weather. With both sides unable to launch any attacks and build up a series of passes, the contest went into 30 minutes of extra time. Under the terrible conditions, both sides played a reserved style of football to avoid any mistakes. In the end, only a penalty shootout could separate these two teams, and for Parkes, this was familiar territory after they previously knocked out Bathurst ‘75 in a shootout. The Cobras started the shootout proceedings, coolly dispatching their first shot into the net. Kenny McCall stepped up next but failed to convert from the spot after his skied attempt. Although Barnies soon scored three consecutive penalties, Parkes successfully converted all their five attempts to complete a famous victory by the finest of margins. It was not the result Barnies wanted, but the players and coaching staff can still be proud of producing plenty of entertaining football this season. The red-and-whites would have certainly liked to get their hands on the trophy in the same year as their 25th anniversary, but it looks like that elusive silverware will have to wait a little longer.