HOUSTON GIVES DUCKS A PROBLEM
DERBY DELIGHT FOR BARWON
A LONE Ben Houston goal in the 10th minute proved to be the matchwinner as Barwon sealed a 1-0 derby victory over Deakin Ducks at Grovedale Reserve on Saturday night.
The win catapults the Blue and Whites into second spot on the State League 5 table, just a point behind Barnestoneworth United with only eight games remaining in the season.
Barwon coach Dale Harris was both a happy man and a relieved one following the derby showdown.
“A local derby win is always special. Winning against Deakin was a good outcome but continuing our 100 per cent home record was even better,” he said. “Ben (Houston) got us off to a flyer in the 10th minute. We continued to press but Deakin came at us in the second half. We held on and continued our perfect home result to nine wins from nine games.
“Barwon is becoming a fortress and our home crowd is playing a massive role. The lads seem to step up their game whenever we play in front of our home support.
“Full credit to Deakin, they kept coming at us and it was a great contest in the end.”
Deakin coach Colin Raj conceded his Ducks ended up second best to a team that had taken its chances in the absorbing contest.
“Barwon play their ground really well and while both teams had a similar amount of chances, they took theirs and we weren’t able to take any of ours and those fine margins make all the difference,” Raj said.
“It was a tight game that was always going to be decided by a few key moments.
“They scored from a scramble in the box after a free kick in the first half.
“We should have been a bit more desperate and cleared the ball. It went through bodies and snuck into the bottom corner.
“In the second half, we had some good chances and their keeper saved them two points after a great save from a shot by Marcus (Lindeberg) that was heading into the bottom corner on about 80 minutes.”
The Ducks boss paid particular homage to the efforts of Ben Kenshole, who kept dangerous Barwon forward Sean Mahon quiet, as well as sharpshooter Lindeberg who battled away without much midfield service but still created good chances as a result of his workrate and quality.