MOOROOLBARK has pulled themselves to within five points of safety in the FFV men’s provisional league 1 south-east competition.
The Barkers beat fourth-placed Frankston Pines 6-0 in their clash on Saturday with a hat-trick from Brechan Adams leading the charge with goals in the 19th, 49th and 63rd minutes.
Reuben Clausen (32nd), Mario Cauteruccio (pen 45th) and Adam Doughty (84th) were the other scorers.
On 19 minutes the Pines gave the ball away to Doughty, who found Adams in space to crack home the opening goal, and Barkers’ 50th league goal under Andy McCabe.
On the half hour, Doughty raided down the left.
His ball in fell to Adams, who found an unmarked Clausen near the far post, and it was a straightforward task to score his first league goal for six years.
Cauteruccio dispatched a penalty into the goal for a 3-0 half-time lead.
In the opening minutes of the second-half Doughty’s cross found Adams, who scored from close range for 4-0.
Just after the hour, a clearance from the Pines keeper was intercepted by Adams, who sent the ball straight back past him for his fourth Barker hat-trick (a new record) and 5-0.
On 84 minutes Doughty smashed a shot home to make it 6-0.
With five games to go, Barkers need six points to guarantee safety.
Bizarrely, they could also still go up as the league tightens up behind Warragul, who are now confirmed promoted.
Next is a Wednesday night home fixture against Riversdale followed by a Saturday trip to Sandringham (2nd).
Barkers reserves won 1-0 with a goal from Luke House, and stay in 2nd spot. They will need to win all five games to have a chance at the championship.