Adelaide Uni V Hahndorf
Hahndorf travelled to the North Adelaide Parklands to face the Adelaide University Blacks for the ninth round of the SAASL second division, but came up short in a 2-0 defeat.
Retaining their formation from last week the Magpies got off to a busy start with the core midfielders Ash Parr, Todd Newman and Craig Cottle, looking to take control. Wide players Paul Charles and John Lawler had plenty of ground to cover on the wide University pitch as the home side pushed for ascendancy early on. However the defensive unit of Wayne Forrester, Andy Craig and Tyrone Blunt were cohesive and goalkeeper Danny Pace had few meaningful shots to keep out.
In attack, Hahndorf favoured a South American flavour with mercurial Chilean Roly Tobar and the Argentinian Wiz, Martin Moran putting the Blacks defence under notice with a few early attempts.
The battle for the midfield contained the most interest and it was Uni who made their possession count after twenty-five minutes, getting an untracked player forward and creating an extra man as they opened the scoring from a cross that was knocked in from close range.
The goal was a setback for the Magpies but proved to be a catalyst in tightening up the midfield. Hahndorf pressed forward but lacked the vital shot or pass to get them the equaliser. Tobar and Moran at times combined well and had support from flanking runs by Charles and Lawler. As the half wound down Adelaide caused some late panic in the Hahndorf penalty area but could not find the target.
After the break, it was again an arm wrestle for midfield dominance with both teams showing a determined spirit. Blunt was having an outstanding game in breaking down the Uni attacks and Craig dealt with the aerial balls sent forward with Forrester cleaning up the loose ball.
Hahndorf had several promising free kicks but Cottle’s radar was unusually askew, although he had one effort just go wide with the ’keeper stranded. The Magpies kept up the pressure and earned several corners, however none were able to be capitalised on.
It was during a period of sustained Hahndorf possession when Adelaide were able to add to their tally, a sweeping counterattack that exposed the Magpie backline. With the Uni forward under pressure from Blunt, he managed to squeeze a shot in past Pace and consolidate their lead.
Hahndorf regrouped and substituted Tobar and Parr for Brad Francis and Stephen Ness. Francis was immediately a threat forward, his unique style making life difficult for the Blacks defence and Hahndorf were unlucky not to open their account. Ness too added some midfield energy as the Magpies, urged on by some vocal support, tried to break through on goal.
Adelaide almost sealed the game with a third goal but Pace stretched out to push a sharp effort past the post. With ten minutes remaining Hahndorf brought on Rupert Lindon for Craig as the Magpies pushed more players forward. Late on, Uni were awarded a penalty but Pace was at his acrobatic best to deny the Blacks a third score. The Hahndorf side went close on several more occasions but again lacked a telling shot as Uni held on to their lead in the dying minutes.
Blunt was outstanding as best on ground, followed by the solid contributions of Forrester, Newman and Craig. The Hahndorf side will take many positives out of the game as they develop their new formation and just need to put some goals away to turn around their season.
Reserves
The Hahndorf youth policy was evident this round as the youngest ever Reserves side was put out on the park, with no player over the age of 22. Despite the exuberance of youth, the Magpies were a touch unlucky to go down two goals to nil.
Hahndorf resorted to a traditional 4-4-2 line up behind regular custodian Nathaniel Brooke. Ben Wells, Rupert Lindon, Matt Medley and Sam Gowan formed the defensive line with the midfield comprised by Luke Jones, Lachlan McQueen, Alex Oldham and Kyle Eglinton. The strike force of Vin Chow and Jack Goodfellow carried Hahndorf’s hopes up front and they began in bright fashion, receiving strong support from the midfield.
Both sides worked hard in the midfield to supply the forwards but it was the Uni side that created the better opportunities in the opening twenty minutes, Brooke called into action several times. Medley, impressing each week in central defence and Lindon were industrious in containing the home sides’ forwards and were aided by Wells and Gowan.
Goodfellow and Chow found the Blacks defence a difficult proposition, but managed to find openings that kept the opposition ‘keeper on his toes. However, it was Uni that opened the scoring on the half hour, a sharp move catching out the Magpies and exposing the goal.
The Reserves countered with a period of possession which resulted in Oldham almost equalising with a header, the shot just sliding wide of goal. As the half drew to a close, Gowan made two valuable contributions, putting in a recovering tackle and on hand to clear from Brooke’s great save as Uni looked to add to the score.
On the resumption of play, Uni picked up where they left and put the Magpie defence under pressure. Medley and Wells blunted the attacks and Hahndorf took more control of the ball. Angus Coulls was brought on for Gowan as Hahndorf had opportunities to score. Lindon put a fine ball through to Chow but it was deemed offside and Jones put in a great effort to get a shot in that was tipped away for a corner. McQueen added to the pressure with a volley that unfortunately was aimed straight at the Uni ‘keeper.
It was surprising then when the Blacks added their second, an unlucky bounce catching Brooke short and his tapped clearance was headed back past him. Hahndorf answered the goal with Medley getting an incisive pass to Goodfellow and he drew a full length save from the host’s ‘keeper to earn a corner.
The Magpie Reserves had several more opportunities to score but even from close range could not find the net. In the remaining minutes Hahndorf continued to play well but could not prise open the Uni defence. Best on the day were Medley and Brooke.
It was another frustrating match as Hahndorf looked likely to score but lack of experience is proving to be a challenge in the final third of the pitch.
The Hahndorf Magpies have a week off before taking on MA Hawks at Pine Avenue and the Super C’s host Adelaide Uni on the 28th of June.
Super C’s
The Super C’s fought out a titanic battle with long-term adversaries Adelaide Monarchs down on the Grange ground. With scores locked at 4-4, Hahndorf fought hard to grab a winner in the dying minutes to run out 4-5 winners.
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