Hahndorf push title contenders

Adelaide Villa V Hahndorf

Visitors Hahndorf rediscovered their fighting spirit against title contenders Adelaide Villa and pushed hard for a late equaliser before time beat them and the hosts took the points with a 2-1 win.

Making the trip down to the inner Western suburbs, Hahndorf welcomed back defenders Todd Newman and Michael Stevens from injury and they slotted beside Tyrone Blunt with Danny Pace between the sticks. Flanking the midfield trio of Stephen Ness, Craig Cottle and the Argentinian Wiz, Martin Moran, were wide players Kyle Eglinton and Paul Charles.

The Magpies started well, matching Villa with their intent as both sides tested the respective goalkeepers early, the uneven surface making some shots unpredictable. Strikers John Lawler and Ash Parr put several attempts on goal that had the Villa ‘keeper stretching while at the other end Pace was kept on his toes by some sharp efforts from the opposing forwards.

Ness was at his fighting best with a clearing tackle as Villa stepped up a gear to put Hahndorf under pressure for a sustained period. However, the Magpie defence stood firm with Blunt, Newman and Stevens foiling Villa’s attacks. Pace found himself the focal point as he repeatedly denied Villa a score with some acrobatic saves, including a one on one chance gifted to the hosts from a defensive lapse.

Hahndorf hit back through Moran, Cottle and Eglinton, the three involved in a flowing move and shot that put the Villa custodian in difficulty but Hahndorf could not find the net. Moran then put Parr through and his cross had Villa scrambling to clear the ball before Lawler could close.

Emerging from half time, Hahndorf continued to challenge Adelaide Villa but suffered a setback when the home team managed to find a way past Pace within ten minutes of the restart. Not deterred, the Magpies battled hard for the ball in midfield with Moran and Cottle showing some deft moves and putting through the hard charging Parr.

With regular coach Peter Cottle off on a European talent spotting tour, Reserves top man Edmundo Palombo took over the senior team duties, working closely with the brains trust of Club captain Matt Norris and Bob Oldham and they began to make some substitutions. Roly Tobar and Andy Craig went on for Lawler and Newman and both players were straight into the action, Tobar making an enterprising run through midfield.

Parr’s attack on the ball and willingness to take on the Villa defenders saw him make inroads into the forward line and he was the Magpies most dangerous forward despite being stopped for some debatable offside decisions. Young Jack Goodfellow was brought on for Charles and made some good forays forward, working well with Moran, Stevens and Cottle

In goal, Pace continued to make some outstanding saves to keep Hahndorf in the game but he was powerless to prevent a second Villa goal after seventy-five minutes. The Magpies dug deep to press forward and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Parr was brought down in the Villa area. Cottle stepped up to bury the penalty into the corner and the game lifted in intensity with ten minutes remaining.

Both teams had opportunities to add to the score with a desperate Hahndorf defence frustrating the Villa attacks and Villa having an obliging linesman to help keep the Magpies at bay. In the final minutes, Moran was cynically brought down to give Hahndorf a last chance at the equaliser. Cottle drifted the free kick in and Craig, challenging the ‘keeper, had his header go just wide of the target.

It was a much improved effort by the Magpies and despite being under defensive pressure for much of the game, they put together some fine moves. Best on the day was the exceptional ‘keeping skills of Pace, with tremendous games from Moran and Stevens. The Magpies will be looking to carry this form into next week when they battle the Adelaide Monarchs at Pine Avenue.

Reserves

The Magpie Reserves put up a brave display before being over run by the top of the table Villa Reserves.

Hahndorf got off to a poor start, conceding a goal within the first ten minutes, defenders Sam Gowan, Wayne Forrester and Matt Medley still adjusting to a new formation and particularly uneven surface when Villa put one past Magpie custodian Nathaniel Brooke. Employing a five man midfield of Ben Wells, Andrew Kenny, Stuart Thomas, Lachlan McQueen and Gus Coulls, Hahndorf made Villa fight for every possession as the Magpies worked their way back into the match.

The action was end to end, with Vin Chow and Jack Goodfellow finding plenty of the ball, but having trouble getting past the experienced Villa defence. Despite Villa getting the better shots on goal, some tremendous saves by Brooke kept the score to one by the end of the half.

In the second stanza, Villa again scored early in the half, when Hahndorf was caught looking at a loose ball in the area before a Villa forward poked it home. The Magpies continued to battle but as the half progressed, Villa made their attacks more telling. Hard work in the midfield resulted in some nice Magpie moves forward but the final shot or pass was not able to impact the score.

Villa returned fire with varied attacks and managed to put a further three goals past a tiring Hahndorf defence. The score may have been more but for some crucial saves by Brooke. Coulls and McQueen tried to lift the Magpies late on but crosses from out wide often fell to the Villa defence and Hahndorf were kept out of the scoring zone.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies return to the more familiar surrounds of Pine Avenue when they host the Adelaide Monarchs for round 15 of the SAASL Second Division. Earlier, the Super Cs take on local rivals Stirling, the two teams on similar points in the division.

Hahndorf in second half capitulation

Adelaide Cougars V Hahndorf

Hahndorf suffered a second half fade out against a fired up Adelaide Cougars and wound up on the wrong side of a 7-0 score line.

With both teams at the foot of the SAASL 2^nd division, round 12 was expected to provide a tight contest, however battling the high winds and some uneven bounce, Hahndorf could only provide a challenge for the first half.

The team got off to a reasonable start with regular custodian Danny Pace between the sticks and the defensive core of Tyrone Blunt, Andy Craig and Wayne Forrester. Hahndorf kicked off with the wind and midfielders Ash Parr, Craig Cottle and young Jack Farrimond immediately got into the fray as they sought to use the flanks with Kyle Eglinton and Stephen Ness.

The Cougars also looked to exploit the flanks and had several sorties into the Magpie penalty area where Pace was alert to the threat. Using the long ball into the wind, the Cougars found space behind the defence, who were not at their cohesive best, however Blunt maintained his assured form from last week and led the way in the back line.

Up front, the strike force of the Agentinian Wiz, Martin Moran and John Lawler found the long ball was mostly eluding them and going through to the Cougars ‘keeper. However, the Magpies put together the best chances of the opening twenty minutes through Parr and Farrimond, both with rasping shots that went just wide. In another build up through midfield, Parr turned provider for Ness, a sweeping cross met at pace by Ness and he drove his shot inches wide of goal.

On the half hour the Cougars broke the deadlock with a through ball that left Pace one on one with the nippy forward and he put the ball past the diving Magpie ‘keeper. Undeterred, the Magpies regrouped and put pressure on the Cougars backline. Moran worked the ball with Cottle but could not find space for the shot as Hahndorf tried to find the equaliser.

It was to never arrive as the Cougars again latched onto a through ball and added their second with five minutes left in the half. It was a disappointing end to a half where Hahndorf should have put a score on the board.

The second stanza was painful to watch for the travelling faithful as the Magpies rarely showed glimpses of a team up for the contest. Throughout the half the Cougars added to the score with regularity and possibly could have had many more but for some outstanding saves by Pace.

Driven onto the backfoot by the wind and the Cougars desire for the ball, the Magpie defence struggled to build on their previous half. The Cougars continued to attack in numbers and often found a man free as Hahndorf failed to mark up and follow their players.

After the Cougars went 4-0 up, substitutes Roly Tobar, Paul Charles and Michael Stevens came on to inject some fight and fresh legs. Charles immediately went on the attack and made some promising moves down the wing. One of these picked out Tobar in the middle of the area but he could not put the ball on target with the Cougars ‘keeper out of position. Stevens made some solid contributions, while Farrimond continued to battle for every ball, his efforts an example to most of his more senior teammates.

The referee’s whistle finally ended the Magpies torment and they now have a weeks rest to find the form that looked so promising just a week ago. Outstanding efforts for the day went to Pace, Farrimond and Blunt, the shining beacons in a sea of Magpie mediocrity.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves put in a fine fighting display but could not pull back an early Cougar goal, resulting in a 1-0 loss.

Starting with a familiar back line of Matt Medley, Ben Wells, Sam Gowan and Skipper Rupert Lindon, the Magpies were stunned by a freak goal inside the first twenty seconds. From the kickoff, the Cougars pushed down the flank and hit a speculative shot from a wide position. Aided by the strong wind, the shot flew into the top far corner, giving Nathaniel Brooke no chance and putting the only score on the game on the board.

The Magpies fought back through the midfield of Angus Coulls, Luke Jones, Lachlan McQueen and the Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palumbo. Combining with forward Vin Chow, McQueen and Jones set up Coulls on the edge of the area but he hit his shot wide. Jack Goodfellow continued with fine form up front, his fleet feet gliding past several defenders.

In defence, Wells drew an unwarranted swinging arm which should have seen the culprit sent off but with the referee not venturing outside the centre circle, the incident was put aside.

Hahndorf flirted with danger, pushing players forward and found themselves outnumbered four to two on a counter attack. Fortunately for the visitors, the player blasted his shot wide as he met the cross at the far post.

In the shadows of half time, McQueen found space down the wing and the “Albino Yeti” put in a tantalising cross that forced the Cougars ‘keeper into a clearing punch.

After half time, Stuart Thomas made a return from injury and partnered Medley in defence and they both put in some timely tackles to deny the Cougars a further score. Hahndorf continued to play some good passing football and created scoring opportunities, however they lacked the finishing touch to find the equaliser.

Goodfellow made an excellent run into the Cougars penalty area but frustratingly hit his shot at the ’keeper. Chow was finding plenty of the ball and worked well with the midfield, but Hahndorf often failed to find the vital touch in the final third of the pitch.

The game progressed along with both sides getting their chances but firm defence combined with the difficult conditions saw no addition to the scoreboard in the half.

Hahndorf have a week off due to their scheduled opponents, Cove, playing in the Cup, so they next face the third placed Adelaide Villa away.

Hahndorf rue final minutes

Flinders University V Hahndorf
In an exciting encounter that had the fans on the edge of their seats, Hahndorf ultimately let Flinders Uni off the hook as two late goals by the hosts resulted in a 3-3 final score.
The SAASL11th round of Division 2 pitted the 4th placed Uni against an improving Hahndorf unit looking to pull itself up the league table. With injuries again a concern for Hahndorf, Coach Peter Cottle gave starts to Kyle Eglinton and Stephen Ness on the flanks, with youngster Jack Farrimond put into central midfield.
The defence centred on the settled line up of Danny Pace in goal with veteran Andy Craig, the in-form Tyrone Blunt and experienced Wayne Forrester providing cover. Midfielders Ash Parr and Craig Cottle supplied the linking balls to forwards John Lawler and the Argentinian “Wiz”, Martin Moran.
Flinders got off to a confident start, pushing the ball around well on their home turf and showed a few genuine threats in the final third of the ground. The Magpie defence weathered the early storm and Hahndorf began to push the ball wide to Ness and Eglinton with support from Parr and Cottle.
Hahndorf drew reward for their endeavour with a sustained move involving five players that moved the ball across both sides of the pitch. The penultimate pass arrived with Cottle and he fired in a dipping cross for Lawler to head at goal. The Flinders’ goalkeeper stretched to prevent to ball going inside the post but could not hold the ball. Following up, Lawler won the loose ball and bundled into the net to the joy of the visiting faithful.
Flinders Uni bounced back with some attacking moves but often over hit their passes and they were forced to take long shots as the Magpies worked hard to deny them space near goal. Parr and Farrimond applied pressure to the midfield and Cottle was able to release Ness and Moran with regularity.
With fifteen minutes left in the half, Flinders were handed a goal as Pace parried a good shot. In an attempt to clear the ball, a defender belted the ball against a team mate and it ricocheted into the Magpie goal. The score was a setback for Hahndorf but they battled on for the rest of the half, looking to add to their tally.
With scores locked at 1-1, Hahndorf continued to push their higher placed opposition after half time. Ness was in outstanding form and worked well with Cottle and Craig to forge attacks down the flank while also putting in his defensive duty. Blunt was also having a fine game, intercepting the Uni attacks and distributing the ball to midfield and forward options.
Cottle commandeered the midfield, working well with Moran and Lawler as Hahndorf were looking the better team. Despite this, Uni remained a threat but their wayward shooting let them down. In perhaps a lucky break for the Magpies, when Flinders did get the ball into the net it was disallowed for a foul on Pace.
Twenty minutes into the half, Hahndorf struck a second goal. Employing some Route One football, Pace launched the ball forward and it was poorly dealt with by the Uni defence. Moran latched onto the long ball and pushed it past the advancing ‘keeper just before he was cleaned up by a desperate defender. The ball finished in the net with Moran on his back, and he needed medical attention before he could retake the field.
At 2-1, Hahndorf were full of belief and needed to be as Flinders started to throw players forward searching for a second goal. They missed several chances as the intensity picked up and both teams were desperate for possession. Hahndorf made a change, bringing on Vin Chow for Farrimond who had battled hard all game.
With the play going from end to end, Hahndorf looked to have sealed the three points when Cottle added a third with a great strike directly from a corner, the ball curling inside the far post. The Magpies were jubilant but in the remaining ten minutes faced a determined University side. Both teams made substitutions, Hahndorf bringing on the raw running of “the Albino Yeti”, Lachlan McQueen and Uni throwing a towering beanpole up front.
Hahndorf were defending deeply as Flinders pumped long, high balls into the Magpie penalty area and with minutes left the hosts scored, the tall forward getting enough on his header to breech the Magpie goal. Uni continued to attack, throwing everyone forward and gained a corner. Again Hahndorf could not counter the tall Uni player and with his header they equalised with seconds to go.
A shocked Hahndorf then had a chance to score in the final few seconds but with Parr putting the ball in the net, the referee found a push off the ball and ruled out the goal.
The result was a bitter sweet moment for the Magpies, playing well to lead their more fancied hosts all game but falling just short of getting a valuable three points. In a match where the Magpies gave their all, best player votes went to Cottle, Blunt and Ness, all outstanding on the day. Hahndorf have continued to improve and no doubt will upset a many of their rivals as the second half of the season gets underway.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves struggled to cope with form and injuries in the first half and conceded six goals but redeemed themselves with the only score of the second to finish 6-1 down.
The Magpie Reserves went into the match with regular goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke and a young defence of Ben Wells, Matt Medley, Captain Rupert Lindon and Sam Gowan. In midfield, Andrew Kenny, Luke Jones, Angus Coulls and Lachlan “the Albino Yeti” McQueen battled for control but found the wet, wide pitch a little slick and struggled to hold on to the ball.
Young forward Jack Goodfellow joined Vin Chow up front and they had a few opportunities but could not put the score on the board. Uni opened the scoring after a back pass was not adequately dealt with and fell two goals down soon after when Brooke was caught out of position, allowing a simple tap in.
Hahndorf tried to put Flinders under pressure but the bounce of the ball did them no favours as their hosts hit long balls wide and forward looking to exploit the height advantage they had up front.
Jones smashed a free kick from distance that the Uni ‘keeper struggled to hold but the ball was cleared before Hahndorf’s forwards could put in a challenge.
At the other end everything was going the host’s way, a cross from out wide dropped into goal and a fourth added when a great double save by Brooke saw the loose ball knocked in. A further two ended in the Hahndorf net as the half concluded.
Rising from the previous half’s carnage, the Magpie Reserves applied themselves and started to make inroads to the Uni goal. Chow won a ball from a corner and skipped past a defender but blasted his shot over the bar.
Substitutes Edmondo Palombo and Michael Stevens, the latter making his return after a long injury spell, added some assured touches and Hahndorf retained some midfield possession.
Goodfellow showed some nice touches and beat several opponents in one of many forays forward for the Magpies and was rewarded for his persistence with the only score of the half. A good build up through Stevens sent the ball wide and deep where Goodfellow won the challenge. Opening up the goal as he moved toward the middle, Goodfellow struck the ball with the outside of his foot to beat the ‘keeper at the near post.
The goal was a just reward for the Reserves as they put their best foot forward in the second half. Best on the day were Lindon, Medley and Goodfellow.
There is a feast of football with a triple header on next week at Pine Avenue. Hahndorf will be looking to put a score past the Cougars at the Magpies Nest and the Super C’s host the second placed Sturt Marion. Action starts at 11.30am.