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.