Hahndorf opened the spring season with an entertaining 1-0 win over Adelaide University, the home side playing the tutor on their way to their second win of the season following Martin Moran’s stunning strike..
Showcasing the latest in seasonal fashions, Hahndorf lined up in a new gold strip with Nathaniel Brooke donning the gloves with big Tyrone Blunt, veteran Wayne Forrester and reliable Todd Newman in defence. The Adelaide University side started confidently and were the first to threaten the goal but the Magpies saw off the danger. Soon after the opening parries, Hahndorf’s midfield of Paul Charles, Stephen Ness, Craig Cottle, Ash Parr and Martin Moran began to take charge of the game.
Cottle and Moran exchanged passes to Matt Norris who then fed Blunt, the big man venturing forward but shooting wide. Brooke was then called into action, diving to his right to push the ball away from an Adelaide free kick. The match went end to end with Norris latching onto a through ball and shooting for the near post. Brooke again sprung into action and defended his goal, parrying the shot and then putting in a leopard-like leap to gather in the loose ball.
The Magpies should have scored soon after with Norris, fellow forward John Lawler and Cottle all spurning great chances to put Hahndorf in front. However it was a piece of magic from the Agentinian Wiz, Moran who put in the only score of the game. Gathering the ball in the middle of the park, Moran strolled forward unchallenged before unleashing a 30 metre rocket that blasted over the Uni ‘keeper and into the net. A jubilant Hahndorf celebrated the score along with the home crowd, enjoying the goal and the afternoon sunshine
Hahndorf drew confidence from the audacious strike and continued to put the Adelaide defence under pressure. Norris twice went close to adding a second, a one on one chance snuffed out and soon after having a shot beat the ‘keeper but finding the side netting.
After the half time break, Hahndorf maintained possession for the opening ten minutes and pushed for further goals. Norris and Moran built up some opportunities and Cottle went just wide from 20 metres. Then Adelaide University showed some fight but the Magpie defence was steadfast and kept the visitors to long-range efforts. Hahndorf wrested possession from Uni but wasted their chance after another promising move.
Hahndorf made a series of substitutions with Kyle Eglinton and Scotty Farrant replacing Parr and Lawler. While the Magpies were getting used to the changes, Adelaide had a period of pressure but Brooke kept his area tidy and his sure hands grabbed every ball that was played through.
The Magpies again put in some fine attacks but were let down by wayward shooting, Blunt and Cottle both going wide before Newman was substituted with Luke Jones.
Jones got immediately into the fray, combining with Cottle, Eglinton and Farrant as Hahndorf held possession around the Uni penalty area. Despite their chances in front of goal and territorial dominance, Hahndorf remained vigilant against a Uni score with the defence working hard all game to keep Adelaide to few real opportunities.
In attack, the Magpies profligacy in front of goal continued with Adelaide’s ‘keeper deflecting Jones’ shot after being set up by Farrant and then Jones later shooting wide. Hahndorf continued to control the tempo of the game until the referee blew the final whistle and the Magpies celebrated their second win of the season. It was a terrific performance from all the Hahndorf players and with better finishing, they could have had a hatful of goals.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves notched up their second win in as many games, their latest assignment a distinctive 2-0 defeat of Adelaide University reserves, a brace coming from Jack Goodfellow.
From the kick off, the defence of Ben Wells, veteran Andy Craig and Matt Medley was put to the test, with the visitors looking to get on the board in the first fifteen minutes. Hahndorf custodian Danny Pace got in some important touches to keep Uni out and the hosts began to develop their midfield play through “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas, Alex Oldham and Rupert Lindon. Wide players Andrew Kenny and Lachlan “the Albino Yeti” McQueen were both defensively minded from the outset but eagerly supported front runners Vin Chow and Jack Goodfellow when the opportunity arose.
Hahndorf slowly worked their way into the match with Chow and Goodfellow garnering the bulk of the scoring chances. Goodfellow was keen to exploit the Adelaide University fullbacks and sent in many fine balls to the danger area just outside the six-yard box.
The Magpie midfield worked hard to keep the visitors under pressure with McQueen and Oldham working to release the forwards while Thomas and Lindon held their opponents well. Goodfellow opened up the scoring with a blazing shot from the edge of the area, the rapid velocity forcing the ball past the surprised University ‘keeper.
Hahndorf continued to press for more goals but found their efforts going astray and presenting Uni with a chance to get back into the game. They were lucky not to concede an equaliser when Pace made a great save and held on to a goal-bound shot that almost squeezed under him.
After half time, Luke Jones replaced McQueen and Hahndorf began to take strangle hold on the game as Chow, Thomas and Oldham all had great chances to add to the score. With the Magpies squandering opportunities it was a relief when Goodfellow added the second, a break through run ending with a composed finish.
Brad Francis replaced Wells with the Magpies on top, although the Uni side were still keen to get on the scoreboard. Throwing players forward they were exposed at the back and only poor finishing from the Magpies prevented further goals being added, Goodfellow throwing away a great chance for a hat trick. The Hahndorf team ran out the match well and their win was thoroughly deserved.
The results in the past month have been encouraging with the Magpie Reserves really starting to play as a cohesive unit under the guidance of coach Bob Oldham and the team is looking forward to finishing the season with a couple more victories.
The day was memorable for Hahndorf as earlier on the Super C’s beat the Adelaide Monarchs 2-0, making it a triple triumph of Magpie magic
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