Hahndorf V Flinders University

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the Hahndorf Magpies were unable to overcome two early goals, eventually going down to Flinders University 3-1.

In the final game of a very long season, Hahndorf got off to a shaky start with custodian Nathaniel Brooke and defenders Tyrone Blunt, Todd Newman and Micheal Stevens under pressure. Flinders University twice exploited some non-existent marking in the area of the pitch to rifle in two goals in the first five minutes.

Regaining their composure, Hahndorf fought back in the midfield, John Lawler, Martin Moran, Craig Cottle, Stephen Ness and Kyle Eglinton looking to establish some authority as they moved the ball forward. It was a hard fought battle in the middle and strikers Ash Parr and club captain Matt Norris found their chances few and far between, with the middle third of the pitch containing most of the action.

Flinders almost went further ahead with a period of sustained pressure that saw them hit the cross bar from a free kick and soon after drew Brooke into some excellent saves. Hahndorf fought back through a blistering shot by Parr, the Uni ‘keeper powerless to hold onto the ball and it arced toward goal. Unfortunately for the Magpies it was cleared of the line by a late arriving defender.

The attempt spurred Hahndorf on and they began to play some better football with Newman and Stevens proving to be very solid at the back. However, the Magpies could not make their possession count and they went into the halftime break rueing their tardy start.

Hahndorf began the second period of play in a positive fashion with Norris running down a through ball and setting up Lawler, but his shot was wayward. Lawler soon had another effort but again could not keep the ball on target from distance.

At the other end Brooke pulled off some acrobatic stops as Flinders looked to increase their lead. Ness battled hard for the ball all game and made several important interceptions before he was substituted with Paul Charles. As Charles settled into the game Uni had a period of dominance but the Magpie defence held firm and Hahndorf slowly wrested possession back.

The tide looked top be turning for the home side as they built up their play and they were given a solid opportunity when the Argentinian Wiz, Moran, was upended in the area, the foul getting extra points from spectators for its South American flamboyance. Cottle stepped up to take the penalty and converted with his usual assured style to make the score 2-1.

The match lifted its intensity and for the next ten minutes it was ended to end action before Flinders added their third. Brooke punched a crossed ball clear but it fell to the visitors and despite Brooke parrying the intitial shot, the ball was poked back into goal, making it 3-1 to the Uni side.

For the remaining fifteen minutes, the Magpies tried to restore parity with Moran and Blunt having a couple of chances along with Parr and Norris. Mark “Studio” Selsey replaced Lawler as late-season coach Edmundo Palumbo added fresh legs in the final minutes.

Charles had a chance for glory but fired over the bar and the skipper did likewise soon after as Hahndorf continued their late onslaught but it was to no avail as the Magpies season was brought to an end.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves continued their late season revival with a well-earned 2-1 victory over the Flinders University reserves, a brace to Jack Goodfellow doing the job for the home team.

Hahndorf were determined to put up a better effort than when the two teams met previously, the 6-1 drubbing a low point in a challenging season. Danny Pace donned the gloves for the Magpies with a rear guard of veteran Andy Craig complimented by the youngsters Ben Wells and Matt Medley. They worked hard for the opening minutes as Uni got off on the front foot, but the trio denied the visitors any real chances.

Hahndorf began to work the ball through midfield, with Alex Oldham, Vin Chow and Luke Jones linking up nicely. Captain Rupert Lindon and the Albino Yeti, Lachlan McQueen, worked on their defensive side early on to close down the Uni’s forward forays.

Up front Mark “Studio” Selsey and young Jack Goodfellow made themselves available as Hahndorf put together some sweeping moves and sought to get the advantage of kicking down the slope. Hahndorf moved the ball well into the last third of the pitch and had several opportunities to score, with Chow, Oldham and Jones all going close before a quick free from Craig also went just wide.

The endeavour shown by Hahndorf upset a few of the Flinders’ players and drew some irritated banter and a few willing challenges, however Hahndorf continued to push hard for the ball and were not taking any backward steps.

Hahndorf’s breakthrough occurred just before half time after a period of sustained pressure. Working the ball down the wing, Craig played a 1-2 with Chow before sending in a dipping cross that moved away from the Flinders ‘keeper. He failed to gather the ball cleanly and it spilled for Goodfellow to place into goal from ten metres, giving the Magpies the lead and a great finish to the half.

Hahndorf then got off to a brilliant start in the second half, adding another goal within five minutes of the kick-off. Pace drove the ball forward and a nod on by Lindon sent Goodfellow clear. The spritely forward turned inside his marker before a jink sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and Goodfellow slotted the ball home.

Despite being two goals up, Hahndorf continued to look for more goals and played with assurety. McQueen was substituted for Andrew Kenny and together with Oldham and Jones, combined with the forward line to create chances.

Flinders fought back and managed to get on the board while Hahndorf were temporarily reduced to ten men. Medley was receiving some medical attention for a hit to the head when Uni beat the offside trap to score. The goal set up an exciting final fifteen minutes as Flinders tried to find an equaliser but found the Magpie defence in a miserly mood, with Brad Francis replacing Wells.

Francis had a great chance to seal the game with minutes left but having been gifted the ball from ten metres out, sent the ball into the upper reaches of the gums and scared the native fauna. A final attack by Flinders was well covered by Pace and Hahndorf celebrated their win with relish as the final whistle was blown.

It has been a difficult year for the Hahndorf Magpies, the twelve team league has been very competitive and early season injuries coupled with a new squad put them on the back foot for much of the year. However, the season has produced some promising young talent, in both Firsts and Reserves, and next year Hahndorf will be looking to build upon this base when they take on Division 3 next season.