Preliminary Cup Round: Hahndorf opens with a win.
First team: Hahndorf V Murray Bridge United
After a couple of months of pre season training and games, Hahndorf kicked off their 2009 campaign with a preliminary cup round against Murray Bridge United, the home side hanging on to record a 2-1 result.
New coach Steve Handley opted for a competitive blend of youth and experience, using the first meaningful match to fine-tune the Magpie outfit. The visitors brought a youthful approach to the game and the opening twenty minutes were played at a frantic pace, with both teams unable to bring the game under control. The action swung from end to end, the defence of Steve Noble, Lee Stibbs, Wayne Forrester and captain Matt Norris working hard to keep Mark McGrath’s goal secure. Up front the pairing of young Sam Heyward and the experienced David Grant kept the opposition on their toes, with support from midfielders John Lawler, Jack Farrimond, Todd Newman and Kyle Eglinton.
After numerous forays into the United half, Hahndorf’s persistence paid off when Norris was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Norris took the kick himself, guiding it low into the corner, past the diving Murray Bridge ‘keeper.
The setback did not deter the visitors and ten minutes later they were unlucky not to be level when a short goal kick by the Magpies went awry. With McGrath well out of position, the United forward looked to have put the ball in the goal but Norris at full pace managed to clear off the line before ending up in the net himself.
Hahndorf took advantage of some good work through the midfield before Grant combined with Heyward and the youngster wrong footed the United ‘keeper with a rolling shot into the corner. The half drew to an end with the Magpies two goals to the good but having to fight hard keep their opponents at bay.
The second half began physically, Noble enforcing his presence and leaving three Bridge players on the ground and earning himself a yellow card. Murray Bridge continued to push for a goal but the stellar defence of Forrester and Norris kept the shots to a minimum.
Hahndorf had opportunities to add to the score but failed to take advantage. Stibbs sent in a free kick that the Bridge ‘keeper dropped but Lawler could not put the chance away. Grant was reliving the days of yore with some incisive passing and movement while Farrimond and Newman were industrious before Newman sustained an injury and was replaced by Tyrone Blunt.
With the game entering the last twenty minutes, Matt Medley was brought on for Lawler. Murray Bridge refused to give up and started to dominate in possession, a long shot on goal nearly catching out McGrath.
Hahndorf countered with a flowing move that took the ball from defence into attack through Norris, Farrimond and Grant before Heyward struck a sharp effort. Hahndorf made their final substitution with senior debutant Heyward making way for Luke Jones. United increased the pressure on the Magpies and drew a penalty after some controlled play. The visitors converted the kick and it was game on with ten minutes remaining.
The visitors pressed hard for the equaliser but McGrath denied them with a great save as the intensity lifted. Norris and Forrester remained solid in defence, the experience defenders showing the way as they demanded more from their teammates. The Magpie substitutes almost settled the game with a near post corner from Jones giving Medley and Blunt an opportunity but they were kept out by the young Bridge ‘keeper.
Time eventually ran out for the fast finishing visitors and they were unlucky not to have equalised in a second half that Hahndorf let get away from them. However, it was a good start to the season for the Magpies and they will look to build on the experience. Player of the day was the wily fox, Wayne Forrester, last years Player of the Year showing his invaluable experience in pressure situations.
Reserves: Hahdorf V Seaford
The Hahndorf Reserves also got off to a winning start, downing Seaford Reserves 4-1, in a good hit out for the Magpies.
Hahndorf began the game with debutant James Nicholson between the sticks and a backline of Ben Wells, Andy Craig, Graham Phillips and Sam Gowan matched up against an experienced Seaford side. The opening exchanges saw Rupert Lindon, Owen “The Black Pearl” Boyce, Tyrone Blunt and Andrew Kenny largely controlling the midfield and providing plenty of opportunities for the forward combination of Luke Jones and Mike Lewington, another Magpie debutant.
Despite Hahndorf holding the early upper hand, it was Seaford who opened the scoring when they converted a penalty from a dubious handball claim. The goal gave the visitors confidence and they pressed for a second but the defence rallied and Nicholson denied them with some excellent saves.
Hahndorf regained their composure and drew level from a long throw that Wells launched into the opposition area. Blunt flicked on the throw for Lindon to challenge and win the ball from the Seaford ‘keeper. It fell to Lewington and he made no mistake from 8 metres.
Ten minutes later Lindon gave Hahndorf the lead after Blunt sent him through with a fine defence-splitting pass. Lindon ran into the area and after picking his spot, side footed the ball past the Seaford ‘keeper.
The visitors continued to battle but some more fine saves from Nicholson kept them without reward. Hahndorf tightened their defence and the midfield as the Magpies made some nice passing moves and interplay down the flanks.
After half time Hahndorf continued to push for more goals and took control of the midfield, Blunt and Boyce winning the ball to set up wide players Kenny and Lindon. Lewington was a handful up front and Jones had a few chances go astray. Reserves coach Bob McIntyre made some changes, bringing on Edmondo Palombo on for Kenny and Jamie Brice replacing Jones. Hahndorf showed some nice interplay, moving the ball through Blunt and Wells with a couple of diagonal passes that split open the Seaford defence, but Brice was unable to capitalise. With the Seaford players beginning to tire, the visitors were dealt a blow when they had a player sent off for a second yellow card. This gave Hahndorf more opportunities and although they were profligate in front of goal, the eventually added their third, Brice scoring at his second attempt after Lindon brought the ball in from the flank.
Seaford countered by putting more players up front and leaving the Magpies to concede the attack through offside positions. Boyce exploited this to carry the ball through the defensive line and coolly slot Hahndorf’s fourth goal and to put an end to any fight back. In the remaining ten minutes Hahndorf created many chances but poor finishing kept to score to four. Player of the match was James Nicholson, his debut saw him make some pivotal saves during the game and should develop into a fine goalkeeper.
Both Hahndorf teams are off to a winning start and into the next Cup Round. However, the real action begins in two weeks when they travel to Adelaide Uni for the first round of the League season.
