Adelaide Budapest V Hahndorf
Hahndorf travelled to the far reaches of Kilkenny to take on old foes Adelaide Budapest in Round 1 of the Amateur League Challenge Cup. In a close game that went to extra time, superior finishing by the home side saw them advance to the next round, 5-3.
Adelaide Budapest showed their usual proficient organisation, starting the match with ten men and marking out the pitch fifteen minutes before kick off. Hahndorf took advantage of their numerical supremacy to take the lead through David Grant, the evergreen Scotsman driving a shot past the Budapest ‘keeper from just outside the area.
Budapest responded by finding another player and the match became a tighter affair, the home side putting the wide-open spaces of the ground to good use. However, the Hahndorf defensive unit of Steve Noble, Todd Newman along with the Bald Brothers, Matt Norris and wily fox Wayne Forrester, were equal to the task. Magpie goalkeeper Mark McGrath made some timely saves as Budapest worked their way into the match
Hahndorf’s midfield kept up the work rate, Tyrone Blunt, Jon Lynn, Scotty Farrant and Lee Stibbs battling hard to counter the home side. Shaun Smith and Grant were finding some opportunities on goal and Hahndorf were pushing for another score against the Budapest team. The Magpies suffered a setback when Captain Norris had to come off due to an injury, however his replacement, Kyle Eglinton put in a great effort in the backline.
Noble moved into the midfield and put on a clinic on winning tackles and hard graft, giving the Magpies momentum, however it was Budapest who equalised before half time, putting a dent in Hahndorf’s game.
The home side then blew the game apart in the first five minutes after the break, scoring two goals in quick succession to take the ascendancy. Hahndorf never gave up however and fought hard to get back into the game, Noble, Blunt and Lynn working to counter Budapest’s midfield. Repelling a Budapest attack, Blunt sent Grant away with a great pass. Grant quickly found Smith and the slippery forward escaped the home defence to knock the ball past the Budapest custodian for a 3-2 score.
With ten minutes remaining, the Hahndorf Magpies searched for an equaliser and pressed the Budapest defence hard. Combining well down the flank, Blunt sent in a cross-come-shot as the ball sailed past the Budapest ‘keeper into the net for an unlikely, but very welcome equaliser.
John Lawler came on for the injured Grant and immediately troubled the host defence with his pace and had an opportunity to put the game away but for a spurious offside call.
With the full time score locked at 3-3, the match went into extra time and again Lawler had a great chance to score. Closing in on goal, he smashed his shot into the bar and then collecting the rebound had his second effort saved by the ‘keeper.
It was fortune for the home side that they did not squander, replying with a powerful swerving shot to put Budapest ahead. Hahndorf tried to equalise but failed to find the net with several efforts. With extra time almost up and the floodlights beginning to take over from the receding daylight, Budapest made sure of the result with a fifth score to end Hahndorf’s slim hopes.
It was a hard loss to take for Hahndorf, in the contest for most of the time but their profligacy in front of goal left them short in an entertaining match. Best on the day was Noble, his endeavour and attack on the ball driving the Magpie midfield.
Reserves
Elizabeth Vale V Hahndorf
In the Challenge Cup on Sunday, Hahndorf made the long trek to Elizabeth Vale, the Premier division side expected to easily account for the hills team. However, Hahndorf put in a sterling effort to push Vale until the end, the home side getting over the line, 3-2.
Hahndorf started the match with Nathaniel Brooke between the sticks and he was in the action early as the defence of Ben Wells, Andy Craig, Stuart Thomas, and the “Italian Maestro” Edmondo Palombo found themselves under fire from the young Vale attacking force. The Magpies’ midfield of Andrew Kenny, Gary Ledson, Rupert Lindon and Brendan Kilpatrick took time to adjust to the opening salvos as the hosts worked the ball around the pitch well.
Within fifteen minutes Vale made a breakthrough, the forwards catching a favourable bounce on the edge of the area and stabbing the ball past Brooke. Hahndorf lifted its game and began to find front men Chris Hyde and Mike Lewington. Several runs by Lewington caused concern for the Vale defence and unable to cope with his pace, eventually fouled him in the area. Veteran Andy Craig converted the penalty to even the score after twenty-five minutes.
Vale pushed the Magpies but Brooke made some excellent saves and the Hahndorf defence was not giving the opposition an easy run. It was therefore frustrating when Hahndorf gifted Vale a second goal, Craig over running a loose ball and the Elizabeth forward seizing the chance to go 2-1 up. Vale may have thought that the goal would have quietened the visitors with but the Magpies kept looking to score.
A Hahndorf corner put the visitors back in the match, Ledson delivered a fine ball for Hyde to nod past the Vale ’keeper, the equaliser going in five minutes before half time.
At half time Kieran Evans was brought on for Kilpatrick who succumbed to injury. Bouyed by the scoreline, Hahndorf went into the second half with optimism and expected their opponents to come out charging. The battle was fierce as Vale sought to open up the Magpies but were denied through some outstanding work by the defence and Brooke, who was dominating the penalty area.
It was then something of an anti climax when Elizabeth Vale were awarded a dubious penalty, the “offence” occurring on the corner of the area. Vale duly converted the penalty for a 3-2 lead.
Hahndorf brought on Sam Gowen and Lachlan “Albino Yeti” McQueen, to keep up the pressure and the Magpies had several opportunities to equalise. Hyde and Lewington looked particularly dangerous, while the Italian Maestro, Palombo consistently outfoxed his much younger opponent.
As both teams tired from the engrossing battle, the game opened up but both sides were unable to make the most of their chances before time ran out for the Magpies.
All players put in a mighty team effort with Lewington and Brooke leading the best on ground plaudits. Despite the loss, Hahndorf put in a commendable performance against far higher ranked opposition and will be looking to maintain their form on the resumption of the league season.
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