Round 4: Hahndorf V McLaren District

Hahndorf V McLaren District

Hahndorf hosted a young but enthusiastic McLaren District for the fourth round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League Third division. In front of a good crowd containing some familiar faces, the Magpies outlasted the visitors for a 3-2 win.

Hahndorf kicked off with the slope at the Pine Avenue ground and enjoyed the opening exchanges, the midfield getting the better of their opposition, with Jon Lynn, Ashley Oosh and Captain Matt Norris supplying Sam Heyward and Shaun Smith with some early sights on goal. Dave Grant also chimed in with support from Lee Stibbs as the Magpies sought to turn their possession into goals.

Wayne Forrester directed his defence with his usual no nonsense approach, Steve Noble and Todd Newman equally miserly in allowing the District players any room. Hahndorf continued to press for goal, the better chances falling to young Heyward. A flowing Hahndorf move saw Grant and Norris link up, the Magpie captain putting in an exquisite cross that Heyward met well, but luck deserted him and the shot cannoned of the post.

However, ten minutes later Norris showed his finishing style, latching on to Smith’s cross at the far post and slotting the ball into the exposed McLaren goal. Norris’ celebratory cartwheel would have barely rated in Olympic gymnastics, but the only score he cared about was the 1-0 Hahndorf had just taken.

Hahndorf then had a period of domination, several shots peppering the District goal. Stibbs sent in a belter from distance that had the McLaren ‘keeper scrambling to keep out, just tipping the ball past the post. Smith’s pace troubled District and Oosh gave the midfield no rest. The visitors were not lying down however and really should have equalised close to half time, Hahndorf ‘keeper Mark McGrath a little exposed and glad to see the shot go wide.


Hahndorf started the second half well, pushing the ball around and blunting the attacks of McLaren District at the edge of the penalty area. Oosh, industrious as always, seized control of the ball and sent Heyward away on a fast break. The talented striker strode into the area and buried the ball past the advancing ‘keeper.

Cruising at 2-0, Hahndorf perhaps took it a little easy and allowed McLaren back into the game. They began to link up through the midfield and put the home team under pressure. They were rewarded with a great goal, a shot from distance arrowing into the top corner and giving McGrath no chance.

Hahndorf coach Steve Handley responded with some tactical substitutions, Heyward making way for John Lawler. Hahndorf steadied and lifted the intensity with Lynn latching on to a scorching drive that the District ‘keeper did well to tip past the post. Soon after, Oosh sent in a fierce cross that eluded everyone and crashed into the goal post.

Then a strange turn of events resulted in a second yellow card and Hahndorf were left with ten men. Under pressure, the Magpies defended well but were let off the hook, the Mclaren attacker through on goal but spraying his shot and failing to trouble McGrath. It was a costly miss and minutes later more misfortune befell the visitors. Lawler and a defender chased a long clearance, the ball bouncing into the area and the pressured defender heading it past his own ‘keeper for an unfortunate own goal.

Despite this, the visitors did not lie down and Hahndorf found themselves in a hard fought finish, McLaren District finding some midfield space and keeping the Magpie defence on alert. Minutes from the end, Mclaren hit another score, the goal a mirror image of the first and driving into the opposite top corner from distance.

However, Hahndorf ran out the remaining minutes to record their second league win of the season to the delight of the home supporters. In an exciting game, Oosh took away the man of the match award, the gladiatorial midfielder a driving force all day.


Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves put together a good performance to comfortably account for an injury hit McLaren District, the final score of 4-1 getting the three points for the Magpies.

Hahndorf looked to continue their strong form from last week and started the match in fine form. Chris Hyde and Mike Lewington were the focus of attack and gained plenty of the ball through the midfield of Andrew Kenny, Gary Ledson, Tyrone Blunt and Rupert Lindon.

Veterans Stuart Thomas and Andy Craig led the defence with Lachlan McQueen and the Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palombo vigilant early on. Hahndorf worked their way forward several times, Kenny finding space out wide and Palombo having a determined run toward goal. However, Hahndorf lacked the finishing touch and some excellent saves by the visiting ‘keeper kept the scoresheet blank.

The visitors settled and pushed forward, giving Hahndorf ‘keeper Nathaniel Brooke the opportunity to showcase his shot stopping prowess, several sharp efforts denied by the big man. Hahndorf tightened up in defence, Thomas and Craig winning the aerial duels but going forward the Magpies were profligate in front of goals.

Their wastefulness was highlighted when McLaren District opened the scoring, a looping ball from out wide just sneaking under the crossbar. Just as concerning was an injury to Lindon in the same passage of play, a severe twisted ankle seeing him replaced by Matt Medley.

The Magpies went into half time a goal down but believing they had the better of the play. Within ten minutes of the restart, Hahndorf drew level, a corner causing panic in the McLaren area and Lewington getting a touch to put the ball in goal.

The second goal arrived soon after the first. Great possessional play by the Magpies put Kenny on a scything run down the flank. He supplied a terrific cross as Hyde got in ahead of a statuesque defender to power a fine header past the District ‘keeper.

Playing well, Hahndorf brought on the Black Pearl, Owen Boyce, injecting some finesse and pace on the left. The Magpies began to dominate proceedings and their task was helped when a District player limped off and was not replaced. The Magpies took full advantage, Boyce whipping in a corner for Craig to dummy, the move surprising the defence and the ball ricocheted off a McLaren player into the net.

When a second McLaren player was injured, the Magpies pushed the advantage, Lewington adding a fourth, racing past the exposed defence to blast the ball past the District ‘keeper. In control of the game, young Josh Hartnett entered the fray and put in a couple of sturdy tackles during his short stint. With time winding down, Hahndorf eased off the pressure, Blunt missing a couple of good opportunities before full time was signalled. In a strong effort from all players, outstanding on the day was Kenny, his match full of running and his crosses superb.

In the Super C’s fixture, Hahndorf took second spot on the table with a 4-1 win over Old Ignatians, the Magpies putting in a fine performance.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies will want to maintain their winning form when they host arch rivals Mt Barker. In what should be a challenging derby, both Hills teams will be after the three points and local bragging rights.