MA Hawks V Hahndorf
Hahndorf travelled down to MA Hawks for the third round of the SAASL 3rd Division looking to test themselves against a team many see as title contenders. Past encounters have brought close matches between the two clubs and the trend continued, a very late goal giving the hosts the three points.
From the kick off, both teams moved the ball well as they looked for an early break. The MA Hawks found little joy from the Hahndorf defence, Steve Noble and Todd Newman were well marshalled by Matt Norris and Wayne Forrester, the bald brothers of the backline on top of the attacks.
Shaun Smith and David Grant combined up front and Smith had a good opportunity to put the Magpies in front but went wide with his shot. The midfield held most of the interest with both teams pushing through the middle. Lee Stibbs and Scotty Farrant were lively down the flanks while Jack Farrimond and Jon Lynn were winning the hard balls. Hahndorf ‘keeper Mark McGrath had few shots to save and the only serious threat was when he tipped a Hawks’ free kick over the bar.
After the first half hour, the momentum of the game began to favour the visitors, as Hahndorf pressed up the ground to keep MA Hawks on the back foot. Stibbs put in an attacking throw for Farrimond, the pugnacious midfielder smashing a shot just wide of the mark. The Magpies kept up the tempo but could not break the shackles by half time.
Following some encouraging words from Coach Steve Handley, Hahndorf returned to battle in the second half, with Smith and Grant keeping the Hawks’ defence on notice. Farrimond cleaned up some loose play by both teams in the midfield and unleashed a ferocious drive from just on the centre circle. The direction and velocity of the shot took the MA Hawks’ ‘keeper by surprise and he awkwardly parried the ball before scrambling to pick it up.
Farrant was also putting himself about, his combative style drawing a few rash challenges from the Hawks players. As the game progressed Hahndorf continued to construct some intelligent play, Norris exchanging passes before setting Grant up and he struck a sharp effort from twenty-five yards that just passed over the crossbar.
With twenty-five minutes remaining Kyle Eglinton was brought on for Stibbs as the game drifted from end to end with neither team able to carve out a clear shot on goal. A few stray passes let MA Hawks in with a chance but McGrath was alert to the danger. Another substitution brought Sam Heyward into the game for Farrant as the home team enjoyed a period of pressure over the Magpies and gained a few favourable decisions.
Smith, who had run hard all day, put in a great ball for Heyward and he charged toward the Hawks goal with a defender hot on his heels. However his shot found the side netting as Hahndorf began the last ten minutes with the Hawks under pressure.
An injury to Farrimond brought on John Lawler as the Magpies continued to push for a winning goal as the minutes ticked down. However it was the MA Hawks who scored, an 88th minute stab at the near post that giving them the lead. In the last action of the match, Hahndorf tried to hit back through Lawler after Eglinton found him on the left, but his shot failed to trouble the home ‘keeper.
Best on the day was Farrimond, who put in an outstanding effort during the match, with Lynn and Forrester also prominent during the game.
The loss was a bitter one for the Magpies as they had matched the Hawks throughout the game and will feel this was a result that got away. Next week they face old rivals Adelaide Budapest in the Amateur League Challenge Cup.
Reserves
The Magpie Reserves had a tight tussle with MA Hawks but failed to capitalise on their chances before a late fight back by the home team resulted in a 2-1 defeat.
Hahndorf went into the game with confidence and the early play saw both teams battling hard in the midfield. Across the middle of the park, Tyrone Blunt, Gary Ledson and Brendan Kilpatrick fought for possession to release wide men Andrew Kenny and Owen”the Black Pearl” Boyce. The Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palombo was in the thick of the action from the start putting some timely tackles with support from Andy Craig, youngster Sam Gowen and Nathaniel Brooke in goal.
Hahndorf had a couple of half chances through Chris Hyde and John Lawler as the two front men established their attacking intentions. After twenty minutes, Hahndorf broke the deadlock through a corner in which the MA Hawks’ ‘keeper failed to properly clear. It fell to Kilpatrick who stabbed home from eight metres to give Hahndorf the lead and brought some cheer to the travelling faithful.
The Magpies had further opportunities to add to the score, the best falling to Hyde, getting on the end on a convoluted corner and bringing the ball down and past his marker with a sublime piece of control. Side footing the ball past the exposed ‘keeper, the shot ended up passing barely over the bar to the visitor’s disappointment.
Hahndorf played out the half well, with the home side chancing their luck from distance but failing to find the target. When they did get close, Brooke showed commitment in claiming the ball in his area.
In the second stanza, Hahndorf looked to extend their lead, with some good play from Ledson, Blunt and Kenny driving the midfield. Hyde began to get more of the ball and found support through Lawler, Kilpatrick and Boyce.
However, the Hawks refused to give up and were rewarded with a strange equaliser from a corner, the ball managing to contrive its way past Brooke from close range. The goal gave the home side a boost and they pushed forward with intent.
Hahndorf made some substitutions, with Ben Wells, Lachlan McQueen and Jim Hill coming on. All three were into the action, putting together some good play and keeping the Hawks on their toes.
With time running out, a badly missed tackle by Craig allowed the Hawks forward a bullocking run down the flank and he found a team-mate with his cross. The shot was true despite Brookes’ valiant attempt and the Magpies found themselves trailing 2-1 with full time looming.
Hahndorf rallied to find an equaliser and had several chances through corners but time was to be their ultimate enemy with both teams putting in a strong effort to the end. Best on the day was Ledson with strong support from Kenny and Blunt.
The Hahndorf Reserves will rue their missed opportunities but can be encouraged by some periods of passing interplay and the way they battled till the final whistle. Next week the Reserves play Elizabeth Vale away in the Reserve Cup and will look to put in a good showing against the Sunday Premier Division side.
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