Round 7: Hahndorf V Adelaide Cougars

Hahndorf hosted the undefeated Adelaide Cougars on a cold and rainy Saturday for the 7th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd division. In a tight contest, a goal in each half to the visitors saw them leave Pine Avenue with the three points.

The recent good form of Nathaniel Brooke in goal ensured he was promoted to the first team this week and before him were the defensive talents of Kyle Eglinton, Lee Stibbs, Todd Newman and the wily fox, Wayne Forrester. The Magpies featured the young attacking pair of Mike Lewington and Sam Heyward, with support from the experienced midfield of John Lawler, Matt Norris, Jon Lynn and Ash Oosh.

The match started evenly, the Cougars attacking with the slope and moving the ball confidently through midfield. The Hahndorf defence matched them well and soon opened up some attaching space through the midfield. Neither side were able to get a many definitive shots on goal, both defences working well. The Cougars had a good chance but great work by Stibbs saw him clear the ball off the line.

The even play continued for most of the half before the Cougars opened the scoring. Brooke had covered a long shot before an unfortunate deflection diverted the ball past him and into the net. The goal was a dent in the Magpies confidence but a few tough tackles from Newman and Forrester showed the home team was still well in the match.

With half time approaching, Hahndorf went on the attack with Lewington constantly harassing the Cougar defence , and Oosh and Lawler working hard to move the ball forward. The Magpies had two good chances to equalise through Heyward, the striker getting through on goal but finding the Cougars’ ’keeper with his shot. Soon after, a long shot was spilled by the visiting custodian but Heyward was unable to capitalise, the Cougar defence recovering quickly.

The second half developed into a struggle for both teams, as their respective defences played sufficiently well to keep chances on goal to a minimum. Brooke covered his goal well when a Cougar shot got near, a strong one-armed rebuff of the ball followed by a good recovering save keeping the Magpies in the game.

With both defences largely on top, Hahndorf made a couple of substitutions, Heyward replaced by Shaun Smith, the sprightly forward immediately showing some sparkle on the flank. He whipped in a cross to Lawler, but the Cougar ‘keeper just managed to cut out the ball. Oosh made way for David Grant as Hahndorf began to create some of the best chances of the match.

Lewington got to a wide ball and put in a great cross to Norris, who struck it well, but a defender threw his leg in the way of the goal-bound shot. The Magpies had several more opportunities, a throw flicked on to Lawler who drove his shot barely wide as the ‘keeper belatedly dived after the ball.

In a reverse of play the Cougars then scored their second, a rasping shot from a tight angle after Brooke had punched away a corner. The Magpies did not give up and soon after Smith and Lawler both had good one-on-one opportunities but failed to find the net. Grant played a one-two with Lawler and put in a cross to Norris who hit a sharp effort just over the bar.

Hahndorf’s endeavour to get a result saw them battle for the ninety minutes but ultimately they could not get the score on the board. Best on the day was Newman, the defender outstanding in repelling the Cougars, with Stibbs and Lewington also putting in strong contributions.

Reserves
Hahndorf Reserves battled hard all day but did not take their chances as the visiting Cougars managed three second half goals to one to take the points.

Missing four players from last weeks triumph, Hahndorf still fielded a competitive side with Matt Medley, Andy Craig, Brad Francis and the “Italian Maestro”, Edmondo Palombo in the back-line.

Andrew Kenny, Tyrone Blunt, Ben “Beninho” Wells and the “Black Pearl”, Owen Boyce fought out the midfield possession with Chris Hyde and Brendan Kilpatrick up front. Finch Cowlam dusted off the boots to make a rare appearance between the sticks, the former first team ‘keeper making his Reserves debut.

The game opened up with both sides exchanging possession in midfield, the defences of both sides capably dealing with any early threats. The Cougars had a couple of sights on goal but Cowlam was equal to the task as Hahndorf looked to build from the back. Craig, Medley and Palombo passed the ball through the midfield, as Kenny and Wells sought to exploit the spaces down the flanks.

Hahndorf had a few shots on goal, but could not find the target as both teams wrestled for the opening score. The Cougars tried to capitalise on their possession but with the defence holding fast, the Magpies denied them any real clear chances. Both teams went into half time feeling they could break the stalemate and the game.

The Cougars came out fighting upon the resumption of play, forcing Hahndorf out of their half time lethargy with some sustained pressure. However, Craig marshalled the defence as the Magpies fought their way back into the match.

Blunt and Kenny had several chances on goal but again their aim was astray as Hahndorf enjoyed a period of pressure, forcing the Cougars into retreat down the hill. Blunt’s possession in midfield was pivotal in Hahndorf’s attacking style as the Magpies had several corners but could not make the set piece pay.

The light rain that had hung around for a while began to effect the playing surface. It was to change the course of the match, a hopeful Cougar ball slipping past Cowlam as the opposition forward ran on to the open goal. Hahndorf tried to reply but their shots were wasteful and they suffered a further blow when the Cougars scored again. A very well hit shot giving the Magpie custodian no chance.

The Hahndorf team responded almost immediately, a series of passes from the back finding Hyde in space on the edge of the Cougar box. A clinical finish by the experienced forward put the ball into the bottom corner and the Magpies in the game at 2-1.

Hahndorf sensed the change in fortune and pressed forward, with the opposition beginning to tire. Hahndorf made a number of substitutions, youngsters Sam Gowan, Josh Watson and Kieran Evans added to the fray. The Magpies worked the ball around well to release Kilpatrick on goal and with the ‘keeper to beat, he watched in anguish as the shot cannoned off the crossbar.

It was a let off the visitors took advantage of, a late goal five minutes from the end putting the game into the Cougars keeping. Despite a great team effort, the Magpies were to rue their missed opportunities. Best on the day was Medley, showing the award-winning form of last year with Blunt also putting a great game in midfield.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies will be at their Pine Avenue home, playing a catch up game against the Redblue Eagles, both Firsts and Reserves aiming to get full points from the fixture.