Burundi Eagles V Hahndorf
In blustery conditions, Hahndorf played a catch up match on Saturday, taking on the undefeated Burundi Eagles. The Magpies were unlucky to concede a late winner in the entertaining game, the 2-1 score keeping the Eagles at the top of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League’s 3rd Division.
Nathaniel Brooke took his place between the sticks as Hahndorf kicked off with the wind. In defence, Todd Newman, Matt Norris, Lee “Collagen” Stibbs and the wily fox Wayne Forrester were prepared for a torrid time from Burundi side. Through the centre of the park, David Grant, Steve Noble and John Lawler joined Jack Farrimond, the young dynamo returning to midfield duties after a fractured arm.
Forwards Ash Oosh and Mike Lewington got straight into the action with Oosh having a chance to score in the opening minutes. However, soon after it was Burundi who opened the scoring, a scramble in the penalty area eventually ending with the ball in the net.
Hahndorf recovered well from the early blow and kept the pressure on the quick Burundi side as the Magpies midfield battled for possession. The windy conditions made play difficult but both sides produced some quality touches as the play went end to end. Brooke was alert to the Burundi threat and made some vital saves with the defence of Hahndorf working hard to repel the home team.
With ten minutes remaining in the half, Hahndorf hit back through Oosh, the combative forward running on to a missed header by the Eagles’ defender. Picking his spot, Oosh coolly slotted the ball past the advancing ‘keeper to restore parity in the match. It was a fair result for the half, both sides keeping the play open and each team getting a reward for their endeavour.
After the half time break, the Burundi Eagles came out firing and should have scored a second but for a brilliant save by Brooke, the Burundi forward running into Hahndorf’s area and striking a low drive that Brooke tipped past the post. Minutes later, captain Norris was on hand to clear a rasping shot off the line as the home side attacked with the strong wind at their backs.
Hahndorf defended well and built up their attack, looking to get behind the Eagles’ defence as they pushed well up the ground. The period of possession by the Magpies was not rewarded, the Burundi defence doing enough to prevent Hahndorf getting a second score on the board. One chance almost broke the deadlock, Stibbs unleashing a sharp effort from the corner of the area but the Burundi ‘keeper just managed to tip the shot over the bar when it looked to have found the top corner of the net.
The match lifted in intensity with both teams putting in some tough tackles and tempers began to fray. Farrimond, Norris, Noble and Forrester were prominent during the robust period of play and emotions threatened to spill over. However, the referee stepped in to retain control and soon after Hahndorf enjoyed some good moves that put them into scoring positions. Lawler and Oosh worked down the flank and into the area before Oosh centred to Grant. With his back to goal, the attacking midfielder laid off the ball for Noble but his scorching shot went over the bar.
Burundi countered with some quick play that earned them one of several free kicks outside the penalty area. Somewhat surprisingly, the Eagles’ custodian ran up to take the kick, which went over the bar. Burundi kept up their free style of play, often not appearing to look where they were kicking the ball but finding their players with regularity.
A second Burundi free by the ‘keeper was tipped over the bar by Brooke as Hahndorf looked to wrest control from the home team. Forrester, Newman, Norris and Stibbs fought well to force the nippy Eagles players into rushing their shots, the Magpies doing it tough into the gusting wind. A Magpie substitution brought on Brendan Kilpatrick for Lewington, the big forward having ran and harassed all day.
Oosh found an opportunity to get at goal but the quick defence of the Eagles did enough to deny the bustling forward a clear shot as he bore down on the opposition’s penalty area. With five minutes remaining another free kick to the Eagles undid Hahndorf’s hard work. The Burundi ‘keeper finally found his range with a shot that left Brooke no chance as it sailed on the wind into the top corner from thirty metres.
With minutes remaining, Kyle Eglinton joined the final frenzy as Hahndorf pushed forward but could not grab a second equaliser. Oosh had a shot missing to the right and a late free to the Magpies was flicked just wide before the match was ended.
Despite the loss, it was an encouraging game for the Magpies, matching the undefeated Eagles for the majority of the game in difficult conditions. Best on the day was Oosh, the gladiatorial forward spearheading the Magpie attack and continually putting Burundi under pressure. Norris and Brooke also were exemplary, their defensive efforts curtailing one of the best attacks in the league.
Next week the mighty Hahndorf Magpies will look to build on their form when they visit another team of Eagles, these of the Adelaide Redblue variety.
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