For the 16th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League Third division, Hahndorf travelled to the western suburbs in a clash with title contenders Adelaide Cougars. In somewhat trying conditions, the hard fought match ended in a late 1-1 draw and a sharing of the points.
The Magpies started with young tearaway Kayne Stubing and the inspirational Matt Norris as focal points in attack with midfield support from John Lawler, Steve Noble, Jack Farrimond and David Grant. Goal custodian Mark McGrath oversaw a defensive unit of Lee Stibbs, Andy Craig, Matt Medley and the wily fox Wayne Forrester.
A stiff breeze going diagonally across the ground aided the home team in the first half and they tried to take advantage by keeping Hahndorf on the back foot. The hard, bumpy ground also added an extra dimension but Forrester marshalled the defence well and the Magpies built their game through the midfield to release Norris and Stubing.
The Cougars were liberal with their shooting but few shots worried McGrath as most were well over or wide of goal and those on target were covered by the ‘keeper’s sure hands. His nearest threat came from his team mate, Forrester guiding a header just wide of the post.
Hahndorf also had their chances, with both Norris and Stubing almost getting a score on the board. Norris fired over from a good position and Stubing beat the Cougars’ ‘keeper to a through ball but poked it just wide of the post to keep the hosts on their toes.
Grant and Lawler started to get into the match with a few telling touches and crosses as the Magpies began to find their way through the Cougars defence. Noble and Farrimond drove the midfield and their industrious work rate blunted the Cougars drive.
After half time, Hahndorf showed more endeavour and the game opened up as the home side pressed forward to find a goal. Stibbs, Craig and Medley battled hard to keep the Cougars goalless in combination with Forrester and McGrath. The Magpies looked to release Stubing and Norris through Noble and Grant, with the midfield becoming highly contestable as both sides found it difficult to break down the opposing defence.
However, a fine ball from Noble split the Cougars defenders and sent Norris in at goal. Sizing up the opportunity, the big forward drew the Cougar ‘keeper out before slotting the ball into the back of the net to Hahndorf’s elation. At 1-0 down with fifteen minutes remaining, the Cougars threw everything at the Hills side, bringing on fresh players to run at the Magpie defence.
Hahndorf were forced to make their own substitution, bringing on Brendan Kilpatrick for the injured goal hero, Norris. The Magpies continued to present a solid defence in the final stages, but were aware a mistake would be costly
The Cougars looked to have scored but a great save by McGrath kept the ball out, parrying it close to goal. Forrester stepped in to clear the dangerous ball off the line as the Cougars desperately tried to get to the loose ball. Minutes from full time the Cougars equalised, a defensive header falling to the home side and they manage to work it into the box before the leagues top scorer found the net from ten metres.
It was a disappointing end to the match for the Hahndorf Magpies who had battled hard all game and really taken it to the second-placed Cougars. In a match where all players stood firm, best on the day was McGrath, with notable contributions from Norris and Forrester.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves played out a solid first half before a fracas reduced the match to a farce, the visitors eventually conceding five goals in an ill-tempered game.
Hahndorf carried a few injuries and absentees into the game and put out a good combination that had some players in unfamiliar roles. Goalkeeper James Nicholson commanded a young defence of Josh Watson, Ben Wells, Rupert Lindon and Sam Gowen. Through the midfield the Magpies had Kyle Eglinton, Kieran Evans, Gary Ledson and the Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palombo to control the Hahndorf game with twin strikers Chris Hyde and Brendan Kilpatrick looking to knock a few goals in.
The Magpies got off to a disastrous start when the Cougars scored in the opening minutes of the match. An innocuous looking free kick was taken by the wind and a savage bounce managed to get the ball past Nicholson to put Hahndorf on the back foot early on.
Hahndorf steadied themselves and began to put their passes together, working into the wind and finding their rhythm. Watson, Wells and Hyde combined to get Kilpatrick into space and he released Eglinton down the flank. Eglinton cut inside to open up the angle but shot wide under pressure from the Cougar defence.
Hyde had a header go wide from an early cross by Watson as the Magpies started to get on an even footing with their opponents. The play went end to end with neither side seriously threatening the goal and the match entered half time with the Cougars up 1-0.
After half time, the intensity increased and the referee did not pick up a few off the ball incidents. This drew to a head minutes later when a corner saw some pushing and shoving that descended into an ugly melee that the referee took some time to calm down.
Both teams left the pitch and the referee consulted team officials before sending off two players from each side, appearing to pick them out at random. Play resumed in the farcical situation with the main instigators still on the pitch and both teams struggling to deal with the large open spaces vacated by the departing players.
Hahndorf tried to take the game up to the hosts and really should have scored, Palombo and Ledson spurning good opportunities. The Cougars were to eventually make the most of the situation, putting a further four goals in a match that had dwindling relevance for the visitors.
The Hahndorf Magpies have a week off before travelling down to Flinders University for their final match of the season on the 5th of September.
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