Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Flinders University V Hahndorf

Hahndorf capped off their year with a deserved 2-1 win over Flinders University, the season ending on a high for the Hills team and ensuring their fourth position in the South Australian Amateur Soccer League Third Division.

Hahndorf once again put the combination of Matt Norris and Kayne Stubing up front for the final match, supported by a midfield containing John Lawler, Steve Noble, Jack Farrimond and Ash Oosh. Nathaniel Brooke donned the gloves for the Magpies with Matt Medley, Mike lewington, Lee Stibbs and the wily fox, Wayne Forrester forming a defensive barrier before him.

The opening weekend of spring brought fine weather to the Flinders ground and Hahndorf wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game. Noble, Farrimond Forrester and Lewington presenting a solid spine that the University side had trouble breaking down while Norris and Stubing were putting themselves around in attack.

Hahndorf made several chances to open the scoring; an in swinging free kick by Stibbs causing concern for the hosts and soon after Oosh charged down the wing to cross a dangerous ball that was cleared to the predatory Farrimond, his driving shot just going over the bar.

Stubing showed his creativity with a sharp turn and a quick shot that also just missed the target as Hahndorf made the better opportunities and controlled the pace of the game. Brooke did not see too much of the ball, the Magpie defensive unit keeping shots to a minimum and Flinders best chance resulted in the ball flying over the bar.

In the shadow of half time, Hahndorf had a further chance, Norris not getting enough on his header after a quick free from Forrester and Stibbs nearly caught out the University side.

Hahndorf were forced into a substitution at the break, a niggling injury to Oosh paved the way for David Grant to display his experience and talent. The second half got off to a scrappy start with neither team able to make any meaningful advances, the half-time oranges not producing the cohesive play seen before the break.

However, a piece of Stubing brilliance broke open the game when he created a chance out of nothing, a quick turn and acceleration making space as he entered the penalty area and slotted the ball past the despairing ‘keeper. Soon after the Magpies doubled the advantage through Norris. Receiving the ball in an advanced position, Grant tore open the Flinders defence with an exquisite outside-of-the-boot cross, sending the ball diagonally to the back post. Norris ran in to complete the flowing move, driving his header into the net.

At 2-0 up, Hahndorf piled on the pressure and Stibbs almost added a third when his free kick passed just the wrong side of the post with the University ‘keeper rooted to the spot. With fifteen minutes remaining, the home side came to life when they won and converted a dubious penalty.

The score ignited the match and the intensity lifted with both teams sensing a change of momentum. The Hahndorf defence stood firm however and they brought on the “Black Pearl”, Owen Boyce to give them some impetus for the final minutes.

The visitors turned defence into attack through Stubing, the young forward drawing a sharp save from the Finders ‘keeper. Further pressure put the University side on the back foot and Noble was unlucky to see his effort just go over the target. The Flinders player’s frustrations were evident when Norris was needlessly fouled out wide. The centring free set up Lewnigton but he could not keep his powerful drive low enough to trouble the score sheet just before the final whistle called an end to the season.

Man of the Match was Noble, an industrious worker and fierce tackler; the experienced player has added some bite to the midfield this year. Also putting fine performances were Norris and Stubing, the two developing into a formidable strike force that Hahndorf will look to cultivate next year. The senior team finished the season entrenched in fourth position, but showing encouraging signs for coach Steve Handley’s development plans for next season.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves fought out a battling 1-1 draw to bring their season to conclusion, rounding out a good year for the Magpies as they finished in fifth spot.

Lacking a starting ‘keeper, the reserves turned to Luke Jones to shore up the position between the posts. After his great defensive duties last match, Rupert Lindon anchored the defence with Andy Craig, the full back positions filled by Ben “Beninho” Wells and “the Italian Maestro”, Edmondo Palombo. Kyle Eglinton, Tyrone Blunt, Gary Ledson and the Black Pearl, Owen Boyce, patrolled the midfield with strikers Chris Hyde and Brendan Kilpatrick looking to score.

The first half was a fairly even affair, both teams using the wide pitch to advantage. Hahndorf weathered some early Flinders possession, a reasonable breeze aiding the home side as they looked to use their quick forwards to get behind the Hahndorf defence.

Flinders found the free kicks going their way and had a good opportunity to open the scoring when they got an indirect free kick ten metres from goal. The wall charged down the shot however and the Magpies set about working the ball into attack.

Ledson, Blunt and Boyce combined to get Hahndorf into some attacking positions but the Flinders defence prevented any meaningful shots getting on target. Several corners presented Hahndorf with scoring opportunities, but awkward bounces and wayward shots kept the score sheet clean.

However, it did not remain that way for long, when a poorly cleared ball from Hahndorf was put back into the middle and a towering Flinders header put the ball in the net. Hahndorf responded with some nice flowing moves, but found their indecision around the penalty area allowed the hosts to regroup and defend in numbers.

After the half time break, Hahndorf lifted the intensity and went close to scoring several times. Hyde had a chance in the near post but lacked a firm touch to guide it past the ‘keeper and Blunt sent in numerous long throws that troubled the defence.

Sam Gowen entered the game in defence and Wells pushed forward as Hahndorf sought the equaliser. The hard work of the Magpies eventually paid off after a nice build up, “Beninho” Wells setting Ledson up with an inspired back-heel that opened up the defence. Ledson struck his shot true and beat the keeper to restore parity.

Hahndorf almost went ahead two minutes later when Blunt hit the post with his header as the Magpies went searching for a winner. Flinders replied with a couple of chances of their own but failed to find the target and Jones made some timely interceptions. Lindon was also firm in defence as Hahndorf rallied to find a second goal.

The Magpies continued to push forward through Wells, Ledson, Blunt and Hyde and were nearly rewarded when a shot rolled along the crossbar before being cleared. In the final minute, a long Blunt throw was flicked on by Craig before Hyde found the ‘keeper with a sharp headed effort.

All players put in a solid performance for the final match with more than a few able to claim best-on-ground honours. However, Player of the match was Lindon, putting another fine game in the heart of defence with the goal scorer Ledson close behind. Blunt was also prominent and Jones too had a good match after being put in a difficult and unfamiliar position at short notice.

The match completed a good season for the Reserves as they finished fifth place and also unearthed a few good players who could develop into first team regulars within a few years.