Round 2: Monarchs V Hahndorf

Monarchs V Hahndorf

For the second round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd division, Hahndorf and the Monarchs put on an entertaining display in difficult conditions, culminating in a 2-2 draw.

The Hahndorf Magpies started the match well, playing the ball on the ground and pushing into a strong wind in the first half. Hahndorf built from the back with Matt Norris, Luke Guest and Martin Busch finding their midfield counterparts in Max Edwards, Steve Noble Jack Farrimond, Callum Graham and Aaron Noble.

In the opening twenty minutes, the Magpies made most of the play, Busch and S.Noble finding Edwards and A.Noble out wide with Graham and Leo Santangelo looking to open up the Monarchs defence. Striker Kayne Stubing kept the Monarchs on alert as Hahndorf held possession in the forward half of the wide pitch, however the visitors could not get a serious shot on goal.

The Monarchs pushed forward when they could and a sharp move almost brought the opening goal but good positioning by Hahndorf custodian Mark McGrath saw the danger diffused. Graham then went close for the Magpies after S.Noble put the playmaker through in a good position.

The Monarchs suddenly had the opening goal, somewhat against the run of play, a quick break and a lucky bounce put the Monarchs’ forward in behind the defence. He closed in on goal and neatly found the corner of the goal with McGrath advancing.

The Magpies hit back soon after, a series of attacks putting the hosts on the back foot. A free kick by S.Noble put the Monarchs in disarray, the ball unable to be cleared from the penalty area and Stubing stepped up to slot in through traffic.

The game then opened up with both teams looking to score before half time. The Monarchs went closest, a surging run saw the home forward go past McGrath and he looked score with the goal open but Busch made a desperate dash to clear off the line.

When the teams emerged from half time it was the hosts who seized the initiative, hitting the post and then putting in their second goal, a scramble in the area giving the Monarchs the lead after having multiple shots blocked by the Hahndorf defence.

The wind and occasional shower affected the visitors more and they began to waste their possession, playing narrowly and not finding space on the expansive pitch. It was a frustrating period of play for the Magpies and was not helped by some interesting decisions by the referee, his theatrical style amusing a few observers on the sideline.

Hahndorf pressed forward and brought on David Grant for Guest as the visitors went searching for the equaliser. Santangelo went close with a rebound after Grant had a shot blocked as Hahndorf struggled to get a clear strike on goal.

Chris Sawers entered the match as the Magpies found some form late on, pressing the visitors back and eventually their pressure brought the equaliser. Graham curled in a dangerous ball and Norris rose from the throng to head past the Monarchs’ ‘keeper.

With the momentum turning for Hahndorf, they made their last substitution, Tom Holland brought on for the last ten minutes. The move looked to have paid off when Holland scored after A. Noble opened up the Monarchs, sending in a fine cross. However a dubious offside flag disallowed the goal despite Holland arriving late to the ball.

Hahndorf kept up the pressure and may have snatched it at the death but a free kick failed to get the desired result and the match ended with the points being shared.

Man of the match was Busch, once again the big defender was instrumental in denying the Monarchs many opportunities. He was well aided by Norris, the club stalwart a solid pillar at he back and getting on the score sheet with an important goal. A.Noble also put in a fine display, running hard all day and heavily involved during the first half.



Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves put on a solid effort to triumph over the Monarchs, three second half goals giving the Magpies full points for the day.

Defending against the stiff wind in the opening half, Hahndorf stood strong in the face of the long ball game employed by the hosts. Nathaniel Brooke commanded his goal area with Matt Medley, Andy Craig and the reliable Jon Lynn keeping the hosts to few opportunities.

The midfield moved into gear with Jordan Webber, Gary Ledson, Mike “the Wanderer” Lewington, Colin Hibbert and Kyle Eglinton using the width well. Chris Hyde and Tom Holland provided a focus up front as the Magpies searched for the opening goal.

Numerous forays forward brought no reward but the visitors were unlucky not to have a penalty when Ledson was upended in the area and Hyde pushed the follow up wide of goal.

It was one of several clear chances the Magpies spurned in the half and they really should have been two or three goals up. Holland and Eglinton combined well to set up Hibbert, his rasping drive unable to be held by the Monarchs custodian but again the rebound went astray.

A stinging shower made the surface slippery and both teams made mistakes with the wind an extra hurdle to contend with, however it was probably Hahndorf who were happier at half time.

Continued pressure in the second half brought Hahndorf reward within five minutes, scoring from a corner by Hibbert, the delivery deceiving the ’keeper and leaving Hyde with a simple headed goal.

Owen “the Black Pearl” Boyce replaced Craig, as Hahndorf looked to double their advantage. The midfield began to take control of the match and it was only some over hit passes that prevented further efforts on goal.

However, the pressure forced a second, with Webber breaking free and beating a couple of defenders before slotting into the net with a fine finish. Holland and Hibbert had chances soon after, both forcing good saves from the Monarchs’ ‘keeper. The pressure was telling on the custodian, and he was clearly irritated by the large presence of Lewington at corners.

Hahndorf were steady in defence, the Monarchs main threat unable to keep his shots down when it counted and Lynn, Eglinton and Medley had many of the attacks under control.

Hahndorf sealed the points with twenty minutes remaining, a good build up by the Magpies releasing Hibbert on the right. He bore down on goal and produced an exquisite chip into the corner of the goal and left the ’keeper grasping at air.

Edmondo “the Italian Maestro” Palombo entered the match and Hahndorf continued to dominate proceedings, producing some fine moves. The Magpies moved the ball from defence to attack with a series of passes, giving Holland the chance to make it four, but the Monarchs’ ‘keeper made a great save from the goal-bound shot.

Best on the day was Lynn, a solid performance in defence keeping the Monarchs to few real chances, with Webber also putting in a fine effort over the day. Hibbert rounded out the top three with a good display, his strike imitated by Nani during United’s 3-1 defeat of Tottenham.

In other results, the Division 4 Cs found the opposition too much, going down 6-1 to hosts Hazara.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are at their Pine Avenue home hosting Flinders, with the Division 5 Cs taking on BOSA in the early fixture. The Division 4 Cs are taking on Flinders Uni at Mylor.