Round 6: Hahndorf V Mt Barker

Hahndorf reigns over Mt Barker

Hahndorf Magpies V Mount Barker Crusaders

A torrent of goals brightened up a rainy day as Hahndorf steamrolled Mount Barker 10-0 to maintain their title challenge in the 6th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd division.

Hahndorf got off to a sparkling start, pinning their opponents back from the opening whistle with Aaron Noble, Dan Holland, Jack Farrimond and Kayne Stubing taking charge of the midfield. The talented quartet supplied forwards Leo Santangelo and Matt Norris with plenty of the ball, the latter making his 100th appearance for the club.

The large crowd didn’t have to wait long before Hahndorf got on the scoreboard, defender Scott Taylor showing his striking prowess with rifling shot from the edge of the box after ten minutes. Soon after, Stubing doubled the advantage with a blistering shot that rocketed into the roof of the net, the Magpies eager to dominate derby encounter.

Mt Barker responded with some attacking moves but were unable to pierce the defences of Jon Lynn, Steve Noble, Luke Guest and Taylor. Hahndorf custodian Nathaniel Brooke was rarely troubled but the greasy surface made shots on target a tricky proposition, the ‘keeper getting his big frame behind any of the Crusaders’ efforts.

The third goal arrived via A Noble, the sprightly midfielder having a day out on the wing. Cutting into the box he eluded the Mt Barker defender before slotting the ball into the corner of goal.

Mt Barker tried to get into the match but Farrimond and Lynn were reading the play with authority and neutralised any threats. The visitors’ best chance occurred when a stray disposal by Brooke gave Mt Barker a glimpse of goal but the effort was blazed over the bar.

Hahndorf rounded out the half with their 4th goal, Stubing atoning for an earlier miss with his second after A Noble had done all the hard work to set up the prolific scorer with the simplest of tap-ins.

The second half brought further rain and further pain for Mt Barker as Hahndorf, like the weather, showed no signs of letting up. Farrimond was dominating the centre and released A Noble. The prodigiously talented youngster struck a sweet shot from 30 metres, the ball going over the stranded Mt Barker ‘keeper and finding the net with possibly the goal of the day

Holland highlighted his exemplary game with the Magpies’ 6th, a curled free kick to the top corner as Hahndorf piled on the misery for Mt Barker. The visitors then had a chance but the header went wide to add to their frustration.

Norris had been in the action all match but could not find the back of the net, several times he was denied by the overworked Mt Barker keeper, one a great double save from close in. Working his way back into fitness after a sojourn with Paris Saint-Germain, Norris was replaced by David Grant with the Magpies well on top.

A Magpie short corner brought S Noble in to the attacking play. The experienced defender crossed to the penalty area hotspot and the ball was poked in by Stubing to bring up his hat-trick. An 8th arrived soon after, Grant beating the offside trap to race through on goal and cleanly chip past the advancing ‘keeper, his tumbling celebration ending in a semi-reclined pose to the cheers of the crowd.

Mt Barker almost grabbed a consolation goal but Brooke was cat-like in his acrobatic save, leaping diagonally to tip the well struck shot over the bar and maintain a clean sheet.

Santangelo decided to get on the scoreboard late in the match, taking on a defender and blasting a shot from the edge of the box. The rout was completed minutes from full time when a through ball put no less than four Magpies in on goal. Abandoned by his teammates, the Mt Barker ‘keeper did well to deny Holland’s shot but the rebound fell to Santangelo and he slotted the ball away.

Best on the day was the industrious Jack Farrimond, the driving force of the midfield engine room with an outstanding match. Dan Holland and Aaron Noble also had very productive games to complete Hahndorf’s domination of the midfield.



Reserves

After an entertaining and at times frustrating battle, the Hahndorf Reserves left it late in the game before snatching a 1-0 victory over their local rivals, Mount Barker.

With James Nicholson in goal, Hahndorf selected a flexible defensive line-up comprising of Matt Medley, Andy Craig, Mike Lewington and Rupert ‘the Enforcer’ Lindon. The initial ten minutes saw Mt Barker take the game to the host team and the Hahndorf back line worked hard to prevent any meaningful shots on goal.

Ben ‘Beninho’ Wells, Jordan Webber, Colin Hibbert and Chris Sawers brought the midfield into play as the hosts began to gain more possession. Forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Max Gordon-Edwards started to find openings in the oppositions defence but the Magpies were largely inaccurate in front of goal.

Several opportunities from corners went begging as Hahndorf had trouble finding the target. Mt Barker also created some openings but Craig, Lindon and Lewinton were resolute in their defence, winning most of the aerial battles and getting in some well timed tackles.

Sawers and Wells provided wide options and the Magpies moved the ball well into the attacking third of the pitch. Many times Hahndorf had trouble finding the right ball to get the opening goal and shots from Konstantinoff, Gordon-Edwards, Webber and Hibbert went astray.

A persistent rain began the second half and the match swung in Hahndorf’s favour when a Mt Barker player was sent off after gaining a second yellow card, a somewhat theatrical collapse in the penalty area not fooling the referee. However, despite the numerical advantage, the Magpies were wasteful with possession and continued to pepper the Mt Barker goal for no reward.

Kyle Eglinton and David Grant entered the fray as Hahndorf pinned the visitors back repeatedly but were not able to penetrate the overworked Mt Barker defence. The Hahndorf defence remained alert to the threat of a counter attack goal with the slick pitch conditions ready to punish a stray pass or missed tackle.

With five minutes remaining, Hahdorf finally got the winning goal after some persistent pressure in the Mt Barker half. Sawers gave a quick throw to Craig who hit a low centring ball to Konstantinoff. Working hard, a quick exchange with Eglinton put Konstantinoff in space and he stuck a fine shot to leave the ‘keeper with no chance and sent the Magpies into frenzied celebration.

Hahndorf held on for the remaining time and should have added a second but for some more errant shots and Mt Barker’s dogged defending. Best for Hahndorf were Craig, Lewington and Lindon, the trio holding Mt Barker to few genuine chances and providing a stable base for the Magpies to launch into attack.


Super Cs

The Div 5 Super Cs started the day off well for Hahndorf, with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over the Sturt Marion Thunder.

Scott Schubert put the Magpies in the lead within five minutes, a fine strike finding the corner of goal for the only score of the mostly even first half.

Hahndorf sparked into life in the second, with a goal to John Lawler before Sturt Marion answered to make it 2-1. The Magpies responded through Luke Jones, Sam Wood and Schubert with his second before Stuart Thomas rounded out the scoring with a trademark header.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies travel to Grange to challenge the second placed USC Lion with the Super Cs 5th Div team visiting the Modbury Jets. The Div 4 Cs are also at Grange, against the Redblue Eagles.