Round 7: USC Lion V Hahndorf

Lion mauls Magpies

USC Lion V Hahndorf

Hahndorf suffered their first defeat of the season following a disappointing second half display, conceding 6 goals to nil against an organised and well-drilled USC Lion side for the 7th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division.

Playing into a stiff breeze, the Magpies fielded a team with Nathaniel Brooke in goal behind a defensive line of Steve Noble, Jon Lynn, Luke Guest and Scott Taylor. The opening ten minutes saw Hahndorf make most of the possession through midfielders Aaron Noble, Leo Santangelo, Jack Farrimond and Dan Holland, linking up with front men Kayne Stubing and Matt Norris.

Despite their early forays forward, Hahndorf could not produce a clear chance on goal and it was USC Lion who broke through, almost against the run of play, to put the hosts up 1-0 after fifteen minutes.

The Magpies responded through Taylor and Stubing, the fleet-footed player dashing into the penalty area and forcing the Lion ‘keeper to beat the shot away. Guest rose to meet the resultant corner kick but could not find the target with his head.

Norris, A.Noble and Farrimond combined to send Santangelo through with a well-weighted pass but the home goalkeeper was up to the task and held Santangelo’s fierce drive. Hahndorf tried again through Stubing, a solo run eluding most but the finish was not as precise and again the Lion ‘keeper was to deny the Magpies.

Lion were beginning to warm to the match and Hahndorf could have been two goals down but for a great save by Brooke, repelling a rasping drive from the home striker. The battle for the midfield was fierce, neither team given much time on the ball but the Magpies failed to capitalise on their pressure during the half. A good build up presented Norris with a chance but the Lion custodian palmed away his effort to leave Hahndorf trailing 1-0 at half time.

The Magpies got off to a poor start in the second half when USC Lion scored their second goal soon after resumption of play, a stray disposal from Brooke returned with interest. Hahndorf almost replied through Stubing, but he stuck his shot over the bar after a fine run and cross from Holland.

Hahndorf pressed forward searching for a goal but found the Lion defence in a miserly mood and the visitors were saved when Lion found the net after a fast break, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Making his return after an injury, Tom Holland was brought on to add impetus to Hahndorf’ effort but this was thwarted by Lion’s 3rd goal, a volley to the corner leaving Brooke no chance.

Hahndorf tried to respond but could not find the breakthrough they desired, the host side determined not to let the Magpies into the match. Pressure from Lion forced their 4th goal, a strong block by Brooke was not cleared and Lion eventually bundled the ball in.

A free kick summed up Hahndorf’s day, the opportunity not finding the target to the frustration of the Hills team. Lion countered with a fast break and their 5th goal as the Magpies continued to make little impression in the attacking third.

Hahndorf persisted however and were unlucky after Norris headed wide after a great cross from D.Holland found the club stalwart in a good position. Lion ended the pain for Hahndorf with a stunning strike from distance, the volley finding the top corner to seal a comprehensive win in which Hahndorf faded during the second half and were largely outplayed.


Reserves

The Magpie Reserves played out a strong, competitive scoreless draw against the 3rd placed USC Lion to maintain second spot in their division.

The Magpies began with Kyle Eglinton, Mike Lewington, Andy Craig and Matt Medley in defence, with James Nicholson donning the gloves. A mixture of youth and experience pervaded the midfield with Max Gordon-Edwards, Chris Sawers, Colin Hibbert and David Grant looking hold the middle ground. Jordan Webber and Jesse Konstantinoff provide a focal point up front and the pair kept the opposition defenders on their guard.

The hosts put Hahndorf under pressure in the first phase of play, trying to make the most of the stiff breeze behind them. The Magpies defence worked hard to shut down their hosts with some timely tackles and defensive blocks as they worked their way into the match. Nicholson made a brilliant save early on to deny Lion a score when they broke through on goal, the custodian snatching the ball from the feet of the advancing forward.

Sawers and Gordon-Edwards found the flanks very rewarding and the Magpies had a great chance when the latter put in a fine cross for Webber to knock on to Konstantinoff, but the striker was off balance when he shot and the ball went wide.

Hahndorf began to make some telling moves forward but were frustrated by a flag-happy linesman who made a few dubious calls for offside. However there was no denying Hahndorf’s intent when Sawers struck a rasping drive from distance that cannoned off the crossbar.

The second half was as combative as the first, the defence of both teams holding sway over the forwards and leaving them with few genuine chances. Lewington and Craig won many of the aerial duels while Eglinton and Medley were sure in their tackles.

Hibbert and Grant continued to battle in the cauldron of midfield while Gordon-Edwards and Sawers found acres of space out wide. The Magpies began to tame the Lion defence and pressed for a goal, bringing on Rupert “the Enforcer” Lindon and Sam Heyward, hoping the injection of fresh legs would tip the match in the visitors favour.

Webber was denied a goal when a Lion arm deflected his volley but the Hahndorf protests held no water with the referee, as the Magpies continued to pin the hosts back in the final twenty minutes. Heyward had a good chance to win it for Hahndorf in the final minutes but could not keep his header down after another great cross from Grant.

In a disciplined display where all players played very well in a hard fought match, among the highlights were Sawers, Webber, Gordon-Edwards, Craig and Lewington.


Super Cs
The Div 4 Super Cs were unlucky in their 3-1 loss to Adelaide Redblue Eagles, equalising soon after the start of the second half but unable to prevent a couple of late goals by the home side.

The Div 5 Cs fared better in a physical encounter, getting over Modbury Jets 3-1, with a fine double strike by John Lawler putting the Magpies in a good frame. An answering goal by Modbury livened up the match before Scott Schubert sealed the win with a clinical finish.

Next week the Hahndorf Reserves host Elizabeth Grove in the Reserve cup and the Div 5 Cs also are at home to Salisbury Villa.