Round 8: Hahndorf V Adelaide Pumas

Hahndorf V Adelaide Pumas

In the eighth round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division, Hahndorf put in a convincing display to win 3-0 and account for title challengers, the Adelaide Pumas.

Both teams started briskly, the Magpies fielding an experienced defensive line with Jon Lynn, Matt Norris, Steve Noble and Luke Guest in front of custodian Nathaniel Brooke.

The Pumas tested Hahndorf early but were unable to make any telling opportunities as the Magpies closed them down. Midfielders Dan Hermel, Jack Farrimond, Aaron Noble and Dan Holland battled hard to give Hahndorf possession and bring forwards Kayne Stubing and Leo Santangelo into play.

The pressure built up on the Pumas and Hahndorf found a way through with Hermel to open the scoring. The fleet-footed winger worked behind the defence and cut the ball back into goal after drawing out the ’keeper.

The midfield cauldron provided most of the action and several rash challenges drew cautions to both teams. Hahndorf pressed forward and Holland forced the goalkeeper into a save and soon after Hermel also caused consternation to the visitors with a fine effort.

Brooke too was called into action as the Pumas made a good chance, the big Magpie ‘keeper diving at full stretch to stop a shot from the edge of the area. The match saw a few more attacking moves by Hahndorf but no-one added to the score line before half time arrived.

An even first ten minutes began the second stanza before either team could manage a telling attack, Hahndorf wasting a free kick from a promising position. The midfield again provided the most interest with Farrimond and Holland particularly industrious and their endeavour helped the Magpies gain a series of corners.

Hahndorf tried with several headers at goal but the ball could not be forced over the line and finally the Pumas ‘keeper claimed the ball after a fourth attempt. A second avenue opened up through Holland and Santangelo and the latter was within centimetres of connecting with the centring pass.

The Magpie backline was holding its own and looked assured with their passing out of defence, Norris and Guest twin towers of strength in the spine. Lynn started an attack from deep, setting A Noble off down the flank and he found Santangelo with a piercing pass. The tall forward took the ball in his stride but went narrowly wide with his shot.

Tom Holland entered the match as the Magpies gained more possession, Stubing going wide after a fine pass from the substitute. T Holland was to go one better soon after, winning a fifty-fifty through ball to run in on goal before tucking it away for Hahndorf’s second score.

The score gave Hahndorf opportunity to bring on Scott Taylor and for the referee to send off a Pumas player for dissent. Hahndorf took advantage with their third strike, Stubing heading at the back post after some skilful approach play by the Magpies.

Hermel could have made it more but his turn and shot passed the wrong side of the post. With the minutes remaining dwindling, the visitors pressed for an answering goal. They could have scored but Farrimond cleared a Pumas’ header off the line and the rebound was put over the bar to preserve Hahndorf’s clean sheet.

In a fine team performance, best on the day was Leo Santangelo, the forward a constant threat in the forward half with Dan Hermel and Luke Guest also putting in excellent games.


Reserves
A persistent Hahndorf effort was rewarded with a fine 5-1 win over the Adelaide Pumas to keep the Magpies in second spot in the league.

Mark McGrath started in goal with Matt Medley, Mike Lewington, Andy Craig and Rupert “the Enforcer” Lindon providing the defensive duties. Kyle Eglinton, Dave Grant, Chris Sawers and Max Gordon-Edwards worked the midfield engine room as the match got off to a fairly even first twenty minutes.

The Magpies played their way up the ground and pushed the ball around well, Gordon-Edwards and Eglinton eager to use the space out wide. The approach brought the reward, the defence switching play along the back to release Eglinton. An accurate ball to forward Sam Heyward was controlled and he drilled it inside the near post for the opening goal.

The Pumas didn’t take the setback lying down and McGrath made a couple of fine saves before the visitors struck the equaliser. An early cross was met by the Pumas forward and he stuck it past the exposed McGrath for 1-1. Hahndorf responded well but could not find a way to goal despite having the majority of possession before half time.

Colin Hibbert entered the match after half time and the Magpies pressed forward looking for more goals. Jordan Webber was making an impact up front with his bullocking runs and his hard work was to pay off with Hahndorf’s second goal, the young striker collecting a pass from out wide and hammering a shot past the Pumas ‘keeper.

More was to come from the exciting forward when a Grant free kick found its way to the back post and Webber collected the loose ball. Turning sharply, he belted the ball to the far corner of the net from the proverbial impossible angle as Hahndorf moved further ahead.

The Magpies began to control the tempo of the match and kept the Pumas to few chances and Ben “Beninho” Wells entered the fray. Some niggle started to creep into the game and the Pumas lost a player for striking out at a Magpie and giving Hahndorf a free on the edge of the area. The home team took the opportunity to bring on John Lawler and he could have scored with his first touch, striking at goal but only finding the post from close in.

He was to make amends minutes later, scoring with his second touch, heading across goal from a well-struck corner kick. Further petulance from the visitors reduced their numbers again and Hahndorf exploited the open spaces afforded them. Several Magpie chances went begging before Gordn-Edwards struck a thunderbolt from distance that flew like a missile past the beleaguered Pumas’ ‘keeper.

Hahndorf switched off a little in the final minutes and the Pumas nearly made them pay but the Magpies regained their composure to consolidate the 5-1. Best on the day was Max Gordon-Edwards with a great performance in the midfield and a fine goal. Also with outstanding efforts were Kyle Eglinton and Jordan Webber, both causing havoc in the Pumas half.


Super Cs
The Div 4 Cs suffered some late absences and a ten man Magpie outfit were no match for the Adelaide University side, going down 7-1 at the Mylor ground.

The Div 5 Cs put in a solid performance in a tight match but were undone by a couple of defensive mix-ups, the Adelaide University taking advantage to put in two goals and cancel out a Sam Wood strike.

Next week the Hahndorf firsts and Reserves are again at their Pine Avenue home, hosting Murray Bridge while the Div 5 Cs play earlier in the day hosting local rivals Stirling. The Div 4 Cs take on Old Ignatians at Mylor in the 3pm kick off.