Adelaide Asteras V Hahndorf Magpies
The Hahndorf Reserves travelled to Flinders Park to take on Adelaide Asteras in the 3rd round of the Reserve cup, a slew of second half goals putting the Magpies into the quarter finals with a convincing 6-3 win.
Hahndorf kicked off into the wind in the opening stanza with forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Leo Santangelo immediately on the attack with good support from Dan Hermel and Tom Holland. Fellow midfielders Chris Sawers and Ben "Beninho” Wells opened up the right flank as the Magpies enjoyed a positive start, testing the Asteras defence from the outset.
The host side soon showed their game plan, their goalkeeper repeatedly hoisting the ball deep into Hahndorf’s half on the small and extremely bumpy pitch. Hahndorf’s defenders, Kieran Guest, Mike Lewington, Andy Craig and consummate sweeper Bob Gordon-Edwards were equal to the task and gave the Asteras forwards few chances on Mark McGrath’s goal.
The Magpies concentrated on breaking down the home teams resolve and several times went close, Konstantinoff having the best chance with a header just over the bar after a fine corner from Holland. Santangelo, Hermel and Holland all had good opportunities but Hahndorf could not find the decisive strike.
Asteras’ direct approach almost brought the first goal but the post came to the Magpies’ rescue after the home forward managed to get hold a long ball and shot from 20 metres. Hahhndorf regrouped and hit back with a series of attacks, eventually getting a goal through Sawers’ courageous efforts, nipping in and winning a fifty-fifty ball from the ‘keeper and bundling it into goal. The Magpies applied further pressure to the Asteras goal but could not add to Sawers’ strike before the referee signalled the end of the half.
The second half burst back into life soon after the restart, Holland and Hermel combining before the latter sent a searching cross to the far post where Sawers was on hand to head in his, and Hahndorf’s, second goal. Maintaining an attacking drive the Magpies looked for more goals through Hermel, Santangelo and Konstantinoff, exploiting Asteras’ lack of pace and combining well with Holland and Sawers
The Magpies kept up the pressure through their midfield, using all of the meagre width on offer to get behind the Asteras defence. Wells sent Sawers a fine pass out wide and the speedy midfielder swept past the full back and drew towards goal before centring for Konstantinoff. The Magpie forward pounced on the ball and found the net with the ‘keeper well out of position.
At 3-0 up, Hahndorf stayed in control of the match, pushing forward and holding Asteras to few opportunities. Gordon-Edwards, Guest, Craig and Lewington reduced the hosts to long shots that passed high or wide with none giving Mcgrath any real threat. However, to their credit Asteras persisted and pulled a goal back. A determined run by an Asteras forward resulted in a shot at goal, the angled ball deceiving McGrath before finding the net.
The Magpies answered the challenge almost immediately with goal of the day. Guest gained possession just on halfway and sent a searing shot across the park, catching out the Asteras ‘keeper to arrow the ball into the top far corner of goal. Despite an element of luck, it was a stunning 40-metre strike to restore the Magpies three-goal buffer.
Asteras continued to battle and put in their second score with about 20 minutes remaining, the goal raising hopes of a comeback by the home side. But Hahndorf had other ideas and after bringing on Stuart Thomas, the Magpies played their way into the forward line with some neat exchanges. The ball fell to Holland and with a deft move he created an opening to slot the goal in past the ‘keeper to make the score 5-2.
Again Asteras responded to the Magpies three goal lead with a goal of their own, McGrath unable to hold a difficult shot and the Asteras player putting in the rebound. Hahndorf steadied themselves and opened the play down the flank with Holland, Santangelo and Hermel, playing some nice triangles. With minutes remaining, Hahndorf’s measured approach released Santangelo and he found space on the edge of the area to slot in the final goal past the Asteras defence.
The 6-3 result sees the Magpies advance to the quarterfinals of the Cup, the win just reward for a great team effort with all players putting in valuable contributions throughout the match.
Super Cs
The Div 5 Cs took on league leaders Cove in Saturday’s fixture, the Magpies putting in a good effort but eventually conceding 6-1 in a somewhat flattering score for the home side. Max Gordon-Edwards scored a stunning goal for the Hahndorf team and the Magpies also had another goal disallowed in an encouraging outing by the young side.
Next week the Hahndorf Magpies host the Adelaide Monarchs at the Pine Avenue Arena with the early kick off seeing the Div 5 Cs meeting the Cove in consecutive weeks due to a strange twist of the fixtures. The Div 4 Cs are hosting Hazara at Mylor Oval for the 3pm kickoff.
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