Round 10: ACU Falcons V Hahndorf

ACU Falcons V Hahndorf
For the 10th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division, Hahndorf travelled down to the Falcons ground and fought out an entertaining draw, both teams failing to capitalise on the many chances they created.

The Magpies and Falcons began in brisk fashion, each searching for a quick goal before the game settled. Hahndorf started Mark McGrath in goal with Jon Lynn, Matt Norris, Scott Taylor and Luke Guest providing defensive cover. The experienced foursome negated the opening salvos from the Falcons, using the width to bring the midfield into play.

Dan and Tom Holland joined Jack Farrimond and Steve Noble to give Hahndorf its midfield drive and work the ball to forwards Dan Hermel and Leo Santangelo. As both teams tested the defences of their opponents, it was the Falcons who had the first good opportunity after twenty minutes.

The Falcons held the ball in the penalty area after a corner and it was eventually smashed at goal, but unfortunately for the hosts, McGrath was in good position able to deflect the point blank shot. McGrath was called into action again soon after as the Falcons almost broke through, the Magpie ‘keeper making a sharp save with his foot and then diving to cover a second shot as it just passed wide of the post.

Hahndorf gained their first clear effort on goal through Hermel, the striker chesting down a cross in the area before hitting his shot at the Falcons’ goalkeeper. Santangelo set Hermel up with a second chance after skipping past his marker but the well-struck shot went wide.

The Falcons were more than holding their own and arguably had created the better chances during the first half. The Hahndorf defence remained vigilant and often found an outlet through Taylor, the left-sided player turning defence into attack with some fine interceptions and incisive passing. Farrimond and Noble were industrious in the middle, running the midfield engine room with their closing down and distribution.
Hahndorf should have opened the scoring just before the end of the half after some good play set up T.Holland with a great chance, but he uncharacteristically dragged his shot just wide of the goal.

The ACU Falcons almost got off to a great start in the second term and really should have scored, a shot cannoning off the underside of the crossbar before McGrath recovered the loose ball. The Magpies answered with Guest getting into as good position to centre to Hermel but his header went wide of the mark.

The match started to open up as both teams used to wide pitch to advantage, the large spaces encouraging expansive play at both ends but neither side were able to make it count. With 30 minutes remaining, Hahndorf brought on Chris Sawers as the open play continued.

Sawers worked his way into the game and went close with a sharp effort but the Falcon ‘keeper made a good save. The Falcons responded with a fine shot, McGrath managing to keep the score blank with a great tip over the bar. D.Holland regained possession for the Magpies and put Santangelo in on goal and his shot was blocked.

Hahndorf increased the tempo and maintained their attack through Hermel, the flighty striker sailing down the flank and putting in a great cross to Sawers at the back post. Sawers met the ball well but his header was somehow kept out by the Falcons’’keeper with a desperate save. Hermel then went himself; driving in from the wing he drew the Falcons’ defenders and with the angle narrowing, hit the side netting.

Hahndorf kept up the pressure with D.Holland going close with two successive free kicks just out from the penalty area. More desperate defending by the Falcons blocked Santangelo’s shot after he was set up a by a neat back heel from Sawers.

The Falcons relieved the pressure with a good chance of their own before Hahndorf set up camp in the Falcons half of the pitch in the final ten minutes. The Magpies continued to create openings but could not find the back of the net, Santangelo, Hermel and D.Holland all having their shots denied. With the time ebbing away, the Magpies threw Norris forward but still a score eluded Hahndorf, Hermel having the final chance but finding the Falcons’ ‘keeper a firm obstacle till the end.

Best on the day was Mark McGrath with some excellent glove work to keep a clean sheet. Good support came from Jack Farrimond and Steve Noble, pair carrying much of the heavy work of the midfield cauldron.


Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves responded with composure to a lucky strike by the Falcons to completely dominate the second half and triumph 6-1 by the final whistle.

Starting with Nathaniel Brooke in goal, the Magpies fielded Sam Heyward up front with Jordan Webber and the two put the Falcons on the defensive from the outset. Hahndorf’s midfield of Kyle Eglinton, David Grant, Chris Sawers and Max Gordon-Edwards used the wide pitch to stretch the Falcons. The host side made a few early forays forward but met strong resistance in the form of Matt Medley, Andy Craig, Michael Lewington and Rupert “the Enforcer” Lindon.

Hahndorf dominated possession but found their shooting wayward, repeatedly getting in good positions but unable to find the clinical strike. The Falcons seemed willing to retreat to the edge of the penalty area and defend in numbers and look for a counter attack.

After a fruitless twenty minutes of attacking pressure, the Magpies went behind when the Falcons scored against the run of play. A quick break down the flank gave the Falcon winger the opportunity to cross and the ball sailed unerringly to the back post to the joy of the hosts.

Hahndorf answered with more possession, Eglinton and Sawers making the most of the space out wide to keep the Falcon defence under stress. Grant made a good run into the box and had a penalty claim denied as the Magpies continued their errant shooting. The relentless attack eventually paid dividends five minutes from the break when Sawers gathered the ball well and neatly evaded a defender to rifle a true strike into the corner of the net.

Resuming the second half with the same attacking intent, Hahndorf added their second soon after the restart. Gordon-Edwards finding Sawers with an accurate pass and the marksman repeated his earlier shot to give Hahndorf the lead. The Magpies continued to build from the back, Lewington and Lindon winning the Falcon through balls, the latter instrumental in pushing the Magpies into attacking positions.

Hahndorf went further ahead through Webber, latching on to a piercing pass from deep by Sawers, the bustling forward stepped around the onrushing ‘keeper to tuck away a fine goal. With the Magpies in control of the match, they increased the pressure by bringing on Alex Chapman, Jesse Konstantinoff and Luke Jones and the trio immediately got into the match.

Gordon-Edwards put his name on the score sheet with a searching run from wide to open up the goal a fire a shot to the near post and elude the Falcons’ custodian. Further insult was added to the hosts when the Falcons put in an own goal. A quick corner by the Magpies caught out the Falcons and Chapmans centring ball was turned into the top corner of goal net by one of their own.

Chapman and Gordon-Edwards were tormenting the defence on the flank, their interplay and passing opening the play and creating opportunities and it was Gordon-Edwards who rounded out the scoring with a fine drive from the edge of the area for a final score of 6-1.

In a convincing display, best on the day was Rupert Lindon, who won plenty of the ball and was precise with his distribution. Also catching the votes were Max Gordon-Edwards and Chris Sawers, both contributing a brace of goals and dominating much of the midfield play.

Super Cs
The Div 4 Cs stunned Brahma Lodge with a 2-1 win to pick up their first points of the season, a richly deserved result for the team in a tough division. The Div 5 Cs fought out a scoreless draw against Salisbury Villa, despite the Magpies monopolising possession, they were unable to convert any of their chances.

Next week the Hahndorf Reserves visit Adelaide Asteras for a Sunday match in the 3rd round of the cup. The Div 4 Super Cs are in action against the Cove on Saturday at Hallett Cove for a 11.30 kick off.