Hahndorf V Adelaide Monarchs
The Hahndorf Magpies returned to the top of the 3rd Division of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League with a hard fought 2-1 win over the Adelaide Monarchs.
The top of the table clash started well for the home team, the Hahndorf midfield of Dan Hermel, Jack Farrimond, Chris Sawers and Aaron Noble looking to get forwards Leo Santangelo and Tom Holland into goal scoring positions. Mark McGrath presided over defenders Jon Lynn, Scott Taylor, Matt Norris and Steve Noble as the Magpies took the early initiative with their probing play, a contrast to the Monarchs tentative approach.
Hahndorf’s bold advances were causing problems for the visitors and they found themselves a goal to the good within the first fifteen minutes. Sawers split open the Monarchs with a superb pass to Santangelo, the inch-perfect ball finding the forward between the two central defenders. Santangelo dummied left and then cut inside before unleashing a drive that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The Monarchs responded well after the home team took the lead, the visitors forced to lift their game with the Magpies dominating the first twenty minutes. The midfield was a fitting battlefield for the two top placed teams in the league, both sides utilising a passing and possession game with the defences matching up well.
A period of Monarchs play was capped off with the equaliser, a good move on the flank resulted in a cross that was headed into the Hahndorf goal with ten minutes left in the half. Hahndorf wrested back possession and almost retook the lead when presented with a free kick 25 yards from goal. A. Noble struck the ball well and it dipped toward goal before the Monarch’s ‘keeper leapt across to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Resuming from the break, Holland nearly got the Magpies off to the perfect start when he intercepted a headed back-pass but the possession took him wide and the Monarchs were able to regroup before his pass could find a team mate. Sawers and A.Noble were a constant threat to the visitors and often sent Hahndorf into attack, while Hermel had a chance with a header but found the ‘keeper in good position.
In defence the Magpies looked comfortable, Taylor having a fine game with good support from Norris, S.Noble and Lynn. However, the Monarchs were having some quality possession in midfield but ultimately the Magpies were equal to the threat with the match played mainly in the seething cauldron of the midfield.
The battle became a little too heated for one Monarchs player and he was given an early bath after a crude challenge earned a second yellow card. It wasn’t long before Hahndorf took advantage of their numerical superiority, a quick break on the flank finding Hermel and he lifted the ball neatly over the advancing ‘keeper for the 2-1 lead.
Hahndorf continued to mount an attack but despite the best intentions of Santangelo they were unable to add to the score. The Monarchs adjusted to their loss and began to fight hard as both teams showed some fine passing moves. However, Hahndorf was creating the better chances with the Magpies defence forming a solid barrier to goal.
Hahndorf made a couple of substitutions, bringing on Luke Guest and Jordan Webber as the match entered the final fifteen minutes. The Monarchs remained defiant and nearly scored an equaliser, the ball bouncing around Hahndorf’s penalty area as players scrambled to get a telling touch before the danger was cleared. Minutes later McGrath made a fine save from a drilled long shot that almost caught the hosts out.
Hahndorf could have halted the Monarchs resurgence through Santangelo, the hard working forward latching onto A.Noble’s cross but his shot was saved by the ‘keeper. Santangelo had a further opportunity with the final attack of the match, a dazzling solo run resulting in a sharp effort that passed just wide of goal.
The win restored Hahndorf’s position at the top of the table, just reward for a solid team effort. Man of the Match went to the superb defending of Scott Taylor, with Leo Santangelo and Matt Norris also amongst the points.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered their second loss of the season when profligate finishing cost them dearly as they went down 2-4 to Adelaide Monarchs.
The Magpies got off to a tardy start with the team taking a while to settle into the match. Nathaniel Brooke started in goal with Matt Medley, Luke Guest and Andy Craig taking the defensive duties and they were under pressure early with the Monarchs looking to get on the score board quickly.
Hahndorf ‘s midfield of Kyle Eglinton, Rupert Lindon, Mike Lewington, Max Gordon-Edwards and Alex Chapman began to make their passing count and drew forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Jordan Webber into play.
Both teams created opportunities with Hahndorf perhaps having the better chances but neither were able to force a goal home. The play developed with Hahndorf starting to put a few attacks through Gordon-Edwards and Webber but they found the Monarchs ‘keeper in good form.
After twenty-five minutes the Monarchs took the lead through a converted penalty, the Monarchs’ forward bundled over in a robust challenge. The goal strengthened the Magpies resolve and they hit back within ten minutes after a corner by Chapman found its way to Gordon-Edwards. The young midfielder ran in an arc on the edge of the penalty area before finding a gap and firing in a brilliant finish to restore parity on the scoresheet.
The battle continued with Hahndorf playing better but unable to add to the score. Both teams’ ‘keepers were kept busy and in fine form, Brooke making several good saves at the feet of the opposition and his opposite number deflecting the Magpies efforts.
The Monarchs relied on getting a quick break and just before half time they unlocked the offside trap to race through on goal and tucked away the goal. It was a frustrating end of the half for the Magpies who should have made their better possession count.
In the second stanza Hahndorf changed their formation a little and maintained their attacking focus. Gordon-Edwards, Chapman, Webber and Eglinton made many forays into Monarchs territory but the Magpies wasted their chances in front of goal, several times the ball rolling across the face of goal, centimetres out but with no-one on hand to poke the ball home.
Hahndorf’s squandered chances were to hurt them when the Monarchs added a third goal, a quick break resulting in a good chip over the stranded Brooke. Hahndorf remained committed to their game plan and continued to create openings but failed to find the net. Their perseverance was eventually rewarded twenty minutes from time when persistence from Webber forced panic in the Monarchs defence and he pounced on the loose ball to fire it into the net.
At 3-2, the Magpies were right back in the match and piled on the pressure, Guest grazing the post with a well struck shot and Konstantinoff unable to keep his volley down from a good position. Hahndorf brought on Kieran Guest and Ben “Beninho” Wells to add impetus to their charge but repeatedly were denied by poor shooting or the good saves by the Monarchs ‘keeper.
The Magpies commitment forward took its toll minutes from time when a break by the Monarchs was illegally halted on the edge on the area. A well placed free kick gave the Monarchs their fourth and effectively killed off Hahndorf’s challenge.
Best on the day was Jordan Webber, who contested pugnaciously throughout the match, with good support from Max Gordon-Edwards and Luke Guest also getting the votes.
Super Cs
The Div 4 Cs scored a 2-0 win courtesy of a forfeit by Hazara. The Div 5 Cs battled hard against The Cove, before a single goal to the league leaders separated the teams at the end. It was a valiant effort by the young Magpies who had conceded six goals to the same team last week.
Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are visiting Flinders University along with the Div 4 Cs, while the Div 5 Cs are away to BOSA.
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