Flinders University V Hahndorf Magpies
The Hahndorf Magpies ventured to Flinders University looking to maintain their league leading status but an in-form home goalkeeper and some errant finishing kept the combatants locked at one all by the final whistle.
In the sparkling winter sunshine, Hahndorf set out to use the spaces of the wide pitch, employing a four-man midfield of Chris Sawers, Aaron Noble, Jack Farrimond and Dan Hermel behind spearheads Tom Holland and Leo Santangelo.
The Magpies made their intentions clear with a few marauding attacks into Flinders territory with Holland and Santangelo trying some speculative shots early on. The Magpies were also alert in defence, Steve Noble, Matt Norris, Scott Taylor and Jon Lynn keeping Uni away from testing the reflexes of goalkeeper Mark McGrath.
As the game developed, Uni began to impose themselves on the match with the midfield up for contest, each team having periods of domination and finding their range in front of goal. Flinders had a good chance with a header but McGrath was comfortably in position to prevent the score. Hahndorf responded through Hermel, a nice passage of play resulting in a fine cross from A. Noble who found Hermel’s head but the Uni ‘keeper was on hand to make the save.
Play continued to ebb and flow between the teams before a telling piece of University possession gave them the lead, a centring ball not cleared by Hahndorf and it fell to the University striker and he thumped it in from four metres.
Hahndorf answered the challenge with a series of piercing attacks, Holland and Santangelo with two very good chances that should have given the Magpies the equaliser but they found the home custodian in good form. The visitors kept up the pressure with Hermel the next to try but he shot over the bar from a good position.
A corner to Hahndorf nearly provided the breakthrough but Norris’ powerful header skimmed the crossbar, a scant reward for his good positioning and salmon-like leap. The University side attempted to stem the waves of attack, but the resurgent Hahndorf defence gave little away and the rarely gave Flinders a sight of goal.
A deep free kick from Taylor picked out Hermel and he headed to Holland who struck a powerful shot at goal. The shot looked to give Hahndorf the equaliser but a tremendous diving save denied the visitors a deserved goal. A.Noble showcased his fleet footed skills, eluding two Flinders players in a tight space before a third scythed him down, the cynical challenge earning a yellow card as the midfield intensity peaked before half time.
After the break, Hahndorf reassessed their position and sought to make their opportunities count, finding an equaliser within ten minutes of the restart. A good build up by the Magpies culminated in Santangelo lifting his shot over the diving ‘keeper, the sharpshooter put in close to goal by Holland’s clever pass from the edge of the area.
The visitors almost went ahead soon after when Sawers set up A.Noble with a well struck volley, but desperate defending saw the goal-bound effort deflected for a corner. Flinders University responded to the threat by contesting harder through in the midfield, but they were unable to mount any genuine attack on the Hahndorf goal.
The home side remained in the match largely through the excellent form of their ‘keeper, who was having an outstanding game and denied the Magpies on numerous occasions as Hahndorf pressed for the winning goal. Santangelo had a promising strike brilliantly saved after being put into a great position by A.Noble. Sawers set up Farrimond and he too was denied by desperate defending as the Magpies lay siege to the Flinders goal.
Jordan Webber and Kayne Stubing were brought on for a fresh attacking approach as the match drew on, Hahndorf seeking a way past the uncanny ‘keeper. Webber almost prised the University side open, his cross diverted behind the ‘keeper but as the Flinders’ custodian and Santangelo raced to the loose ball, the latter could only find the side netting from a narrow angle.
Hahndorf brought on Luke Guest on in the final minutes as the pressure mounted on the hosts but in the end time was the enemy as the referee signalled the end of the entertaining match. Man of the match was Aaron Noble, the youngster putting in an outstanding effort all game.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves moved within four points of the top with a tenacious 3-1 win over league leaders Flinders University.
As could be expected from the two top teams, the match got off to a fairly even opening with both sides using the generous width on offer to create chances. Hahndorf began with Nathaniel Brooke in goal, behind a defensive unit of Luke Guest, Matt Medley, Andy Craig and Rupert ‘the enforcer’ Lindon. Mike Lewington anchored the versatile midfield of Max Gordon-Edwards, David Grant, Kyle Eglinton and Alex Chapman with Jordan Webber the focal point in attack.
The thrust and parry of the early action saw both teams keen to make their mark on the match with perhaps the hosts creating the better opportunities. However as the match developed Hahndorf began to make their passing game come to the fore with Eglinton and Gordon-Edwards exploiting the flanks. Webber proved to be a handful up front and midway through the half the Magpies drew first blood with a clinical strike from the marksman after fine work from Gordon-Edwards found Webber in good position.
The lead did not last long however with the University hitting back within five minutes, a well hit shot from distance finding the corner of goal. With parity restored, the intensity of the match lifted with possession being highly contested. Challenges were robust, with neither team giving ground. Hahndorf suffered a blow when Brooke was forced to leave the field after making an outstanding save, the big ‘keeper suffering a head injury as his momentum carried him into the opposing player.
Hahndorf rearranged their team with Ash Parr brought on and the versatile Guest donning the gloves for the Magpies and making several good saves in the half. Further chances fell to the Magpies but they were unable to make them count as the half drew to an end.
Upon resumption of play, the visitors took the game up to Flinders University. Chapman, Grant and Lewington battled hard to give Hahndorf the upper hand in midfield while Webber and Gordon-Edwards continued to cause consternation for the Flinders defence. Craig, Parr, Medley and Lindon tightened their defensive duties and gave their opponents few chances. Jesse Konstantinoff was brought on with thirty minutes remaining as the Magpies went searching for goals.
A period of Hahndorf pressure eventually brought reward, a Grant corner causing panic in the University area and Konstantinoff poked the ball towards goal before a Flinders player edged it past his ‘keeper. The home side tried to respond but Guest was rarely tested with Hahndorf’s defence determined to deny Flinders any shot at an equaliser.
Hahndorf sealed the result ten minutes from time with a controversial third goal. With the Flinders ‘keeper strangely deserting his goal to chase a ball out to the side line, the referee called play on with the custodian some distance from home. Hahndorf took a throw to Webber and he slotted the ball home with the Flinders ‘keeper struggling to return to goal. The Flinders’ players were incensed by the goal but the referee stood by his decision.
The remaining minutes saw Flinders mount some ineffective attacks and Hahndorf maintained a strong defence to see out the match, the win just reward for an outstanding team effort with all players performing well. Best on the day was Jordon Webber, the rambunctious forward a constant threat with Luke Guest also having a fine game, his versatility underlined by his appearance in the First team and he also put in seventy minutes for the Cs on the neighbouring pitch. Max Gordon-Edwards rounded out the votes with a fine game in midfield.
Super Cs
The Div 4 Cs narrowly went down to Flinders University, a 4-3 score ensuring plenty of action with Angus Hambrook, Paul Below and Dan Proom all producing fine goals. The Div 5 Cs were defeated by BOSA 2-0 in a close affair, the odd goal in each half separating the teams.
Next week Hahndorf are home at Pine Avenue to McLaren District with the Div 5 Cs kicking off proceedings at 11am when they host St Peters. The Div 4 Cs are playing Strathalbyn at the Mylor ground for the 3pm start.
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