Round 14: Adelaide University V Hahndorf Magpies

Adelaide University V Hahndorf Magpies

In difficult conditions, Hahndorf responded well to an early setback to outplay Adelaide University with a 4-1 win to maintain second place in the 3rd Division of the SA Amateur Soccer League.

Hahndorf opened play with Mark McGrath in goal, presiding over a defensive line containing Scott Taylor, Steve Noble, Matt Norris and Jon Lynn. The pitch did the visiting Magpies no favours, boggy areas and puddles making the passing game a lottery at times. The Magpie midfield of Jack Farrimond, Dan Hermel, Kayne Stubing and Aaron Noble adjusted their play give forwards Tom Holland and Jordan Webber a range of attacking options.

The opening exchanges were relatively even but a rare mistake in defence gave Adelaide possession close to goal and they converted their chance to take a 1 nil lead. Hahndorf didn’t dwell on the misfortune and hit back within ten minutes to restore parity. A.Noble made no mistake from the penalty spot after an infringement by the University ‘keeper after some attacking play by the visitors.

Hahndorf kept up the pressure and added a second goal, Webber’s determined run and shot blocked by the University ‘keeper. However Holland followed up with a telling strike, his accurate left foot giving Hahndorf the 2-1 lead.

Hahndorf were providing the better football but the Adelaide side were also putting some opportunities together and kept the Magpie defence on alert. Farrimond was revelling in the conditions, his robust challenges helping to win the midfield battle.

Hahndorf took a 3-1 lead into half time courtesy of a sublime piece of skill from A.Noble. Receiving the ball some 35 metres from goal, the sprightly youngster jinked sideways to create space and then launched an audacious chip that cleared the ‘keeper to nestle in the back of the net. Stubing almost added a fourth, but just failed to get on the end of Holland’s outstanding cross, the ball sliding past the speedster.

The second half started in a fairly even tussle, neither team able to create a clear shot at goal with the respective defences in a miserly mood, Taylor and Norris particularly adept in cutting out attacks.

Hahndorf went looking for goals and could have had a couple more, Hermel’s short corner creating confusion in the six-yard box before it was hacked away to safety by Adelaide. Leo Santangelo was brought into the match to add some glamour to the mudfest and he should have scored soon after his introduction. The tall striker, usually a model of consistency, was presented with a great chance after the ‘keeper could only parry Hermel’s shot into his path but Santagelo slipped at the vital moment and spooned the ball over the bar from close range.

Both teams lost a player each after the referee awarded a yellow card for dissent in the same incident, leaving the play open for the remaining fifteen minutes. Hahndorf brought on Max Gordon-Edwards and the talented midfielder was immediately into the action with Holland setting him up with a great pass; the shot however went straight to the Adelaide ‘keeper.

He was to make amends within minutes however, a long corner giving him two chances to cut the ball back, the second finding Norris and the central defender struck a superb volley across goal into the top corner. Santangelo and Gordon-Edwards combined for a further chance but the shot went wide as Hahndorf finished the match with better options than their opponents.

The 4-1 win was a deserved reward for the Magpies in trying conditions and maintains their second place on the league ladder. Man of the match was Tom Holland who had a brilliant game, a goal and some inspirational passing a highlight on the overcast day. He was ably supported by Aaron Noble, who scored goal of the day and Scott Taylor, a pillar of strength in defence.




Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves met a determined Adelaide University side on a treacherous pitch with both teams having to settle for a share of the points in a 1-1 draw.

Overnight and morning rain drenched the Adelaide University pitch leaving it like a wetlands rather than the parklands but with the ground having a reasonably firm base, the referee decided play would begin. Both teams spent the opening minutes gauging the conditions, the ball prone to sticking in some areas and skipping through in others.

The Magpies started Nathaniel Brooke in goal, the big keeper making a strong recovery from head injuries a fortnight ago and he was immediately on his game and commanding the penalty area. Sam Heyward and Max Gordon-Edwards formed a potent strike force in front of a dynamic midfield containing Kyle Eglinton, David Grant, Gary Ledson and Ash Parr.

Hahndorf weathered a few University attacks, defenders Matt Medley, Andy Craig, Rupert ‘The Enforcer’ Lindon and Mike Lewington equal to the early examination and adjusting their play to the conditions. Working into the match, the Hahndorf midfield put together some tidy moves with Eglinton and Parr the focus on the flanks, the wide regions more conducive to flowing play.

Both teams had chances at goal but Adelaide had difficulty finding the target while the Hahndorf efforts found the University ‘keeper in good form, diving to save several shots from Heyward, Parr and Gordon-Edwards. However, it was Hahndorf who were beginning to take the upper hand and they capitalised with a goal after a good build up.

Grant pounced on a loose ball to find Heyward and he sent a pass wide to Parr, the bustling winger deceiving his marker before bursting into the penalty area and arrowing a low shot at goal. The University ‘keeper dived left but could only parry the ball and it fell to Gordon-Edwards who drilled it into the bottom corner of the net to give the Magpies the lead.

Hahndorf had more opportunities to add to their score in the half but found the Adelaide custodian the main impediment. A throw to Ledson opened up a chance for Gordon-Edwards but his sizzling shot went just wide with the ‘keeper beaten.

In the second half Hahndorf opened with some scintillating play but while they pinned University back, the Magpies could not generate a clear shot at goal. Grant, Parr, Ledson and Eglinton controlled the play, bringing Gordon-Edwards and Heyward some opportunities but the visitors failed to find a decisive strike.

Adelaide University persevered however and found an equaliser through a quick break, the well-struck shot leaving Brooke little chance. The goal bolstered the home side and they found renewed purpose and put Hahndorf under increasing pressure.

Hahndorf made a couple of substitutions, bringing on Ben ‘Beninho’ Wells and Jesse Konstantinoff. Gordon-Edwards was in sparkling form, his deceptive pace causing Adelaide problems and on one enterprising run he had only the goalkeeper to beat but a good save denied Hahndorf their second goal.

Adelaide had chances of their own but also found their aim astray and despite the attacking intentions of both teams the match ended with a draw, the same result as earlier in the season. Man of the match for Hahndorf was Gordon-Edwards, the young forward showcasing his skills in trying conditions.


Super Cs
The Div 4 Cs enjoyed a 3-1 win over the Dragon Rangers, a great reward for the team after a difficult season. The Div 5 Cs were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score-line against the Vipers, the home referee playing a major role in the result.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies battle for local bragging rights when they visit Mt Barker at the Cornerstone College ground. The Div 4 Cs are away to Greenock while the Div 5 Cs have a shorter trip when they visit Sturt Marion.