Catch up round: Murray Bridge V Hahndorf Magpies

Murray Bridge United V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf travelled up the freeway to take on Murray Bridge and achieved their aim of securing three points in the chase for promotion with a workman–like 2-0 win.

The Hahndorf Magpies went into the catch-up match knowing that a full haul of points would put them in a good position in the chase for promotion and the weight of expectation drew a cautious start from the Magpies. The defence of Scott Taylor, Steve Noble, Luke Guest and Jon Lynn was complimented by Mark McGrath and the defensive unit were on alert early with the hosts keen to impress during the early going.

Aaron Noble, Dan Hermel, Jack Farrimond and Chris Sawers worked their way into the match and provided the play for forwards Leo Santangelo and Kayne Stubing as the Magpies looked to impose themselves in the game. It was a fairly even first twenty-five minutes, with Hahndorf having the better possession and goal scoring opportunities.

However, a resilient Murray Bridge defence kept the Magpies at bay and despite the visitors getting in dangerous positions, the shot selection by Hahndorf was generally wayward. Santangelo almost had the opening goal when he created space at the top of the penalty area and hit a searing shot that passed wide of the target.

Hahndorf persisted and eventually scored a fortuitous goal, Hermel’s cross mishandled by the home ‘keeper and Santangelo needed no second invitation to slot in the loose ball. The goal seemed to calm the nerves of Hahndorf and they produced some scintillating play, moving the ball quickly to leave Murray Bridge chasing shadows.

Sawers was unlucky not to finish a flowing move from defence, S.Noble finding Hermel and he released Stubing wide. The speedster raced past his opponent and put in a centring ball which Sawers met on the volley, the shot passing just wide of the top corner of goal. Hermel also had a chance when Stubing supplied another cross, but the well struck volley picked out the grateful goalkeeper.

After the halftime break, Hahndorf went looking for a second goal, the one nil lead a little precarious in the context of the match. A.Noble and Farrimond began to dominate the middle of the park and Hahndorf used the spacious flanks to get in behind the Murray Bridge defence. The build up play from the Magpies was in contrast to the final pass, the play developing through some neat passing but the delivery into the penalty area was often over hit or picked out defenders.

The Magpies were generally in control at the back and Murray Bridge never really threatened McGrath’s goal but the inkling of an equaliser remained. Several good chances fell to Hahndorf before a piece of individual skill gave Hahndorf the insurance goal it was looking for. Hermel picked up the ball thirty metres from goal and embarked on a diagonal run, rounding two defenders before blasting a shot high into the net from close in.

Hahndorf remained committed to an attacking style and pressed Murray Bridge for a third score, bringing on Jordan Webber to add to the attack. A.Noble almost celebrated his eighteenth birthday in fine style when he volleyed Taylor’s angled cross just wide of the goal with the match entering its final minutes.

The 2-0 win was another valuable three points for the team as they close in on promotion; Man of the match Aaron Noble the midfield catalyst for the Magpies as they worked their way to the final whistle.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves continued on their winning form with a comfortable 5-0 win over Murray Bridge, Jordan Webber hitting a deserved hat-trick to keep the Magpies within touch of second spot.

The Magpies started the match with Nathaniel Brooke in goal, the big ‘keeper behind the defence of Andy Craig, Matt Medley, Mike Lewington and Rupert ‘the Enforcer’ Lindon. In midfield, Kyle Eglinton, John Lawler, Gary Ledson and Jess Konstantinoff provided the base for the attacking spearheads of Ash Parr and Jordan Webber.

Hahndorf took the game to Murray Bridge, the team maintaining possession through some neat passing and use of the wide spaces available. Lawler and Ledson anchored the middle allowing Konstantinoff and Eglinton to range up and down the flanks. Webber and Parr were a constant threat and it was no surprise when Webber scored the opening goal, a nice passage of play resulting in Webber drilling a low shot past the Murray Bridge ‘keeper.

The main avenue of attack for Murray Bridge was through their centre forward, however Lindon and Lewington were at their miserly best to negate the impact of the target man. Hahndorf resumed with the passing game, using the wings to good effect to score a second goal. Konstantinoff linked with Parr and the robust striker put Webber through with a beautifully weighted pass. Webber closed in on goal at an angle before slipping a pass across the 6 yard box to Eglington who had the simplest of tap ins.

Hahndorf emphasised their dominance with a third goal in the half, Parr again the provider for Webber and the indomitable sharpshooter put away Parr’s low cross with a clinical finish. Murray Bridge had no real answers in unlocking the Magpie defence; Brooke was equal to any attempt at goal and the backline only gave the hosts rare glimpses of goal.

The second stanza progressed much like the first with Hahndorf using the space to dictate the match with the midfield in control and the forwards an ever present threat to the Murray Bridge goal. The home side rearranged their formation and could have pulled a goal back but Brooke made a strong save to deny them a score. The Magpies looked comfortable on the ball and built from the back, passing their way to the forward line.

Several substitutions by Hahndorf let Kieran Guest, Ben ‘Beninho’ Wells and Bob Gordon-Edwards enter the match, the trio slotting straight into the Magpie formation. Hahndorf kept the pressure on Murray Bridge but failed to find the target, Konstantinoff going close when he smashed a shot at goal only for Parr to be on the receiving end and deflecting it out of goal.

Webber restored accuracy with his third goal of the day, an incisive individual effort when he beat the ‘keeper to the ball after rounding the last defender. Further chances fell to Lawler, Parr and Konstantinoff but they were unable to trouble the score and Hahndorf wasted a few good attacks with over hit crosses.

Murray Bridge could not pierce the defence of Hahndorf and were kept busy defending in their own half. Pressure by the Magpies resulted in the fifth goal just before full time; ‘Beninho’ Wells putting in a well-placed header after Murray Bridge failed to clear a Hahndorf corner.

The result continues Hahndorf’s push for second spot with John Lawler earning Man of the Match honours for sterling his efforts. The team now turns its focus to the Cup Final against Ingle Farm on Sunday at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Cup Semi final: Hahndorf V Modbury Vista

Hahndorf V Modbury Vista

Hahndorf produced a first half assault on Modbury Vista to book their place in the Cup final, a hat-trick from in-form striker Leo Santangelo laying the foundation for a victorious 5-1 result.

Hindmarsh Stadium was picture perfect on a sunny Sunday; the dry, flat pitch a welcome change from recent surfaces and Hahndorf immediately went on the attack from the opening whistle of the Cup semi final. Earning a corner in the first thirty seconds, Hahndorf struck the opening goal in the third minute, the pace and attack of the Magpie forwards catching Vista on the back foot. Santangelo, Dan Hermel, Tom Holland and Chris Sawers exposed Modbury’s backline before Santangelo struck, his drive squeezing between defender and goalkeeper to get Hahndorf off to a perfect start.

A further three minutes passed in which Hahndorf were unrelenting in attack and doubled their lead, Santangelo once again the scorer, his speed and clinical finishing complimenting a slick move by the Magpies. The Modbury Vista team were stunned but tried to work their way into the match. However, the defence of Kyle Eglinton, Rupert Lindon, Andy Craig and Mike Lewington were equal to the challenge and Magpie ‘keeper Mark McGrath had few troubles.

The Magpies kept up their attack, midfielders Dan Holland and Aaron Noble controlling the middle and releasing Hahndorf’s sharp forward line. Santangelo was in rampant form and combined with T.Holland for Hahndorf’s third goal, Holland making good ground to tap in Santangelo’s cross from close range.

The Magpies made it a memorable twenty minutes when Santangelo completed his hat-trick in fine style. Latching on to a through ball, the marksman bore down on Vista’s goal and slotted away Hahndorf’s fourth score of the match, the cool finish giving Vista’s ‘keeper no chance. It was a stunning opening charge from the Magpies, the forwards and midfielders using their speed, passing and possession to set Vista back on their heels.

Modbury Vista lifted their game and created several chances but they couldn’t get a clear shot on goal, a few shots passing well wide of the goal and those that were on target were comfortably dealt with by McGrath. Central defenders Lewington and Lindon made the Vista forwards earn possession and the Modbury side found the final pass a difficult proposition as they struggled to make an impression on the scoreboard.

Hahndorf were enjoying the match, Noble, Sawers, Hermel and the Holland brothers finding their passing game to win the midfield possession. Hahndorf almost added a fifth just before half time, Santangelo again on the end of a defence splitting pass but he lifted his shot just wide of goal.

In the second half, Hahndorf changed their formation a little to protect their lead and to counter a more attacking opposition, Modbury Vista having little to lose by throwing more players up front. The half developed into a more even affair with both teams using the space on offer to retain the ball and play their way forward.

Lewington was particularly obstructionist to the Vista forwards, the robust defender winning most of the contested balls and dominating the aerial duels. The play ebbed and flowed, neither team able to create a clear chance during the first fifteen minutes of the half.

Hahndorf maintained their passing game, Noble notable for his industrious work in winning and keeping possession while Hermel and Sawers used the spaces on the flanks. The Magpies made their first substitution when T.Holland suffered an injury and was replaced by Gary Ledson. The hard working midfielder was straight into the match as Hahndorf kept the Vista side at bay.

However, with twenty minutes to go, Modbury Vista did get on the scoreboard, the Magpie defence blocking an initial shot but failing to clear it effectively and a Vista forward struck a solid goal to give them a glimmer of hope.

Hahndorf answered the challenge in the best possible way, maintaining their four goal buffer through Noble within five minutes of the restart. The prodigiously talented midfielder won the ball on the edge of the penalty area and unbalanced the defender before drilling a low shot into the corner of goal.

The goal effectively killed off Modbury Vista’s challenge, with players on both teams feeling the effects of the large pitch in combination with the first warm day in recent memory. Hahndorf brought on two more substitutes, Kieran Guest and Jesse Konstantinoff making a valuable appearance at either end of the ground as the Magpies looked to close out the match. Vista tied to add to their score but the Hahndorf defence remained resolute under pressure and gave the northern suburbs side no joy before the referee whistled for full time.

It was an emphatic and deserved victory for Hahndorf, set up by a blistering four goal burst in the opening twenty minutes to take them to the Cup final in two weeks time. All players put in a tremendous effort, the team working as a unit at both ends of the pitch and dictating terms in the middle.

Next week Hahndorf play a League catch up match, a valuable three points on offer at Murray Bridge to maintain the Magpies push for promotion.