Hahndorf V Adelaide Titans
Newly promoted Hahndorf kicked off their 2011 Division 2 campaign with an engaging 1-1 draw, a clinical strike by Kayne Stubing cancelled out in the second half by the Adelaide Titans.
After a solid preseason, Hahndorf were confidant going into the first round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd Division, hosting the Adelaide Titans, a rebadged incarnation of Navarino FC. The Magpies started with Nathaniel Brooke in goal, commanding the defensive line of Steve Noble, Michael Lewington, Matt Norris and Dan Hermel. The quartet were tested but a genuine threat was not forthcoming from the Titans in the early running.
The Magpie midfield were into the action from the outset, wide players Chris Sawers and Ash Parr working the flanks while the central battleground was embraced by Luke Guest and Jack Farrimond. Tom Holland and Kayne Stubing formed an adroit and swift pairing up front and after twenty-five minutes it looked to pay immediate dividends with Stubing escaping and shooting past the Titans goalkeeper before a late offside call ruled out the goal.
The warning went unheeded by the Titans and soon after Farrimond and Guest combined to win a contested midfield ball and send Holland into space. Drawing a couple of Titan defenders, Holland pinpointed his pass to Stubing who rounded his marker and fired a shot into the far corner to put Hahndorf into the lead.
The Titans almost equalised soon after but a goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by Noble’s timely header. Both teams fought for the next score but clear chances were rare, Guest going closest with a stinging free kick that flew past the post.
In the closing stages of the half, Stubing had a great chance to extend Hahndorf’s lead after Holland had centred but the Titans’ ‘keeper made a good block to deny the speedster. At the other end, Noble was called on to repeat his defensive skills with a second clearance off the line after the Titans went close to restoring parity.
The second half started well for the hosts when Stubing passed to Holland on the flank and he picked out Sawers at the back post with a fine cross. Sawers met the header at pace but the ball flew inches over the bar. The Magpies created further chances with Guest going just wide from distance before Hermel made a storming run down the wing, exchanging passes with Guest before darting past the Titan defence. However the opposing ‘keeper stood firm to deny Hermel’s shot.
The Titans answered with a good chance of their own, but Brooke was in fine form to halt the play, one of several good saves by the big Hahndorf custodian as the intensity of the match increased. A period of pressure by the Titans eventually resulted in a score, Hahndorf failing to sufficiently clear the ball before a couple of sharp passes put the ball in the net.
The Magpies almost restored their lead soon after when Stubing lashed a ball just over the bar from thirty metres, his strike gaining him some attention from a Titans defender who was minutes late with his tackle and he earned a yellow card from the referee.
A Parr free kick found Lewington in the box but his shot crashed off the Titans ‘keeper as the visitors found themselves under increasing pressure. The Titans hit back with a great chance, their striker clear through on goal and he unleashed a fierce shot from close range that Brooke beat away with a stunning save.
Hahndorf showed its intention in going for the win by bringing on forward Jesse Konstantinoff for a midfielder as both teams strove for the winning combination. Sawers got into a good position but skewed his shot and Stubing burst through to go one on one with the goalkeeper but had his shot parried away.
Hahndorf though they had broken the deadlock when Farrimond arrowed a powerful header to the corner of goal but a terrific save tipped the ball over the bar. Hahndorf continued to create the better chances and late in the match Parr weaved his way past several Titan players. In the motion of shooting he became entangled with Konstantinoff and the ball passed harmlessly wide of goal.
Hermel had the last clear chance of the match when put through by Konstantinoff, but again the Titan’s ‘keeper was able to deny the effort to ensure the match ended with the points shared.
Man of the Match for Hahndorf was Nathaniel Brooke, making several crucial saves to repel the Titans, with Tom Holland and Jack Farrimond also outstanding with their contributions.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves fought out a well-contested match against the Adelaide Titans, the 1-1 score line giving both teams a point despite a strong finish by the hosts.
Hahndorf went to an early lead, courtesy of a well-struck penalty by Jesse Konstantinoff, the Magpie forward converting the chance after Steve Ness was deemed to have been illegally impeded in the Titan penalty area.
Hahndorf did not make the most of their quick start and the Titans forced the defence of Scott Breaker, Andy Craig, Kieran Guest and Daniel Agger onto the back foot as the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser. Magpie goalkeeper Mark McGrath made several important stops as Hahndorf struggled to meet the determination of the Titans.
Kyle Eglinton, Rupert Lindon, Ness and Angus Hambrook battled hard in the midfield with Tom Stevens looking to support Konstantinoff, however Hahndorf had trouble stringing passes together with their rivals pushing forward with regularity.
The Magpies mounted a few attacks but despite some good opportunities, they could not add to their score. The Titans engaged the long throw to put Hahndorf under pressure in the penalty area and with half time beckoning, their persistence paid off, a looping header from a throw-in just nestling inside the post.
With scores level, Hahndorf picked up their game in the second half. Guest and Breaker worked hard in defence and were often the start of counter attacks as the Magpie midfield began to find more space. Hambrook and Eglinton offered an attacking force on the flanks and the hosts were able to get better service into the forward third of the pitch. Konstantinoff, Ness and Stevens had their opportunities but could not make them count as Hahndorf began to take control of the midfield.
John Lawler was brought on and was involved in several good moves but again Hahndorf had trouble beating the Titans’ ‘keeper. The visitors also created some good chances but were generally wayward with their shooting. Both teams had good chances to score the winning goal but the respective defences held firm.
It was a much-improved performance in the second half by the Magpies and just their finishing let them down. Best on the day was Kieran Guest, a citadel of strength in the back line with fellow defender Scott Breaker and the hard running Angus Hambrook earning the coaches plaudits.
Next week the Hahndorf Magpies travel to the far end of Torrens Road to take on Budapest, a side with which Hahndorf has had some highly contested meetings.
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