Hahndorf v Adelaide University (2)
Hahndorf and Adelaide University put on an entertaining display for the first round of the Challenge Cup, the teams locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes before a goal in extra time saw the visitors take the win.
The Adelaide University (2) Third Division side went into the contest as the underdogs but came out firing in the early running, putting Hahndorf on the back foot. However, Hahndorf goalkeeper Mark McGrath dealt with the threat and the Magpies began to work their way back into the match through midfielders Mike Lewington, Jack Farrimond, Chris Sawers and Dan Hermel.
Hahndorf should have put in a score before half time, the Magpies hitting the target seven times but unable to get the ball past the University ‘keeper, Leo Santangelo and Tom Holland seeing plenty of the ball while Sawers also spurned chances.
While Hahndorf were creating the better opportunities, at the other end of the pitch Scott Schubert and Kieran Guest combined with experienced players Matt Norris and Steve Noble to quash the University threat. With the game developing into a fairly even affair, the Magpies were dealt a blow before half time when Holland suffered a serious ankle injury and Jordan Webber was brought on in his place.
After the break, the Adelaide University side took the initiative, moving the ball swiftly into attack and McGrath pulled off a cracking save to deny the score. Hahndorf failed to remedy the defensive lapse and further pressure by the visitors gave them the lead, a strike from the top of the penalty area finding the net.
Hahndorf responded almost immediately but Sawers’ goal was controversially deemed to be from an offside position. University continued to make the better play, their movement and pressure creating several chances before the Magpies forced a corner.
From the resulting kick, Hahndorf kept the ball in the area before Norris smashed a shot goalward but a deflection put the ball into the path of the ‘keeper and he pushed it wide. The hosts had a further opportunity blocked before a rash challenge saw a University player earn his second yellow card and subsequently an early bath.
With a man advantage Hahndorf began to play better and Santangelo and Webber both had good chances to even the score. However, the pressure eventually resulted in the equaliser; Sawers banging in the goal after Santangelo battled down the flank and put in a fine cross.
The Magpies continued to press for another score, Santangelo again the provider to Sawers, who knocked the ball back to Hermel but his shot was blasted over the bar.
Then University went 2-1 up, almost against the run of play, a neat exchange wrong footing the defence and the visiting forward made the most of the space on offer to tuck away their second score.
With time running down it was a tense finish to the match, Hahndorf pressing for a goal in the final minutes. A free kick just outside the penalty area gave Santangelo a good chance and he struck a beautifully curled shot to find the top corner with what was the final kick in normal time.
Extra time drew both sides into some desperate football, Hahndorf wasting a corner opportunity and University battling to keep the hosts out. Several openings fell to both sides but neither could take advantage.
A period of pressure by University led to a hand ball appeal in the penalty area but persistence paid off as they scored seconds later to lead 3-2 as the first half of extra time was brought to a close.
The final fifteen minutes saw Hahndorf pushing for an equaliser with Sawers working the wing well and the defence determined to prevent another Adelaide score. Lewington rose well to head a good chance over the bar from a corner while University answered by hitting the woodwork at the other end. A final push by the Magpies was not enough, their shooting astray as the referee signalled the final whistle.
Hahndorf’s Man of the Match was Leo Santangelo with another sterling performance with Chris Sawers and Dan Hermel also featuring for their relentless work throughout the match.
Reserves: Adelaide Budapest V Hahndorf
The Hahndorf reserves advanced to the next round of the Cup with a solid 1-0 victory over Adelaide Budapest, Jesse Konstantinoff breaking the deadlock with a clinical strike.
Hahndorf and Budapest met each other for the second time this season and there was little between the teams in the opening exchanges. Budapest fired an early shot when they broke through the defence but the effort went high over the bar and did not trouble Magpie goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke.
Hahndorf hit back with Jesse Konstantinoff earning a corner and “El Presidente”, Stuart Thomas sent John Lawler’s neat ball just past the post with his head. Hahndorf had Steve Ness and Rupert “Crusher” Lindon patrolling the middle of the large park where they were winning the contested possession.
Defenders Scott Breaker and Dan Mardle diffused some promising Budapest attacks, with Andy Craig and Thomas cutting out the high ball into the middle. Chris Hyde sent Kyle Eglinton down the flank and his cross found Konstantinoff, but a heavy touch by the striker halted the opportunity.
Thomas continued to win the aerial ball and he set up Hyde from a corner kick but Hyde’s true shot was parried by the Budapest ‘keeper as the Magpies increased the pressure on the hosts.
Budapest then had a one on one chance but Brooke was in good position to hold the well struck shot and deny the score. Konstantinoff was getting plenty of the ball and beat three opponents on a dazzling run before his progress was halted by the goal-line. A further attack by Hahndorf saw Eglinton latch onto Konstantinoff’s pass before centring to Hyde, but unfortunately for the Magpies the ‘keeper was again able to block the chance.
Just before half time, Budapest had their best chance to score but the player headed the ball over the bar after a good cross found him alone at the back post.
Hahndorf regrouped at half time and were immediately on the attack upon the resumption of play. Lindon cut a swathe down the wing before pushing the ball inside to Konstantinoff, the striker turning sharply and unleashing a thunderous shot which cannoned of the crossbar. The Magpies kept the ball in the penalty area and Hyde slipped a pass to Eglinton, his shot ricocheting off the woodwork for the second time in within seconds.
Tom Stevens entered the match with thirty minutes to go, as Hahndorf kept up the tempo through Lawler. The winger ran into space to cross for Hyde, the experienced forward turning and shooting in a fluid movement but again the Budapest ‘keeper was on hand to block the shot.
Ness was very industrious in midfield, cutting out the potential threat of the home side and, in tandem with Lindon, setting the pace of the game. Konstantinoff found himself one on one with the ‘keeper after Craig’s lofted pass put him behind the defence but he stuck the ball straight at the ‘keeper to keep the match deadlocked.
An off the ball incident was witnessed by the referee and a Budapest player earned himself an early shower, the piece of petulance costly for the hosts as Hahndorf took full toll minutes later. The Magpies pressed forward and Hyde made space in the penalty area to feed Konstantinoff who took a touch before slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
Hahndorf brought on Alex Robson and Tim Staniford in the final fifteen minutes as the visitors weathered any further attacks by Budapest, the hosts not able to get a clear chance on goal before full time was signalled.
It was a deserved team win for the Magpies in a match where they dictated proceedings for much of the play. Man of the Match honours went to Rupert Lindon, with Steve Ness, Jesse konstantinoff and Chris Hyde also prominent in a solid all around team effort.
Next week the Magpies travel to take on Adelaide University (1) on the plush grounds of the University sports fields while the Super Cs are also away to local rivals Mt Lofty Eagles.
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