Round 5: Hahndorf V Southern Breakers

Hahndorf V Southern Breakers

In the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd Division, Hahndorf atoned for last seasons Cup loss with a convincing 4-1 win against the Southern Breakers, model forward Leo Santangelo bagging a brace for the Magpies.

A reshuffled line up to accommodate injuries and returns saw Mark McGrath start in goal with Matt Norris, Steve Noble, Scott Schubert and Kieran Guest forming the backbone of defence. Chris Sawers, Mike Lewington, Jack Farrimond and Dan Hermel looked to command the middle of the park from the kick-off as both teams sought the early initiative.

Leo Santangelo and Tom Holland created space in the forward line and kept the Southern Breakers on alert with some swift passing and running off the ball. With Hahndorf shading possession and Norris commanding the defensive line, the better chances fell to the home team and soon they took advantage.

Santangelo opened his goal scoring account after twenty minutes, latching on to a through ball and beating the Breakers’ ‘keeper with a fine shot to put Hahndorf up 1-0.

Further pressure from the hosts saw them double their lead ten minutes later, Sawers with some quality possession deep into the Breakers’ penalty area before cutting the ball back to the unmarked Holland. The talented forward deftly placed the ball into the corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

Hahndorf continued to hold the majority of possession, Farrimond and Lewington holding the middle, while Hermel was quick to go on the attack. The Breakers did have their chances but Guest, Noble and Norris kept the shots to a minimum and McGrath stopped any goal bound efforts.

However, late in the half he was powerless to stop a neat headed goal, the ball flicked on twice to elude the Magpie defence for a 2-1 score and to give the Hahndorf coaching staff a talking point at the half time break.

The Breaker drew strength from their goal and had a couple of chances upon resumption of play but their efforts fell straight to McGrath. Hahndorf responded through Sawers, who latched onto a cross field pass and rode a tackle but he unfortunately shot wide of the target. Santangelo went on a determined run and was fouled by a rash challenge but the resultant free kick failed to trouble the Breakers’ ‘keeper.

Sawers again had the chance to score but shot wide of the mark and then Santangelo brought out a fine save by the visiting custodian. However, the pressure took its toll on the Breakers and Hahndorf went 3-1up through Hermel, Santangelo’s pass finding the nippy winger and he rifled a shot into the top right hand corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The Southern Breakers had an opportunity to hit back but after an initial slip, the Hahndorf defence recovered well to block the shot. Luke Guest entered the match and quickly made his presence felt, winning some midfield battles, before Santangelo put the match beyond the Breakers with his second and Hahndorf’s fourth.

A quick counter attack slipped the ball to Sanangelo on the half way line and he executed a sublime turn to skip clear of his marker and race toward goal. Drawing the Breakers’ ‘keeper out, Santangelo firmly guided the ball into the corner of goal for a classy finish.

The goal effectively killed off any hopes the visitors harboured as Hahndorf pressed for more goals. Holland chased a long pass from Hermel, saving the ball from going out and setting up L.Guest with a looping shot that was tipped over the bar.

Jesse Konstantinoff and Rupert Lindon were brought on in the final ten minutes, the latter sending L.Guest through on goal but the Breakers ‘keeper parried the shot to deny the versatile midfielder. The Breakers had a final chance to add to their score but McGrath’s foot blocked the low shot aimed just inside the post.

The win was just reward for the Hahndorf Magpies, a solid defence effort providing the platform for attack over the Breakers who have been a thorn in the side in recent meetings. Best for Hahndorf on the day was Matt Norris, inspirationally leading from the back, with Leo Santangelo and Steve Noble making important contributions to the team win.


Reserves

An insipid first half display cost the Hahndorf Magpies dearly as, despite a spirited comeback, they went down 2-4 to the Southern Breakers.

Hahndorf started the match in a confident mood, Luke Guest stepping into the role of goalkeeper after illness deprived the Magpies of their regular shot stopper, with veterans Andy Craig and “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas leading Dan Mardle and Scott Breaker in defence.

Rupert “Crusher” Lindon, Steve Ness, Jesse Konstantinoff and Tom Stevens patrolled the midfield, weathering an initial Breakers surge before drawing forwards Chris Hyde and Jordan Webber into play. Hahndorf probed the Breakers’ defences before Webber scored for the home team after fifteen minutes. The Magpies made good use of possession on the left and Webber forged a typically bullocking run into the area and found the net with a precise finish into the far corner.

However, only minutes later the Southern Breakers hit back, a series of quick exchanges opened up the hosts and the visitors duly scored with a neat finish from ten metres. The equaliser put belief into the Breakers and they carved out further opportunities, testing Guest, who made some important saves and putting Hahndorf on the back foot.

A second score to the Southern Breakers occurred as the Magpies struggled to find rhythm in their game, their passing going astray and many players static as the Breakers quick movement exposed Hahndorf. The match got worse for the home team when a poor pass out of defence left them open and Hahndorf conceded a penalty, the conversion making it 3-1 to the Southern Breakers.

Hahndorf rounded out their worst half of the season when minutes from half time a Breakers’ shot deflected off a Magpie head and looped into goal.

A stern half time examination saw a more positive Hahndorf team start the second half; Angus Hambrook was brought on for the injured Stevens and the Magpies underlined their resolve with a score within minutes of the restart.

A well-placed corner drew a crowd and it was Thomas who read the flight best, planting a trademark header firmly into the back of the net. The Magpies looked revitalised and pressed forward, building up the pressure on the Breakers defence.

Hambrook, Lindon and Ness picked up the work rate and Hahndorf created several good chances but could not find the goal. Craig and Thomas marshalled the defence and few chances fell to the Breakers. Pressure from the Magpies kept the away side pinned in their half, but Hahndorf had difficulty in forcing a third goal. Another corner found Ness free but his bullet-like header found the Breakers’ ‘keeper as the Magpies sought to reward their dominace.

John Lawler was brought on and put in a few good crosses but they just failed to find the Magpie forwards and Craig hit a speculative lob that went close.
The Breakers threatened late in the match but Guest made a smart save to keep the visitors scoreless in the second half as the referee blew for full time.

After a woeful first forty-five minutes, it was a much-improved performance from Hahndorf in the second half, Ness, Lindon and Craig notable for their efforts.

Super Cs
The Super Cs battled hard to erase a two goal deficit against Old Ignatians, the match ebbing and flowing before it culminated in a 3-3 draw.


Next week is a Cup round, the Hahndorf firsts are playing Adelaide University at home for the 2:30pm kick off while the Reserves travel to meet Budapest in their clash at 12:30pm.