2012 Round 2: Adelaide Monarchs V Hahndorf Magpies

Adelaide Monarchs V Hahndorf Magpies

On a wet Saturday at Grange, Hahndorf and the Monarchs engaged in a see-sawing goal feast before a late strike by the home side gave them the points in a 5-4 thriller.

A constant drizzle made the wide, flat surface of the ground slick from the opening whistle and both teams took time to adjust to the slippery conditions. Hahndorf lined up with an attacking, fast-paced front line through Kayne Stubing and Matt Norris, supported by the midfield quartet of Scott Graham, Sam Wood, Luke Guest and Tom Holland.

Lloyd Oppelaar, Michael Lewington, Captain Jack Farrimond and Steve Ness patrolled the defensive lines in front of goalkeeper Kierran Guest. A couple early chances to Hahndorf got them off to a positive start, but unfortunately for the Magpies, they found themselves a goal down within ten minutes due to a speculative shot against the run of play.

Hahndorf set about restoring parity and a period of attacking pressure gained a corner. Holland played a sharp one-two with Norris before pinpointing a cross to Lewington on the far post. The big central defender made no mistake with his firm header, driving the ball into the net.

At 1-1,the match settled into a midfield battle with both Monarchs and Hahndorf creating a few chances but neither goalkeeper was unduly challenged, despite shots sliding through on goal. The Magpies slowly began the shade possession and a flowing move involving Lewington, LGuest and Holland found Norrris who had his shot blocked. The ball fell to Wood and he blasted a shot on target but a great save by the Monarch’s ‘keeper tipped it over the crossbar.

Just when it looked as if Hahndorf were in the ascendancy, the Monarchs retook the lead from a corner, a handling error in the slick conditions saw the ball squirm past the Hahndorf ‘keeper. The Magpies countered with neat set of passes down the spacious wing but the Monarchs had numbers in defence and Hahndorf could not get a clear shot on target.

Although Hahndorf seemed to be playing the better football, the Monarchs were looking to make every opportunity count. A quick break and through ball by the home side led them into the half time with their lead extended, their forward picking out a corner of the goal with only the exposed Magpie ‘keeper to beat.

Upon the restart, Hahndorf looked to bounce back into contention and an early chance showed the Magpies intent. The Monarchs too looked to add to their score but K. Guest was in good position to hold the efforts. Hahndorf persisted with their attacking frame of mind and were rewarded with a penalty. Norris stepped up to drive a firm shot that the Monarchs’ ‘keeper did well to reach but he could not keep the ball from bursting through his hands.

Hahndorf tried to maintain momentum, L.Guest finding space to centre for Graham but his shot was blocked and the follow up effort sail just over the Monarchs’ goal. The home side then tried their luck from distance, the effort catching Hahndorf out and the ball sailed over the Magpie ‘keeper and into the net to make the score 4-2 to the hosts.

The Magpies made a couple of substitutions, bringing on James Anderson and Kane Oppelaar to freshen up the midfield and get themselves back into the match. The action did not let up with both sides keen to add to the goal tally. Hahndorf made the score 4-3 with a well executed free kick, Holland driving a low shot past the defensive wall and under the diving ‘keeper.

The visitors picked up the pace and soon had levelled the match with a classy left footed drive from Anderson, the young recruit latching onto a throw-in and burying the ball from distance in the top corner. A revitalised Hahndorf team pushed hard for the winner in the remaining minutes, bringing Jesse Konstantinoff on to bolster the attacking stock.

K.Oppelaar almost made a memorable debut with a searing shot that forced the Monarchs’ ‘keeper to push the ball over the bar. The Magpies wasted the corner opportunity and the Monarchs went on the attack to also gain a corner. Hahndorf cleared the attack and pushed forward but could not get a good shot away on goal. With time running out, a sloppy back pass by the Magpies was intercepted by the Monarchs forward and he nipped past the goalkeeper to roll the ball into an empty net.

The end result was a bitter one for the visiting Magpies who had done enough for a least a draw, only to throw the points away in the final minutes. Best on the day was Tom Holland, who was outstanding all match closely followed by excellent games by Matt Norris and Sam Wood.

Reserves

After setting the match up in the first forty-five minutes, the Hahndorf Reserves endured a mid-match Monarchs revival before running out comfortable 2-5 winners.

The visiting Hahndorf team got off to a bright start under threatening skies, forwards Todd Newman and Jesse Konstantinoff sharp in the opening exchanges. Midfielders Jordan Webber, Lee Jennings and Kane Oppelaar were quick to exploit the tardy Monarch approach and the Magpies took the opening goal within five minutes of play.

Good work through the middle of the park set Konstantinoff in space on the edge of the penalty area and his pass found Webber clear on goal and the industrious Magpie made no mistake from close in. Five minutes later Hahndorf had doubled their lead, pouncing on some indifferent Monarchs play to deliver the ball to Newman and he scored with aplomb.

The Monarchs took stock of their poor start and fought to get back into the match, the Hahndorf defence of Scott Breaker, Tim Staniford, Andy Craig and Kyle Eglinton forced to counter some attacking moves and ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt made a few timely saves. Andy Jones patrolled the deep midfield and sought to cut out the origin of the Monarchs moves, leading to an engaging battle that lasted the entire match.

Oppelaar was in fine form down the flanks, exchanging play with Jennings and Webber to drive the Hahndorf attack. Newman and Konstantinoff were a constant threat and the Monarchs ‘keeper did well on several occasions to deny the pair. The spots of rain developed into a steady drizzle to dampen the spectators but not the drive of the Magpies and they added their third goal just before the break. Excellent work by Oppelaar culminated in a flighted ball to Newman and he comfortably put away the headed goal.

In the second stanza, the Magpies were keen to add to the score but despite some fine attacking moves, Hahndorf found the Monarchs defence in a more determined mood. Ash Parr made an entry into the game along with Ben “Beninho” Wells and the pair looked to make an impact immediately.

However it was the Monarchs who seized the initiative, capitalising on a couple of errors on the greasy surface and they scored two goals in ten minutes to get back into the match. Hahndorf answered with renewed vigour and a period of sustained pressure earned a penalty. However unusually, Konstantinoff hit the ball high and it cannoned off the crossbar and the rebound went wide. The Monarchs threw players into the forward line looking to overwhelm the Magpies but the visitors stood firm against the onslaught.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Hahndorf gained some breathing space when Breaker found space and showed his goal of last week was no fluke with a superb drive that fairly flew into the top corner of the net. The 2-4 score-line knocked the wind out of the sails of the Monarchs and Hahndorf regained control as the match started to wind down. With minutes left in the match, Parr added icing to the score with a searing drive from the edge of the box to give Hahndorf the 2-5 win.

It was a good, solid performance by all the Hahndorf players across the park, but Kane Oppelaar took the man of the match accolades with a stellar match. Notable also were Andy Jones and Andy Craig in cementing the Magpie defence.

Super Cs

The Super Cs started the days proceedings with their first win of the season, a resounding 4-1 win over the Monarchs’ Cs.
With the Monarchs not getting their full side out until twenty minutes into the match, it was somewhat of a surprise that they went into half time with a 1-0 lead. Multiple missed opportunities cost the Magpies but they remedied the situation with four unanswered goals. Ben Gordon-Edwards netted two goals with fine finishes, while Scott Schubert scored from the edge on the penalty area and young Lucas Podolski added a great fourth to put the result beyond doubt.

Next week the Hahndorf contingent travels to Findon to take on Adelaide Cougars in an important clash for all three teams.