2012 Round 6: Hahndorf Magpies V Gleeson

Hahndorf Magpies V Gleeson
Hahndorf and Gleeson fought out an entertaining nil-all draw in a battle between the league strugglers, both sides showing the intensity to win but unable to convert the chances on offer.

The first taste of winter weather this season greeted the teams at Pine Avenue, the ground subject to several showers during the match to provide a slippery but firm surface for the 6th Round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd Division.

Hahndorf began the first half attacking with the slope, forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and James Anderson keen to test the Gleeson defence. The conditions made ball control a premium and both sets of players took time to adjust their passing range. Jordan Webber, Steve Ness, Tim Prince and Captain Jack “Sparrow” Farrimond were engaged in the midfield, the main battleground of the match, and the quartet found the environment to their liking.

The Magpies had a good chance early in the match; Anderson found himself in a prime position but poked his shot over the crossbar from close in when he should have done better. Gleeson tested the Magpies defence with a few forward forays but custodian Andy Jones was not troubled in the early going, Ash Parr, Todd Newman Matt Norris and Chris Sawers providing a solid defensive barrier.

A combination involving Sawers, Ness and Anderson put Konstantinoff in with an opportunity, but latching onto Anderson’s cross, the marksman’s first time shot blazed over the bar. The Magpies were keen to maintain their forward momentum and Anderson was bowled over by a bustling Webber as both players tried to finish off a good move by Hahndorf.

Gleeson hit back with some good attacking play and Jones had to be alert to keep out a couple of shots as both teams fought out a tight tussle with neither gaining the ascendancy. After his lengthy layoff, Sawers returned in fine form, intercepting play and launching Hahndorf into attack with some precision passing.

A neat move by Hahndorf saw Parr and Anderson team up to serve Konstantinoff with a cutback ball on the edge of the penalty area. Konstantinoff turned one way then another to elude three Gleeson players at close quarters but couldn’t complete his piece of brilliance, slicing his shot wide with the ‘keeper to beat.

Hahndorf continued to pressure the Gleeson defence in the later stages of the half, with Anderson particularly busy, but clear chances were rare. The first forty-five minutes ended with the scoreboard unchanged with both Hahndorf and Gleeson locked in a close battle, the hosts arguably having the better chances.

The second stanza continued the theme that was established in the first, the respective defences largely on top despite the best efforts of the forwards. The play was confined to the midfield with each side having periods of possession but unable to turn this into any clear shooting opportunities. Anderson was unrelenting in his forward role, harassing the Gleeson defence at every opportunity while Farrimond was busy robbing the visitors of midfield momentum.

A knock to Norris ended his match prematurely and while he was capably replaced by Scott Graham, it caused the Hahndorf defence to undergo some rearrangement. These changed the complexion of the match in the last twenty minutes as Gleeson desperately sort a breakthrough goal. The visitors held Hahndorf under pressure for large passages of play but some good defending by the Magpies and some very wayward shooting by Gleeson kept the slate clean.

The Magpies brought on Kane Oppelaar on to relieve some tired legs as the pressure mounted on the hosts. Prince provided some relief with a promising run in the forward line before being fouled but Hahndorf wasted the resulting free kick. Gleeson went on the attack and Jones made a spectacular save to keep parity as Gleeson edged closer to finding a goal. Parr chipped in with a great clearance off the line and the visitors continued to spray shots wide of the target.

The Magpies held firm in the remaining minutes with Gleeson seeking a way through the miserly Hahndorf defence before the referee ended the match. The draw opens the account for the Magpies and they will look to build on the result in further matches. Best on the day was Chris Sawers who made a tremendous return to first team football, with valuable contributions from James Anderson and Steve Ness. Captain Jack “Sparrow” Farrimond was also notable for his plundering role in the heart of midfield.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered their biggest loss of the season in a forgettable match where Gleeson took took full toll of the opportunities that befell them.

The visitors got off to a blistering start on a day of patchy showers, Hahndorf were tentative on the slippery ground and Gleeson took advantage of some hesitancy to poke a quick goal past goalkeeper Vaughan Barratt. Before the Magpies could settle the visitors added a second, a angled finish after the Gleeson winger escaped his marker and placed a shot into the corner.

Hahndorf regrouped and began to recover from their tardy start, the midfield of Stuart Thomas and Kyle Eglinton with Kane and Lloyd Oppelaar getting to grips with conditions. Forwards David Grant and Scott Bonnar found more of the ball and the Magpies created some decent scoring chances.

Andy Craig, Scott Breaker, Tim Staniford and Samuel Putalla tightened up the defence and Hahndorf pushed the ball around with more surety. The hosts suffered a blow when Thomas left the pitch with an injury, giving Ben Wells a run in the middle. After having a number of good chances, Hahndorf managed to pull a goal back, Grant forging a run down the wing and putting in a fine cross. Bonnar and a defender challenged for the flighted ball and it ballooned to the edge of the penalty area where K Oppelaar drove a sumptuous volley low into the net.

Hahndorf picked up the pace and should have added a second soon after when Bonnar was put through, however the ‘keeper managed to unbalance the speedy forward as he went past and Bonnar crashed his shot against the post.
Gleeson responded with some close chances but could not find the net as both teams went into half time with the match largely in the balance.

The start of the second half mirrored the first with Gleeson getting a quick goal soon after the restart. They added a fourth soon after when a deflection off the referee fell fortuitously for Gleeson and wrong-footed the Hahndorf players.

The Magpies tried to hit back but despite getting into promising positions, they could not find the net, either through shots missing the target or making one pass too many in the penalty area. Gleeson had no such trouble and scored from a corner, the ball driven into the six-yard box where Gleeson were the first to react and stick it in the net.

The shell-shocked Magpies kept pushing to find another goal and after Breaker put in a fine free kick, Craig should have added their second but he sent his header just over the bar. Soon after, Craig’s match got worse when he mistimed a tackle and conceded a penalty that was despatched for Gleeson’s sixth score.

Hahndorf stuck to their game plan and continued to threaten the Gleeson goal but found their finishing not equal to their approach play. Gleeson added salt into the wounds with a final score, driving an low shot past a crowd of players after the Magpies half cleared a corner.

Despite the score, the Magpies showed fight to the end of a very bad day and hope to turn their fortunes around in two weeks time. Best on the day was Lloyd Oppelaar with a strong, pivotal presence, with good support from Scott Bonnar, backing up after Super Cs duty and the reliable Scott Breaker.


Super Cs
The Super Cs suffered a 0-3 loss to Gleeson in what looked to be a fairly even contest, both teams doing well in the conditions but the visitors making the most of their chances.

Next week the Magpies have the week off due to a bye and will use the time to rest some players and to get others off the injury list. Action returns to the Pine Avenue Arena in two weeks time when the Reserves take on Croydon Cougars on the 9th of June in the 2nd round of the Cup competition.

2012 Round 5: Adelaide Red Blue Eagles V Hahndorf Magpies

Adelaide Red Blue Eagles V Hahndorf Magpies
Hahndorf paid dearly for errors in the final fifteen minutes of play in round 5 of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd division, and suffered a frustrating 0-3 loss in what otherwise was a tight contest against league leaders the Adelaide Red Blue Eagles.

Hahndorf made a few positional changes in an attempt to reverse their recent run of results, bringing Luke Guest into defence alongside Todd Newman, the versatile Matt Norris and Ash Parr. The new formation began well, containing the Red Blue Eagles dangerous forward line, with Skipper Jack Farrimond back in midfield with great support from Sam Wood, Steve Ness and Tom Holland.

The opening stanza was a fairly even affair, despite the very patchy and uneven surface making life difficult for both sets of players, the Beverley ground reflecting its decaying industrial surrounds. The Eagles pushed forward to pressure the Hahndorf defence but the Magpies held firm as they adjusted to the vagaries of the pitch. A couple of shots at goal did not trouble Magpie custodian Andy Jones and Hahndorf began to build up their passing game.

Michael Lewington was putting himself about in the forward line, the big striker proving a difficult proposition for the home side with his robust style and he was joined up front by Jesse Konstantinoff. The match was highly competitive and after being involved in a couple of tough clashes, Wood had to leave the pitch and was replaced by Kane Stubing.

Stubing wasted no time in getting into the play and brought a high ball down on his chest before laying off for Konstantinoff, but his shot rolled past the far post. Further chances were created by the Magpies with Farrimond collecting a deflected Guest free kick but blasting high over the crossbar. It was however encouraging signs from the visitors as they closed out the half with the better share of possession.

The Red Blue Eagles emerged from the break with some strong opening moves and Jones made a vital save to keep the score sheet blank and it remained that way despite some good chances falling to the hosts. Hahndorf rallied through strong work by Norris, Ness and Farrimond as the match went end to end but neither side could get a clear shot on target.

Entering the final fifteen minutes, a lapse by the Magpies caught them out, a quick throw went to an unmarked Red Blue Eagle and he burst through on goal and beat the Magpie ‘keeper with a good finish. Hahndorf looked to get the goal straight back, bringing on the fresh legs of Tim Prince. Both teams continued to push forward, trying to score but chances were rare. The Red Blue Eagles went close but a point blank header was deflected over by Newman.

Hahndorf brought on their final substitution, with youngster James Anderson thrown into the forward line as the Magpies chased the equaliser. However, it was the hosts who increased their lead, a missed back-pass was pounced on by the Eagles and they punished the sloppy play, beating Jones in the one-on-one situation. With less than five minutes remaining, the Magpies threw away any chance of getting back into the match when they were caught in possession and once again the Eagles put away the one-on-one chance for a 3-0 score line.

It was a frustrating end for the Magpies who were competitive with the Eagles but could not sustain the intensity for the full ninety minutes. Best on the day was Jack Farrimond, with Steve Ness and Matt Norris in close company while Luke Guest also drew praise for his efforts in an unfamiliar role.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves put in a dominant second half display but profligate finishing could not overhaul the 3-0 first half lead of the Red Blue Eagles.

The Magpies found themselves on the back foot in the opening exchanges, Tim Staniford, Scott Breaker with veterans Stuart “el Presidente” Thomas and Andy Craig under pressure as the Magpies took time to adjust to the uncomfortable bounce of the pitch. Craig gave away a needless free kick in a promising position and the Red Blue Eagles took advantage of lax marking to open the scoring with a finish from close in.

Kyle Eglinton, Scott Graham and the Oppelaar brothers, Lloyd and Kane, tried to get the Hahndorf midfield going and a few forays into the final third of the pitch gave forwards Jordan Webber and Angus Hambrook a couple of sights on goal.

However, it was the hosts who added another goal, hesitation in the penalty area by the Magpies was swooped upon by the overlapping Red Blue Eagle and he slotted into the corner of goal. Hahndorf rallied with Webber getting some chances but Hahndorf could not make them count as they began to move the ball with more assurance.

Play continued to ebb and flow and within the shadow of half time, some good possession by the hosts created space and an untracked Eagle bundled in a third goal despite a tremendous initial save by ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt,.

Hahndorf brought on David Grant and Kayne Stubing to start the second half and the Magpies began to push the ball around well. Using good support and intelligent movement, Hahndorf took hold of the midfield and put the pressure onto the Red Blue Eagles. Graham found himself in space and unleashed a fierce drive but the ‘keeper was equal to the task as Hahndorf went searching for a breakthrough goal.

A final substitution saw Chris Sawers enter the match after a long absence and the Magpies stretched the Eagles on the flanks with the speed of Stubing and Sawers. L. Oppelaar was dictating play, linking well with Graham, Stubing, Grant and Webber but with several chances falling to the Magpies, they could not find the back of the net.

The visitors had very few attacks in the second half but did hit the crossbar from a free kick, however the Hahndorf defence worked hard to contain most of the offensive threats. The Magpies continued to dominate possession and Grant had a great chance, the wily Scot forcing a diving save from the Eagles custodian. Stubing and Sawers earned several good opportunities but the Magpies could not force the ball into the net, with a couple of chances just scooting wide of goal.

The match ended with the Magpie Reserves wondering what may have been, had their finishing been better. Despite the end result, the second half by the Magpies was very encouraging with their possession and passing and once they get their shooting boots in order, the future looks promising. Best on the day was Scott Breaker with another excellent defensive display with fine support from Lloyd Oppelaar and Stuart Thomas.


Super Cs
In a commanding display the Super Cs provided the highlights for Hahndorf, starting the day’s matches with a 2-4 win over the Red Blue Eagles.

The Magpies got off to a fine start through Swiss Express Sam, carving his way through the defence before being unceremoniously fouled in the penalty area. Taking the penalty kick himself, he drove the goal home with clockwork precision to open Hahndorf’s account. Scott Bonnar added two more goals in fine style with the Magpies enjoying the majority of possession, veteran Bob Edwards directing the play like a young Franz Beckenbauer.

After the break, Hahndorf let the Red Blue Eagles back into the match with two goals to make it 2-3, but Ben Stewart sealed it for the visitors with a cultured goal that halted the momentum of the home side.

Next week all three teams return to Pine Avenue Arena, where they will take on Gleeson, a fixture that will have major implications for both sides.

2012 Cup Round 1

First team: Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide Wanderers

A makeshift Hahndorf battled hard all day against Premier league opponents, the Adelaide Wanderers, however consistency rewarded the visitors with a 0-4 win.

Hahndorf took the opportunity to rest some players and try new formations in their clash against the Adelaide Wanderers, with their eye more focussed on League standings. Despite this, the Magpies put up a good effort against the slick Wanderers unit and nullified the attacking zeal of the visitors until just before half time. A well worked move by the Wanderers opened the Magpies up and the goal was slotted into the bottom corner.

The first half endeavour by Hahndorf created some good opportunities but they snatched at the chances and did not get the reward some of their play deserved. The assured, quick passing of the Wanderers showed the step up in quality between the Premier and 2nd divisions but Hahndorf showed great fighting spirit to make the match highly contestable.

A free kick to the Wanderers gave them a two nil lead in the second half, the ball squeezing under the Hahndorf custodian when he felt he could have done better. Further box to box action saw both teams create chances but again Hahndorf could not capitalise on their good work and the Wanderers were astray with their efforts. It wasn’t until the final ten minutes that the Wanderers added a third and then rounded out the day with a very late fourth.

The result was not unexpected but Hahndorf put up a fine effort to make the match entertaining and now the Magpies will regroup to focus on their League aspirations, starting with the away trip to the Adelaide Redblue Eagles.


Reserves Cup: Western Strikers V Hahndorf Magpies

A late equaliser by the Western Strikers forced the Hahndorf Reserves to dig deep and the Magpies responded to scored two extra time goals and advance to the next round of the cup with a 4-2 triumph.

The Magpies went into the Cup tie with a rearranged team, putting Vaughan Barratt between the sticks with Steve Noble, Tim Staniford, Scott Breaker and Andy Craig forming the defensive line. “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas anchored the midfield containing Scott Graham, Kyle Eglinton and Jordan Webber, while Matt Norris and Kayne Stubing led the attack.

The wide open expanses of the Royal Park ground gave both teams the opportunity to spread play around as each looked for an early lead. The Strikers looked assured on their own patch, using the wings to good effect and after fifteen minutes, a fine cross gave them the opening the score with a neat finish at the far post.

The Magpies did not panic and began to string some good passages of play together and they had some chances on goal through Stubing and Webber. Graham was industrious in the middle and found Webber just outside the penalty area. Unleashing a sizzling drive, Webber picked out the top left corner of goal, giving the Strikers ‘keeper no chance with his classy strike.

With parity restored, the match settled and the teams traded periods of possession but were unable to convert any chances before half time, the Strikers having several ineffectual corners while Hahndorf’s shots went astray.

Hahndorf continued to build their game after the half time break, spreading the ball across the width of the pitch and had several opportunities to take the lead. Stubing and Graham continued to get into forward positions and after some quick exchanges, Graham put the Magpies up 2-1, rifling a low shot under the ’keeper and into goal.

The Magpies looked to have added a third soon after but a late offside call ruled out the score. The Strikers battled to get an equaliser but Craig and Thomas marshalled the defence to deny the hosts any easy shots. Time drew on and both teams were beginning to tire as the vast surface took its toll. Breaker, Staniford and Noble continued to keep the Strikers at bay but with minutes remaining the hosts equalised after getting behind the defence and finding the net from a tight angle.

Going into extra time the Magpies pushed the ball around well to get their speedy forwards in on goal. The Strikers had chances too but continued to shoot from outside the penalty area and these did not trouble Barratt. Hahndorf’s patient approach paid off when Webber put in his second goal, the rambunctious midfielder drilling the ball into the net after a fine Hahndorf build up.

In the second period of extra time, fatigue began to plague both sets of players and the match was stretched all over the ground. The Strikers tried to equalise but the Magpie defence held firm and the hosts resorted to speculative long shots. With five minutes left Hahndorf sealed the match through Stubing, the pacy forward collecting the ball and firing a searing drive into the top, right corner of goal where only the spiders live.

Hhandorf survived a couple of late flurries from the Strikers but the backline remained resolute to the end to complete a fine win. All players did extremely well given the unfamiliar mix, with notable contributions from Breaker, Thomas and Craig and fine offensive efforts by Graham, Stubing and Webber.

Next week it is back to league action when the Firsts, Reserves and Super Cs travel to Beverley to take on the Adelaide Redblue Eagles.

2012 Round 4: Hahndorf Magpies V Modbury Jets

Hahndorf Magpies V Modbury Jets

Hahndorf were again left with the bitter taste of defeat after the visiting Modbury Jets blitzed the Magpies with early scores on their way to six unanswered goals.

Under grey skies, the 4th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd division started badly for the hosting Magpies, with defenders Steve Ness, Michael Lewington, Jack Farrimond and Ash Parr under pressure from the organised Jets. Goalkeeper Andy Jones could do little to prevent the opening goal that arrived in the first five minutes of play, a Hahndorf own goal derived from a major deflection.

The visitors pressed forward and circumvented the Magpies midfield of Sam Wood, Tim Prince, James Anderson and Tom Holland. Ness found himself outnumbered on the wing and a quick pass made it two nil as a swooping Jets' forward scooped the ball past Jones. Hahndorf’s awful start was compounded soon after when a Jets' player, doing his best Ashley Young impersonation, was awarded a very dubious penalty and it was duly converted.

The Magpies battled to get back into the match with Matt Norris and Kayne Stubing making their presence felt in the attacking third, however meaningful shots were few and far between. The Magpies midfield and defence were stretched all over the park by the Jets' quick movement on and off the ball and despite some courageous defence by Lewington, the visitors added a further two goals before the end of the half.

Hahndorf made a better showing in the match after the break, likely due to some stimulating half time chat by the coaching staff and picked up their game. Norris remained a target man in the forward line and won the majority of the aerial duels he contested. Holland, Prince and Wood battled hard to wrestle possession from the Jets, however Hahndorf’s passing often let them down and at times they gave the ball away cheaply.

The Magpies persisted however and created some good chances, one when Norris sent a well-weighted ball through to Stubing but the usually reliable forward could only produce a tame shot that did not test the ‘keeper. The Jets responded with a period of neat play but could not break the Magpies defence and the match went end to end with neither team able to create a clear chance.

A corner to the Magpies did not bring a much desired goal and a quick break by the Jets caught the hosts napping, a run down the wing drew the defence and a neat pass was rolled across the goal for an easy tap in at the far post for the visitor’s sixth score.

Hahndorf made some substitutions, bringing on Jesse Konstantinoff and Kane Oppelaar as the Magpies endeavoured to get on the scoreboard. A few attacks drew promise but the Jets were well organised to repel the forays forward. Konstantinoff made some good progress but found his path to goal strewn with defenders and Holland created space for an opportunistic shot but the ball passed just over the bar.

The result magnified the gulf between the two teams and the Magpies will have to lift their game considerably to progress up the table. Their task has not been made any easier with a few key defenders absent or on the injury list. Hahndorf's best on ground was Matt Norris, who battled hard all day with Michael Lewington and Tom Holland with solid performances.


Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered their first defeat of the season when they failed to hold on to a lead and were overwhelmed in the later stages of the match to go down 2-4 in a hard fought contest.

Hahndorf began with their experienced pair of strikers, Chris Hyde and Jesse Konstantinoff leading from the front with a strong midfield containing Lee Jennings, Kyle Eglinton and the Oppelaar brothers, Kane and Lloyd. However it was the defensive unit that were busy in the opening exchanges, Tim Staniford, Scott Breaker, Kierran Guest and veteran Andy Craig providing cover for goalkeeper Vaughan Barratt.

Hahndorf slowly emerged from their tardy start and found the flanks a fertile ground to go on the offensive. It was almost the first genuine attack that brought the opening goal for the Magpies, the Oppelaar brothers combining to deliver a fine cross for Konstantinoff to bury a firm header inside the front post. The good start of the Magpies was tempered soon after when an injury befell Hyde and he was replaced by Angus “House” Hambrook.

Hahndorf continued to exploit the wings with K Oppelaar being particularly productive and the Magpies should have made more of their chances. The Jets hit back with a series of corners and eventually after a number of opportunities they equalised late in the half, a corner hitting the back of the Jets player and looping in.

Hahndorf had the chance to retake the lead almost immediately after K Oppelaar swung in a lovely corner kick but Craig misdirected his header wide of the beckoning goal.

The second half saw a battle for the midfield in which the visitors began to have a greater share of possession. Hahndorf brought on Ben “Beninho” Wells with thirty minutes remaining to partner with Hambrook up front. After a period of pressure from the Jets, the Magpies advanced through L Oppelaar when he put the makeshift forward combination into a good position. A slick Hambrook pass gifted Wells a one-on-one with the ‘keeper and using his Xbox FIFA 12 experience, Wells lifted a short lob over the advancing custodian for a 2-1 score.

The lead was brief however and a tidy move by the Jets opened up the middle of the park and a well-placed shot found the bottom corner of the net. The visitors continued to press Hahndorf and soon had the lead with a powerful shot bursting through Barratt’s hands into goal.

Hahndorf tried to respond in the dying minutes but could not get a clear shot on target and then the Jets sealed the match with a fourth goal tap in at the back post. The result was disappointing for the Magpies and shows that despite their good start to the season, they have a few challenges to solve if they are to keep up with the frontrunners. the Magpies best on the day was the outstanding Lloyd Oppelaar, with good support from Kane Oppelaar and Scott Breaker.

Super Cs
The Super Cs dominated large sections of their match against the Modbury Jets, but could not make it count on the scoreboard, going down 1-4 in an engaging battle. After giving the Jets a one goal lead, the Magpies levelled just after half time with a fine finish by Dave Kinlough, latching onto Dan Mardle’s centring cross. However the Jets capitalised on some defensive lapses to put in a further three goals to take the win.

Next week is the first round of the Cup with the First team having a difficult tie when they host Premier division side, the Adelaide Wanderers on Saturday at the Pine Avenue Arena. The Reserves also face a stiff challenge when they travel to Royal Park on Sunday to take on 2nd division side, the Western Strikers.

2012 Round 3: Croydon Cougars V Hahndorf Magpies

Croydon Cougars V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf squandered an opportunity for a good result against the Croydon Cougars, losing concentration in the final ten minutes to concede late goals in a high scoring 6-3 encounter.

The 3rd round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd division clash between the Cougars and the Magpies took place at Findon on a rough, uneven pitch in contrast to the splendid autumn weather. The visitors went into the game with a similar formation to the previous week, with Kierran Guest in goal behind a defensive line containing Steve Ness, Jack Farrimond, Todd Newman and Lloyd Oppelaar.

Tim Prince and Michael Lewington anchored the central midfield while Kane Oppelaar and Sam Wood patrolled the flanks with Hahndorf’s attack led by Matt Norris and Tom Holland. The Magpies started on the front foot but suffered an early setback when Newman sustained an injury, forcing the defence to be reshuffled and bringing on James Anderson as a replacement.

The Cougars pressed forward with intent and drew Guest into a couple of crucial saves, one a tip over the bar from a close range header and then doing brilliantly in a one-on-one situation. Holland answered back for the visitors, latching onto a through ball but, after beating the ‘keeper to the ball, he lobbed his shot wide of goal. The match settled and Hahndorf held some quality possession with L Oppelaar, Holland, Prince and Anderson stringing a fine series of passes together.

It was then a surprise when, somewhat against the run of play, the Cougars scored, an innocuous shot eluding Guest and squeezing under him for the opening goal. With the lead, the Cougars took to the match with more purpose and forced Hahndorf onto the back foot with a period of offensive pressure.

Norris rallied forward for the Magpies and a fine charging run earned Hahndorf a corner. Holland drilled the set piece into the heart of the Cougar’s goalmouth and amid the panicked defenders, Norris poked the ball into the net to restore parity. Hahndorf almost took the lead soon after when the vagaries of the pitch caused a Cougars defender to stumble and fall over the ball and Norris swept in to pass to K Oppelaar. The sharp midfielder unleashed a powerful, swerving drive that had the Cougars’ ‘keeper at full stretch to tip the ball centimetres past the goalpost.

After the half time break, the hosts got off to the best possible start, finding a sharp through ball that the Cougars’ forward pounced on and tucked past the Hahndorf ‘keeper. At 2-1 up the Cougars searched for more goals and sensing some confusion in the Hahndorf camp they added a third from a headed corner.

Believing they had a match winning lead the hosts relaxed a little and allowed the Magpies to claw their way into the match. Prince, Wood and Holland were beginning to control possession and after a steady period of pressure Norris made it 3-2 with a fine strike after a subtle lay off by Lewington.

Hahndorf increased their work rate and set about finding the equaliser, the Magpies finding larger spaces in the midfield. Holland made a dashing run down the flank before a clever backheel set Ness up and he delivered a pinpoint cross to Norris. The big forward made no mistake to plant his powerful header past a despairing ‘keeper for his and Hahndorf’s third goal.

With ten minutes to play, the match kicked up a gear as the Magpies tried to maintain their momentum and grab the lead. A foray forward almost brought reward but L Oppelaar blasted his shot over the crossbar. The Cougars responded and took advantage of some lax marking to put away a goal to make it 4-3. Buoyed by the restoration of their lead, the home side put the Hahndorf defence under intense scrutiny and within minutes had scrambled home a fifth goal.

Further misery befell the Magpies when an errant clearance went to a Cougar forward and he slotted another goal just minutes from the final whistle. The Magpies will feel frustrated that again they let valuable points escape their grasp after working hard to get the match back onto an even keel and no doubt the coaching staff will be addressing their defence woes before next week. Best for Hahndorf on the day was Matt Norris, his outstanding performance including all three goals for the Magpies. Tom Holland and Sam Wood also put in fine efforts with solid games from Prince and Anderson.


Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves fought out a highly contested draw with the Cougars, neither side able to break through the opposition defence over the course of the match.

In the opening exchanges, the Magpies took a while to get used to the bounce and run of the ground, allowing the Cougars to put pressure on defenders Tim Staniford, Ash Parr, Andy Craig and Scott Breaker. The defence held firm and Magpies ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt had few genuine shots to contend with. The Hahndorf midfield began to make their presence felt with James Anderson, Andy Jones, Angus “House” Hambrook and Jordan Webber working their way into the match.

The Cougars however continued to pressure Hahndorf and the home side almost scored but Barratt tipped a searing shot over the bar to deny the goal. Hahndorf was doing well in repelling the forward drive of the hosts with Breaker in outstanding form and ably supported by his defensive compatriots

Hahndorf created a few scoring chances through Chris Hyde and Jesse Konstantinoff but Hahndorf failed to really test the Cougars custodian in the opening half. The Magpies best opportunity arrived after Konstantinoff earned a free just outside the penalty area. Craig almost caught the Cougars napping with a quick shot but a lone defender had drifted back head the ball away to safety.

In the second half, Hahndorf increased their presence in the midfield and the match was largely played between the two penalty areas, with neither team able to get a clear shot on goal. Hahndorf coach, Mark McGrath began a series of substitutions over the final thirty minutes, bringing on Kyle Eglinton, Ben “Beninho” Wells and Gary Ledson to sustain the intensity, as players started to tire.

A free to Hahndorf provided a good chance to score and Hyde struck a fine curling shot but the Cougars’ ‘keeper made an equally fine save to deny a score. The play went end to end with both teams trying to get the vital goal that would probably settle the match. The Cougars got a great chance with a free right on the edge of the penalty spot but the Magpies wall did its job and the effort cannoned off the wall and away from goal.

A final flurry by the Cougars drew out a tremendous save by Barratt, beating away a well hit shot from an angle and the Magpies cleared the resultant corner to safety before the referee called the match to an end. It was a solid performance from the Magpie Reserves and keeps them in good shape on the league ladder. Best on the day was James Anderson, with great support from Scott Breaker and Vaughan Barratt.

Super Cs

The Super Cs kicked off the day at Findon with a disappointing 2-0 loss, a goal in each half giving the Cougars the win. Hahndorf struggled to find their rhythm on the uneven surface and poor control led to both sides giving up cheap possession throughout the match. Hahndorf had a great chance to equalise just after half time but blasted the shot over the bar from close in.

Next week Hahndorf returns home to the Pine Avenue Arena where all three teams will be taking on the Modbury Jets.