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.