2012 round 9: Adelaide Vipers V Hahndorf Magpies

The Hahndorf Magpies struggled to find the back of the net in their 9th round match of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd division against the Adelaide Vipers, the home side taking advantage to win 5-1.

Injury and absence forced a few changes to the Magpies formation, enabling Scott Breaker to make his first team debut alongside fellow defenders, Michael Lewington, Todd Newman and Steve Noble. The recent drenching rains had left the pitch playable, but there were several slippery areas bereft of grass where players had trouble maintaining their feet.

However, it did not deter the hosting Vipers and they immediately got off the mark with a well-executed lob that beat Magpie custodian Andy Jones in the opening minutes of play. Hahndorf recovered from the early setback and the midfield of Lloyd Oppelaar, Tim Prince, Steve Ness and James Anderson began to adjust to the narrow confines of the pitch as the teams matched up in the opening period.

Scott Graham and Matt Norris began to trouble the Vipers’ backline but their sweeper sat deep and cleaned up the majority of the dangerous balls getting into Hahndorf’s forward line. A free kick out wide gave the hosts the route to their second goal, the free driven across the goal and was scrambled in by a wall of onrushing players.

Hahndorf fought to get back into the match and several attacks showed some promise. A free kick to the Magpies put them in good position and a challenge between Lewington and the Vipers’ ‘keeper saw the ball spill to Norris. A swift turn opened up a space for the big forward and he put away a fine, short volley into the far corner of the net.

At 2-1, the action on the pitch was beginning to heat up on the frigid day and the Vipers re-established their two goal buffer with a low shot that deceived Jones. The Magpie ‘keeper could could only push the ball into the path of a Viper forward who slammed it into goal. Prince almost answered for the Magpies, gliding past a few defenders and eluding the ’keeper but the ball ran away from him before he could take his shot.

The Vipers had a few more chances to add to the score but often shot over the crossbar, one ambitious strike endangering low flying aircraft. With the half drawing to a close, Graham had a chance to get a goal back for the Magpies but found his radar astray, firing wide of the target.

The second half started with purpose for Hahndorf and Norris again proved to be in good form, collecting a quick throw and letting fly with a sharp effort that the Vipers’ ‘keeper did well to collect. The home side hit back with some good possession but the Hahndorf defence held firm, Breaker and Newman being particularly effective.

The two sides traded possession but neither threatened the goal as the respective defences increased their vigilance. A free to Hahndorf was driven into the heart of the penalty area and caused some consternation for the Vipers but the Magpies could not capitalise on the occasion. The Vipers took advantage with a quick break that stretched the defence and the marauding forward picked out a lone accomplice who slotted the ball away to make it 4-1.

The Hahndorf defence found themselves under increasing pressure as the half wore on, but battled on gamely, Jones making a couple of fine saves to prevent further scoreboard pain. A second yellow gave one of the Magpies an early shower but the loss did not deter Hahndorf from trying to get back into the match.

With the match entering the final stages, the play went end to end but few real chances were created, until the final minute when the Vipers were able to scramble a final goal past the Magpies. The result was disappointing for the away team, where again they were competitive but lacked a cutting edge to get them a positive result. Best on the day was Matt Norris with another fine performance in the forward line, with Scott Breaker and Todd Newman also with solid defence.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves tried to regain their earlier season form but once again errors proved costly with the Vipers eventually running out 5-1 victors.

The Reserves match took place on the Vipers main ground, the faint line markings making it difficult for both sets of players to get their bearings, a cone on either side of the pitch serving to indicate the approximate position of the halfway line. Hahndorf began with Jesse Konstantinoff and the experienced Chris Hyde leading the frontline with Kyle Eglinton, Jordan Webber, Kierran Guest and Lee Jennings patrolling the central regions.

Both teams made a steady start in the opening exchanges, with the Vipers shading possession. The Magpies tried to build from the back through Ben “Beninho” Wells, Tim Staniford, Andy Craig and Angus Hambrook but a short pass by Craig set the Vipers up with the opening score, giving custodian Vaughan Barratt little chance.

The home side pressed for more, however the Hahndorf defence weathered the barrage with Staniford and Barratt showing some fine form. The Magpies started to move the ball through the middle with the midfielders gaining more possession. A fine through ball released Konstantinoff and he had a great one on one opportunity to equalise but a good save by the Vipers’ ‘keeper denied Hahndorf.

The Magpies slowly started making ground on the Vipers and other foray into the Vipers’ area drew a penalty after fine approach play by Jennings. Konstantinoff stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, drilling the ball low into the net to restore parity. The goal lifted Hahndorf and they played with greater belief for the remainder of the half.

During the break, new line markings materialised, a dazzling contrast even under grey skies. However, the Hahndorf Reserves began the second half with their concentration dulled and still in the dressing room, the Vipers scoring two goals within five minutes of the restart. A Vipers player escaped to the back post and a decent pass set him up for a simple shot to make it 2-1. Still recovering from the early strike, Hahndorf conceded minutes later through an own goal, a defensive header missing Barratt and finding the net.

The Magpies tried to regain the momentum they developed in the opening half and had several passages of fine, flowing football. However, a highly contentious penalty awarded after twenty-five minutes swung the match decisively in the home sides favour. Former Magpie Paul Charles and Hambrook collided and both fell over the ball, the referee adjudging from afar that the ball had struck the Hahndorf defender’s hand whilst he was on the ground.

The resultant goal took the a little steam out of Hahndorf’s intensity, however substitutes Ben Simpson and Scott Bonnar added some spark, the former lashing a shot wide of goal with his first touch. The Magpies continued to battle hard but found luck had deserted them at either end of the pitch, a contested ball prodded past Barratt by his own defender in the final minutes.

The 1-5 result mirrored that of the First team and like them, the Reserves are having trouble converting chances whilst paying dearly for errors at the back. Best on the day for Hahndorf was ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt, who made some excellent saves over the ninety minutes, with Tim Staniford and Kyle Eglinton providing a steadying influence through out the day.

Super Cs
The Hahndorf Super Cs remained a beacon of light for the club as they continued their run of good form with a convincing 1-4 win over the Vipers.

Playing on an adjacent pitch that seemed superior to that used by the Firsts and Reserves, the Magpies battled showers and a fiercely cold wind to forge a winning formula of youth and experience. Goals to Scott Bonnar, Scott Schubert, Nat Stewart and John Lawler eclipsed the single Viper reply to continue the Magpies climb up the league ladder.

Next week all three Hahndorf teams are again playing away with a trip to Henley Beach where they will take on the Adelaide Titans.