2012 Round 11: Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide Monarchs

Hahndorf failed to make the most of their chances in Saturdays outing against the Adelaide Monarchs, going down 1-3 in an engaging and highly contested match.

A sparkling winter's day provided the backdrop for the two teams to rekindle a rivalry going back to the mid nineties, the Magpies and Monarchs often producing keenly fought meetings. Hahndorf started with Matt Norris and Aaron Noble in attacking roles, supported by Steven Ness, Scott Graham, Kane Oppelaar and Chris Sawers.

Both teams were eager to take the initiative and Hahndorf began confidently, pushing the ball around well on the good surface. Several forays forward by both sides could not penetrate the respective defences, Hahndorf featuring two new faces with Alexander Neary and Jeremy Prevett making their debuts. Ash Parr, Scott Breaker and goalkeeper Andy Jones completed the new formation as the Magpies looked to build a cohesive defence.

The match settled after the initial opening flurries and the midfield provided the stage for the arm wrestle that continued throughout the match. The versatile Parr was in tremendous form with some timely tackles and interceptions, his rapacious attack on the ball a highlight as he dispossessed opponents and delivered to the forward line.

With genuine chances on goal sparse, the opening score by the Monarchs surprised Hahndorf, an opening on the flank quickly exploited and then a well hit shot finding the net. The goal inspired the visitors and minutes later a searing shot passed just over the crossbar.

Hahndorf had a chance to equalise when Neary went on an overlapping run deep into the Monarchs’ penalty area but his cross found the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper instead of Norris on the back post. Soon after, Hahndorf committed the cardinal sin of not playing to the whistle, a Monarchs attack flagged offside by the linesman and the home team stopping for the obvious infringement but the referee choosing to ignore the call. The Monarchs continued to play and drove the ball past the static goalkeeper to record a controversial second goal.

A mix up in defence almost let the Monarchs in when a long kick by the goalkeeper was allowed to bounce and the visitors jumped on the chance, but fortunately for Hahndorf it was only the post that was shaken and not the net. Hahndorf regrouped and created several good chances before the break, Norris going closest with a header from a free kick after some great approach play by Sawers.

The second half began with the Monarchs in confident form and it required some smart defence by Hahndorf to prevent a score, Prevett and Parr again prominent. Hahndorf worked the midfield well but the Monarchs were the ones taking shots, one stunning effort from thirty metres crashing into the crossbar. Sawers hit back for the Magpies, latching onto a diagonal ball from Ness but his effort was blocked by the retreating defence.

A period of sustained pressure by the Monarchs resulted in their third goal, a midfield tussle won by the visitors and a quick set of passes getting the forward past Jones for the score. Hahndorf battled to get back into the match but could not hit the target. A persevering play by Sawers held the ball in the penalty box after a corner but Prevett scooped the centred ball wide.

Hahndorf increased the tempo and Noble slide a great ball to Norris but he also shot wide. Norris persisted and went closer soon after, hitting the post after getting in a good position. Noble retrieved the rebound and drilled the ball into the net from the proverbial impossible angle to make it 1-3. With twenty minutes remaining there was still plenty to play for and the Magpies brought on Steve Noble and Kierran Guest in the push for more goals.

Possession in the midfield continued to be highly sought after with a few willing tackles starting to emerge. A Noble drew a great save from the Monarchs’ ‘keeper after firing a blistering shot at goal, the Magpies moving the ball quickly into the forward line to create the chance. The intensity picked up and some late challenges drew ire from both teams as deepening shadows moved across the ground.

The Monarchs had a good chance on a counter attack but a great lunging block by Guest saved the Magpies on the last line of defence. A Noble continued to be a thorn in the side of the Monarchs’ defence and after some enterprising play he set up Norris, however the big centre forward shot wide.

With the clock almost expired, an unnecessary challenge led to some handbags at two yards and threatened to overshadow an entertaining match, but the referee stepped in and restored order moments before the final whistle. The result leaves Hahndorf with a difficult task to rescue their season in which they have been competitive but having little to show for their efforts. Man of the match for Hahndorf was Ash Parr, who was outstanding in an unfamiliar position, with Alexander Neary and Matt Norris prominent all game.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves held possession for large sections of their match against the Monarchs but could not transform that into goals, losing out 1-2 after a late strike by the visitors.

The Magpies were keen to turn their recent results around and began the match in positive fashion, the opening exchanges giving Hahndorf plenty of possession and time to build their passing game. The defence of Angus “House” Hambrook, Stuart “El Presidente”Thomas, Andy Craig and Swiss maestro Sam Putallaz kept the Monarchs from any serious attack on Vaughan Barratt’s goal and provided the foundation for movement through the midfield.

The visitors had a few wayward shots from distance while Hahndorf developed their play from the back and through the midfield quartet of David Grant, Lloyd Oppelaar, Tim Prince and young tearaway James Anderson. Strikers Luke Guest and Jordan Webber had several good chances to score, both players put through on goal but some desperate defending blocked their efforts as Hahndorf tried to turn their early dominance into goals.

The Magpies patience paid off after twenty-five minutes, Craig heading a Monarchs’ goal kick to Anderson who flicked it on to Guest. The robust striker held off a defender and drove a shot precisely past the Monarchs’ goalkeeper to give Hahndorf a deserved lead. However, parity was restored ten minutes later when a free kick was flicked on to split Hahndorf’s central defenders and an opposition forward ran through to beat Barratt to the ball and slot in the equaliser. Further chances fell to Hahndorf in the remaining minutes of the half but despite some fine build up play they could not convert their opportunities.

The second stanza continued along the same lines as the first with Hahndorf retaining a good portion of possession but having trouble in the final third of the pitch. Barratt was having a fine match in goal and was alert to the threat posed by the Monarch’s attack, while Prince continued to pull the strings in midfield. Hambrook ran himself ragged out wide and provided one of the games lighter moments with an attempt to head the ball while on the ground.

The Monarchs defence proved to be a stumbling block for the home side and the Magpies did not take their opportunities to strike from distance. The tussle was fought out between the Monarchs counter attacking style and Hahndorf looking to build up an attack.

The breakthrough came from the Monarchs, a penetrating pass bisecting the Magpie defence and the Monarchs forward finished off the one-on-one with Barratt to give them the ascendancy. A substitution brought on Kierran Guest as Hahndorf went looking for the equaliser but the Magpies could not find a path to goal. Craig had a chance after Hambrook found him with a fine, ranging pass but the veteran’s lob over the keeper was cleared by a covering defender.

Time eventually ran out for Hahndorf before they could find an equaliser, the end result a frustrating one for the Magpies who deserved more after a solid display. Best on the day for the Reserves was split between Vaughan Barratt, Angus Hambrook and Stuart Thomas, the trio providing a stable defence over the course of the match.

The Super Cs turned up to play but the opposition did not and therefore Hahndorf took the points by forfeit. The 3rd round of the Cup is played next week which means there is no game for the club until Saturday the 21st when the Magpies host the Adelaide Cougars at the Pine Avenue Arena.