2012 Round 12: Hahndorf Magpies V Croydon Cougars

In an engrossing encounter, the Hahndorf Magpies twice led the third-ranked Croydon Cougars before a late goal by the visitors gave them a share of the points in a 2-2 result.

A bright and unseasonable warm Saturday at Pine Avenue Arena combined with a pitch in good condition to provide the canvas for a hard fought contest between the Magpies and the Cougars. The hosts started with the chirpy Andy Jones in goal with a defensive line containing Todd Newman, Ash Parr, Jeremy Prevett and Steve Noble.

The early exchanges saw both midfields trying to establish a foundation to build their game, Aaron Noble, Steve Ness, Kane Oppelaar and Michael Lewington keen to control possession. After several forays forward by Jesse Konstantinoff and Matt Norris, Hahndorf earned a penalty when Konstantinoff was fouled, the indiscretion embellished with a theatrical fall reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Norris stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake, sending the Cougars’ ‘keeper the wrong way to find the back of the net and putting the Magpies into a 1-0 lead. The visitors knew they were up for a serious test and endeavoured to find an equaliser. Several opportunities fell to the Cougars but they could not find a way past Jones and his organised defenders.

However, chasing a ball deep into the penalty area, the Cougars managed to cut a pass back to the middle of the penalty area and a shot was bundled in at the post to restore parity. The teams continued to trade attacks but neither could find a clear cut opportunity to take the lead, the respective defences on top of their game.

An attack by the Cougars drew a rash challenge in the penalty area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. The Cougars penalty taker struck a firm shot but Jones read his intention and dove across to keep the ball out to the cheers of the home crowd. The battle resumed between the combatants but chances were again rare with some fine defence shown by both sides and the teams went into half time with scores level.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half were a tight affair, Ness and Lewington working hard to disrupt the possession of the Cougars in conjunction with some stern defending by the Magpies backline. Norris and Konstantinoff threatened to break open the match for Hahndorf but like the Cougars, were often under pressure in shooting situations and shots went astray.

A Noble and Norris combined with a strong run down the wing and the former sent a lofted ball to Konstantinoff but his volley lacked power. A similar run by Ness resulted in his cross deflecting to A Noble, however his shot found the Cougars’ ‘keeper. Hahndorf kept up the pressure through Parr minutes later, the irrepressible defender sending the Magpies deep into attack but again a good cross was squandered at the back post.

The Cougars launched a quick counter attack and earned a corner but the chance was repelled by Prevett with a fine clearing header. The Magpies continued to push for a second goal and deservedly took the lead when Norris was brought down in the penalty area. Norris took the spot kick and again was victorious, driving the ball into the corner despite a valiant attempt by the ‘keeper to prevent the score.

With the lead, the Magpies took the opportunity to bring on the fresh legs of Lloyd Oppelaar and Kierran Guest. The goal appeared to dampen the desire of a few of the visiting Cougars and A Noble took advantage, setting up Guest in the penalty area but the searing shot was deflected for a corner.

The Cougars answered with an attack of their own but the final shot went high and wide of goal. They soon followed up with a better chance but their shot found the welcoming arms of Jones. Hahndorf made their final change with Webber entering the match as both teams continued to trade attacks in the final fifteen minutes.

Persistence paid off for the visitors when they equalised with a contested header that not only levelled the score but the clash also levelled Jones who had come out to meet the cross. Several minutes passed before a dazed Jones was helped from the pitch and Guest was called upon to don the gloves for the final minutes.

The remaining time seemed to take an eternity as both teams tried desperately to find a winning goal. The Cougars made a promising move but a great tackle by Prevett halted the attack. The ten men of Hahndorf countered through A Noble, the creative midfielder almost getting a clear run at goal but a smothering tackle ended his chance. A couple of willing tackles led to the referee reaching for his cards as the intensity increased and players began to fatigue.

Both teams were stretched as the match entered a zone where time was diluted, several players managing to grow full beards before the referee finally blew the whistle to end the match. The result was a welcomed one by the Magpies who have had little to show for their endeavours despite their competitive outings recently.

Best player on the day for Hahndorf was Matt Norris, his brace of goals and tireless workload an inspiration, with Aaron Noble also with a telling contribution and Andy Jones in fine form before his untimely departure.

Reserves
The Magpie Reserves returned to winning ways with a fine display, surviving a late scare to run out 3-2 winners against the Cougars.

The week off had recharged the Magpies and they started the match in good form, Tim Staniford, Jordan Webber, James Anderson and Lloyd Oppelaar anchoring a solid midfield and looking to close down their opponents. Up front, the evergreen Scot, David Grant and mercurial Angus “House” Hambrook sought to exploit any weakness in the Cougars’ defence.

A number of raids into the visitor’s penalty area did not get the Magpies the opening goal but a few close chances showed the clear intent of a confident team. The defensive line of Scott Breaker, Kierran Guest, Andy Craig and Ben “Beninho” Wells provided sturdy cover for Vaughan Barratt in goal, the feisty ‘keeper equal to any shots that threatened in the opening period.

Hahndorf continued their positive play, pressing forward in supporting numbers and were rewarded with the opening goal. An opportunistic pass from Breaker dropped behind the Cougars’ backline and Hambrook seized on the hesitation of the ‘keeper to head the ball over him and into the net.

The Cougars tried to reply but the Hahndorf defenders gave them few clear opportunities, with Barratt covering the long shots and the visitor’s shooting was often wayward. The Magpies created some nice moves through the middle of the park, Anderson and Webber quick to provide a pivot from defence to attack. Hahndorf suffered a setback when Breaker was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, however Ben Simpson amply stepped into the breech to shore up the team.

The second half saw the Magpies continue in a confident mood but the Cougars equalised ten minutes into the half after a counter attack caught Hahndorf short at the back, a fierce shot giving Barratt little chance.

The Magpies regrouped and remained faithful to their attacking style of play, creating the better chances but unable to find the net. A second substitution brought on Scott Schubert and he made an immediate impact. Anderson launched a cross field pass to Grant who went rampaging down the wing. The Scot drew a player before cutting the ball back for Schubert to smash in from close range.

Guest almost extended the lead with a thunderous effort from the halfway line and the retreating Cougars’ ‘keeper could only watch as the ball crashed off the crossbar. However, soon after Anderson made it 3-1 with a wonderful solo run, beating several players and then driving the ball into the corner of the net from just outside the penalty area.

With ten minutes remaining the Cougars clawed a goal back to set up an exciting finish. The Cougars threw everything at the Magpies but the defence stood firm, Barratt exhorting resilience from the backline as Hahndorf kept out a series of corners in the dying minutes.

It was a terrific result for the Magpies and they will look to build on this for the remainder of the season. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Kierran Guest, a pillar of strength all day with Scott Breaker and Vaughan Barratt also in fine form.

Super Cs
Despite playing some attractive football, the Super Cs were unable to pull back a first half deficit, eventually going down 1-3 to the second placed Cougars.

The Cougars raced out to a 2-0 lead before Scott Schubert pulled a goal back for Hahndorf, sliding in to guide Sam Putallaz’s pass past the advancing ‘keeper and into the net. The Magpies had a legitimate penalty claim waived away in the second half before the visitors sealed it with a third goal late in the game.

Next week all three senior teams make the trek down to Ladywood Oval to take on the Modbury Jets.