2012 Round 13: Modbury Jets V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf were a pale imitation of last weeks determined side, their efforts comprehensively eclipsed in an 8-0 drubbing by the Modbury Jets.

A lush and heavy playing surface greeted the players on the large Modbury pitch bathed under a wintersun sky. Andy Jones started in goal with defenders Lloyd Oppelaar, Jeremy Prevatt, Ash Parr and Todd Newman forming the backline. The Magpies had barely finished their pre-game stretching before conceding a penalty and Modbury gleefully converted the spot kick to get the hosts off to a flying start.

Hahandorf restarted but found the going difficult, the midfield of Steve Ness, Aaron Noble, Michael Lewington and Kane Oppelaar harassed by the Jets and the Magpie passes had trouble finding their mark. The Jets moved the ball decisively and doubled the score with a slick move down the wing. A missed tackle let the attacker through and he squared up before slotting the ball away past Jones.

A bustling run by Parr brought Hahndorf into a good position but he could not link up with forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Scott Graham in Hahndorf’s first serious attacking move. The Magpies tried to spark some momentum into their play, but the only bright point seemed to be Noble’s glowing skin tones, a carrot-like hue having him almost mistaken for an oversized Oompa Loompa.

Modbury kept up their attacking fervour, isolating L Oppelaar with a two on one and only a timely intervention by Prevett prevented further addition to the score. However, a corner to Modbury was only half cleared by the Magpies and the ball was returned into the six yard box where a lone Modbury player headed it past Jones, the goal having more than a hint of offside to it.

Hahndorf responded with a few forays into the final third of the pitch but seemed bereft of ideas around the Modbury penalty area. The hosts had no such concerns, again creating a two on one situation to knock in their fourth goal before the end of the first half.

Kierran Guest entered the match at the break but Hahndorf was unable to stem the tide, the Jets scoring within three minutes of the restart, a ball cut back and the Jets player picking out a corner of the net. Parr and Newman tried to respond for the Magpies, the pair combining before Newman drove a left foot shot just wide of the post.

Modbury moved the ball with purpose and soon had put away a sixth strike, the score tapped in from a wide pass finding an unmarked player in the Hahndorf six yard box. The Magpies regrouped and put together some better passages of play, Prevett solid in defence and moving the ball into midfield. Guest was putting himself about in the forward line and forced the Jets ‘keeper into a sharp save with a scorching strike at goal.

Modbury hit back and Jones made a fine save as the match opened up in the latter stages. The Magpies created more chances through K Oppelaar, who had a fierce shot deflected to Ness who picked up the ball but he too was denied by the Jets. The blaring siren of an ambulance went by the ground, perhaps called to stabilise the haemorrhaging Magpies, but the Jets showed no such mercy to head in a seventh goal from a neat cross.

The final rites were performed late into the match, the Jets taking a short free kick and scrambling in another score as both teams were starting to feel the effects of the heavy pitch. Konstantinoff offered a brief flicker of a consolation goal with a fine solo run into the penalty area but he was unable to beat the Jets’ ‘keeper with an angled drive.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered a disappointing second half fade out to concede four goals and give the match to the Modbury Jets in a 5-0 result.

Hahndorf went into the match against the top placed Jets with an experienced defence containing James Stratfold, Tim Staniford and Kierran Guest alongside veteran Andy Craig. The defenders found themselves under pressure from the outset, but together with ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt they held firm as the Jets looked for the opening goal.

The Magpies battled hard in the midfield, Jordan Webber, James Anderson, Tim Prince and Stuart “El Presidente” Thomas winning possession but often finding it difficult to link up with forwards Ben “Beninho” Wells and seasoned campaigner Chris Hyde.

The match stayed level for much of the half, with Hahndorf largely on the back foot before the hosts broke through, an untracked player latching onto a cross and guiding the ball past a diving Barratt. Hahndorf responded through Webber and Prince, the latter going on driving a run into the heart of the Jets’ defence before shooting over the bar.

The Magpies almost restored parity with minutes remaining in the half when Thomas collected a long corner and found space on the edge of the penalty area but his curling effort passed just over the crossbar.

After the break Hahndorf made some positional changes to gain the initiative but the Jets answered with a goal from a quick break. Guest almost replied for Hahndorf with a searing, low shot but it grazed the outside of the post.
The Jets exploited some sloppy passing to add a third score as the Magpies resolve began to crumble in the final twenty minutes. A couple of robust exchanges, on and off the ball, drew the referees’ ire and several players from both sides saw yellow cards. A quick free kick gave the Jets their fourth and in the final minutes a comedy of errors between Craig and Barratt gifted the hosts a final fifth strike.

Best on the day for the Magpies was Kierran Guest having another outstanding match, with James Stratfold and Andy Craig also with solid contributions.

Super Cs
The Super Cs battled hard all game and looked to have the better of the play against the Modbury Jets, going into half time with a one goal lead, however an equaliser left both teams with a point and mired in mid-table.

Scott Bonner put the Magpies into a first half lead, the electric forward continuing to add to his seasons tally with a wonderful strike. Hahndorf had several chances to extend their lead when some cynical fouls by the Jets gave the Magpies frees on the edge of the area.

However, the visitors were unable to convert their opportunities and an equaliser by the Jets deep in the second half ensured the spoils were shared.

Next week Hahndorf look to bounce back at home when all three teams will be facing Adelaide Red Blue Eagles at the Pine Avenue Arena.