2012 round 14:Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide Red Blue Eagles

A spirited and entertaining match between the Magpies and the Eagles was curtailed when the referee called for the abandonment of the game with twenty minutes remaining and the visitors two goals up but one man down.

Hahndorf made a few changes to their line up, putting the versatile Luke Guest into goal with Steve Ness, Jeremy Prevett, Todd Newman and Ash Parr providing defensive cover. Both teams were competitive from kickoff, the midfield a highly contested area with Michael Lewington, Aaron Noble and the Oppelaar brothers, Lloyd and Kane, trying to establish the upper hand.

The Eagles proved to be robust opponents and fought hard to create some chances and they had the better chances but their finishing did not trouble the scoreboard. Hahndorf mounted their attacks through Matt Norris and Scott Graham but the Magpie strike force found clear chances rare during the first half.

The play was fairly even between the teams for the majority of the half but the Eagles were getting into better shooting positions. However they continued to squander their opportunities by blazing shots high and wide. The Magpies responded with a few wayward shots themselves and it seemed that both teams had left their goal scoring boots in the change room.

Nonetheless, in the shadow of half time the Eagles struck a decisive blow, former national and state league player Michael Brooks showing his class with a spectacular pile driver from distance that eluded Guest to find the top corner on the net.

Buoyed by their lead, the visitors began the second half in confidant mood but the Magpies matched them for intensity, the midfield battle heating up as the game progressed with neither side giving up easy possession. A few forays by the Eagles served to warn the Magpies but they did not heed the signs. A quick transfer of play suddenly opened up Hahndorf and they found themselves outnumbered three on two.

Drawing the defender, the Eagles’ player centred the ball to Brooks and he added his second with ease, finding the net with the Guest exposed. Hahndorf tried to hit back and Noble went on a surging run that was brought to a halt by an illegal challenge. However from a promising position, the hosts wasted the subsequent free kick, dragging the ball wide.

The match took a turn when a through ball rolled toward Magpie defence and the clearance was charged down by an Eagles player and he burst through on goal. However, play was stopped when the referee whistled for a hand ball. The decision was vehemently disputed by one of the Eagles’ players and a torrent of abuse led to a warning by the Referee. Further histrionics and personal abuse resulted in a red card for the offending player, with the tirade continuing as the player left the pitch.

Hahndorf almost capitalised on their numerical advantage immediately, a long throw finding K Oppelaar and he advanced on goal and hit a sweet volley from the edge of the penalty area that grazed the top corner of goal. With both teams still adjusting to the Eagles loss, an altercation occurred between Norris and the Eagles ‘keeper, the latter appearing to elbow the forward and Norris taking exception. A bit a push and shove followed, with players of both teams posturing like young bucks during their first rutting season.

The referee stepped into restore order and consulted with the linesman but with players still engaging in some verbal jousting, he decided it was all too hard and informed the players that he was abandoning the match. With approximately seventy minutes played, the result as is may stand but the League will make the final decision at a later date, a disappointing end to an entertaining match.


Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves let slip a two goal lead with the Red Blue Eagles equalising late on to get a share of the points in a 3-3 result.

The Magpies kicked off down the slope, with Jesse Konstantinoff and Luke Guest pushing the hosts straight into attack to put the Eagles under pressure. Kyle Eglinton, James Anderson, Jordan Webber and Kierran Guest worked industriously in the middle of the park as Hahndorf sought to control proceedings from the outset.

The teams exchanged a few attacks but neither side was an immediate threat to open the scoring, a few efforts going high and wide of goal. The Magpies settled into the match and moved the ball with surety but could not conjure a score despite creating the better chances.

An experienced defensive line comprising of Tim Staniford, Andy Jones, Andy Craig and Stuart “El Presidente” Thomas kept the Eagles forward line in check and although a couple of free kicks put the Magpies under pressure, ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt remained untroubled. However, the Eagles managed to find a goal courtesy of Craig, the veteran defender showing his finishing qualities when he deflected an Eagles’ shot into his own net.

Hahndorf hit back ten minutes later through L Guest, the bustling forward given space thirty yards from goal and he rifled a superb drive past the diving ‘keeper to restore parity. Soon after the Magpies took the lead when a good team build up was competed by L Guest, driving a left footed shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Further chances fell to both sides before the break but neither could convert their opportunities, Webber, Konstantinoff and both Guests all going close.

The home team brought on wily Scot David Grant and Chris Hyde at half time as the Magpies looked to build upon their first half lead. The team continued to play well, with play going end to end but Hahndorf arguably having the better possession.

The Magpies made it 3-1 when neat work put Eglinton clear and he took the ball deep into Eagles territory before crossing to Hyde, the prolific forward expertly turning the ball into goal at the near post. Hahndorf looked fairly comfortable in possession and made their third substitution, bringing on Ben “Beninho” Wells as the home side continued to go for more goals.

However, to their credit the Eagles did not lie down and a free kick put them in a good position. The shot was parried by Barratt but Hahndorf failed to follow their opponents and the Eagles pounced on the rebound to make it 3-2. The match took on some urgency for the visitors and they pressed for another score.

The Magpies lost some of their focus and a few free Eagles players began to put Hahndorf under pressure. An attack by the visitors rattled the crossbar and again the Eagles were the first to react to the loose ball and stab it into goal for the equaliser.

The remaining five minutes had both teams looking for the winning goal but fatigue was taking its toll and few genuine chances fell, the best when Hahndorf had a late free kick but they could not convert the chance. Overall it was a good performance by Hahndorf although they will be disappointed to let the Eagles back into the match late on.

Best for the Magpies was Luke Guest, his brace of goals setting up the match for Hahndorf, with his brother Kierran Guest and Stuart Thomas also with solid contributions.

Super Cs
The Super Cs had an emphatic 6-1 win over the Red Blue Eagles to continue their fine form in the second half of the season.

Hahndorf goal scoring legend Tony Carter put a goal in with his first touch and added another later. Scott Bonner continued his free scoring ways with two of his own, the chirpy forward heavily involved in Hahndorf’s attacking play. Luke Guest, who played a part in all three matches on Saturday, hit a thunderous drive to score and John Lawler chipped in with another goal to complete the rout.

Next week there are no matches due to a Cup Round but the Magpies will be back in action on the 18th of August when they travel to Pooraka to take on Gleeson