2012 Round 18: Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide Vipers

Hahndorf finished off a difficult season with a disappointing 0-5 loss against the Adelaide Vipers, conceding three second half goals in rapid succession to put the match out of reach.

The Magpies started the final round with some enforced changes due to injury and absences, Jesse Konstantinoff and the wily Scot, David Grant brought into the line up. Andy Jones took his usual position between the sticks with Lloyd Oppelaar, Todd Newman, Michael Lewington and Ash Parr making up the back four.

Captain Matt Norris and Konstantinoff led the forward line supported by the midfield quartet of Kane Oppelaar, Scott Graham, Steven Ness and Grant. The home team made a solid start against the Vipers, the visiting side in contention for promotion and keen for the three points. The opponents exchanged attacks in testing out the respective defences with a few players finding conditions a little slippery after a week of persistent precipitation.

Chances occurred at both ends to keep the crowd on their toes with the Vipers having a couple of very good opportunities but failing to open their account. The Magpies responded with some attacking threats through Konstantinoff and Graham but they too did not disturb the scoreboard.

That changed when a defensive error gifted the Vipers the lead, Newman stretching to head an errant pass to Jones but the Magpie keeper had committed himself forward and the ball bounced into the empty net. The goal enlivened the visitors and they pushed for another score. Hahndorf tried to respond and came close with a couple of shots by Norris but it was the Vipers who took the ascendancy with a neat exchange of passes to break into the penalty area and slot away the second goal five minutes from half time.

The half time break did not seem to help Hahndorf and they looked decidedly nervous in defence, a miscommunication again seeing the ball headed past Jones by a fellow Magpie but this time the ball passed wide of goal. Grant and Ness tried to generate some possession and movement through the midfield, linking with Konstantinoff and K Oppelaar out wide. However, Hahndorf had trouble generating chances in the attacking third of the pitch, the Vipers defence alert to the Magpie threat.

The match slipped out of Hahndorf’s hands in the space of five minutes, starting when a free kick was driven into the six yard box and the Vipers got an unchallenged header past Jones. Play had barely restarted when the visitors regained possession and stormed up the pitch to lash a fierce shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. Minutes later, the Magpies failed to clear a cross and it was poked into the net at the far post, Hahndorf in disarray during the horror period of play.

Jordan Webber and Kierran Guest entered the match for the Magpies as the home team attempted to restore some pride and the youngsters did help Hahndorf to put together some of their best play. The Vipers remained firm in defence however and kept the Magpies at bay. With the final minutes of the season looming, Coach Steve Handley made an appearance on the park and linked up with Guest during a surging run into attack to the cheers of the Hahndorf faithful.

The final result made for a disappointing end to a difficult season where Hahndorf struggled to find consistency and application during many of their matches. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Steven Ness who battled hard throughout the match, with Jesse Konstantinoff also doing well in his role and Dave Grant rounded out the votes with a solid effort upon his return to first team football.

Reserves
In a classic game of two halves, the Hahndorf Reserves tenaciously hung on to a one goal lead before a penalty late in the second half resulted in a highly contested draw with the Vipers.

Despite some late changes to the line up, the Magpies were determined to end the season with a good effort against the Vipers. Andy Jones stepped into the goalkeeping role with the late withdrawal of the Magpies regular custodian, Vaughan Barratt. The defensive line consisted of Scott Breaker, Tim Stainiford, Andy Craig and Ben “Beninho” Wells with Kyle Eglinton, James Anderson, Stuart ”El Presidente” Thomas and Angus Hambrook making up a solid midfield.

The Magpies started well, kicking down the slope and quickly drew forwards Jordan Webber and Kierran Guest into the play. Hahndorf put a few shots on target to show their intent as the Vipers struggled to get any cohesion in their set up. The Magpies were comfortable at the back in the early going, looking to build their attack through Anderson, Eglinton and Thomas in the midfield.

The Vipers had a few shots on goal but none really troubled Jones, the visitors not able to carve out any clear chances. Hahndorf threatened the Vipers’ goal several times through corners and free kicks but it took a sterling effort by Anderson before the deadlock was broken. Anderson fired in a delightful free kick from outside the area, negating the defensive wall and leaving the Vipers’ ‘keeper in despair as the ball rocketed into the corner of the net.The Magpies continued to have the advantage over the Vipers for the remainder of the half but despite creating some very good chances, they could not add to the score.

During the break the Magpies made some changes, putting Guest in goal and bringing on prolific Super Cs striker Scott Bonner up front. The Vipers emerged from the half time oranges in determined mood and put the Magpies under pressure from the restart. Thomas and Anderson worked hard to blunt the Vipers midfield influence while the back four forced the Vipers to take shots from distance with Guest capably dealing with any on target shots.

Hahndorf tried to regain their structure and purpose from the first half but as the match wore on it was the Vipers who looked more likely to score. The Magpies were in defiant mood however and the back four worked hard to stop the Vipers getting any close chances on goal. Ben Simpson joined the fray with fifteen minutes remaining, Hahndorf still presenting a solid defence to frustrate the visitors.

The pressure eventually drew a rash challenge in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Guest went the right way but the Vipers’ penalty taker had plenty of power behind the ball to elude the Magpies custodian and level the scores. The remaining minutes saw both teams vying for a winning strike at goal but in the end the respective defences stood tall in the hard fought contest.

Best on the day for Hahndorf was El Presidente, Stuart Thomas showing he still has the game and skills to anchor the midfield with James Anderson also having a great impact in the middle and on the scoresheet. Kierran Guest and Angus Hambrook also featured in the votes, Guest doing very well in his dual roles on the pitch and between the sticks.

Super Cs
The Super Cs finished off a successful season with a comprehensive 5-2 win against the Vipers to wrap up fourth position on the league table.

A disciplined display saw the Magpies go out to a 4 nil lead through goals by John Lawler, Scott Schubert and two to prodigal son, Kane Stubing. After half time a resurgent Vipers made it 4-2 with a couple of strikes within ten minutes of each other. However, a neat series of passes resulted in Stubing completing his hat trick with a near post finish to put an end to the Vipers revival.

2012 Round 17: Adelaide Comets V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf battled gamely against the Adelaide Comets but the runaway Division 2 League Champions scored two first half goals to put an end to the Magpies slim hope of avoiding relegation

The sparkling first day of spring and the adjacent jumping castle brought out the spectators in droves as the Comets celebrated their 2012 League title and promotion to the 1st Division. Hahndorf went into Saturdays clash looking to upset the Adelaide Comets with a changed formation, putting talented youngster Aaron Noble in the backline alongside Lloyd Oppelaar, Todd Newman and Ash Parr. The change in defensive personnel may have contributed to Hahndorf conceding the opening goal minutes into the match. Miscommunication allowed a long ball from the Comets into the danger zone and the home team punished the indecision in the backline, leaving Magpie ‘keeper Andy Jones isolated in trying to stop the goal.

Hahndorf recovered from the setback with Michael Lewington, Steve Ness, Jeremy Prevett and Kane Oppelaar beginning to make an impact in the middle of the park as the quartet adjusted to the high bounce of the uneven ground. Luke Guest partnered Scott in the striking roles, the robust pair keen to get the Magpies on the scoreboard, the former holding the ball well and drawing others into the play.

Much of the action was contained in the highly contested midfield with both teams seeking to dominate possession. Prevett and Lewington fought hard to provide a challenge and the Comets did not have things all their own way despite the gulf in league standings between the teams. A flowing move by Hahndorf brought the ball from deep in defence into the attacking third of the pitch, Noble, L Oppelaar, Parr and Guest linking up to provide K Oppelaar with a chance. The younger Oppelaar brother struck the ball well and drew a sharp save from the Comets’ ‘keeper to show the Magpies weren’t out of the contest.

The match went end to end several times with both teams creating opportunities to score with the hosts arguably having the better chances. Five minutes from half time they capitalised on a fast break, the ball drawing Parr and Noble and an attacking Comet player to the bouncing ball. The attacking player managed to get a first, deft touch as the players converged and the ball rolled past Jones, who found himself a little out of position, and into the net.

The second stanza saw the Magpies attack the match with more vigour, Guest leading from the front and earning a reprimand from the referee when he was adjudged to have challenged the Comets' ‘keeper a little to energetically when vying for the ball. The Comets answered with a great chance from close in, the attacker hitting his shot against the crossbar when it looked easier to score.

The hosts then were awarded a penalty for tenuous infraction by Hahndorf but Jones showed great poise to dive away to his right and parry the ball back into play. The penalty taker tried to head the ball back into the net but Jones recovered to usher the ball over the crossbar. The Magpies brought on Jesse Konstantinoff and soon after Jordan Webber entered the fray as Hahndorf continued to look for goals.

However, it was the Comets who had the next opportunity, a long defensive header from a Magpies goalkick catching Hahndorf out and they were again saved by the crossbar when the Comets forward struck a tremendous volley against the woodwork. The visitors continued to put together some fine attacking moves but the Comets defence were able to blunt majority of the threats to their goal. In Hahndorf’s defence, Noble was having an outstanding match in an unfamiliar position, his poise and skill on the ball giving the Magpies possession in the midfield with his incisive passing.

Hahndorf persisted in attack as Graham lined up a fierce drive but the ball travelled wide of the goal and then he combined with Webber, whose shot was deflected for a corner. The Magpies kept up the pressure with Parr delivering a fine ball to the top of the penalty area where Lewington challenged well. The ball fell to K Oppelaar and he made a fine strike but the ball continued to rise and skimmed over the crossbar.

With the match nearing its completion, the Comets had a good chance to add to the score from a free kick just inside the penalty area, however the shot squirted wide with Jones covering the post to see the ball out. The result was encouraging for the battling Magpies against the Division Champions, trying out some new combinations and positional changes. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Aaron Noble, with some fine play in a new position with Andy Jones also in great form between the sticks. Luke Guest was also notable for his contributions in the forward line and was a handful for the opposition defence all day.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves pushed the 3rd placed Adelaide Comets in an engaging encounter, the Magpies shipping three second half goals after an even first stanza to remain in 7th spot on the league ladder.

Hahndorf lined up with a forward pairing of youth and experience in Jordan Webber and Chris Hyde, the duo backed up by a dynamic midfield containing James Anderson, Kierran Guest, Jesse Konstantinoff and David Grant. In the opening minutes the Magpies made a few forward moves but the Comets were organised to repel the early threats, Konstantinoff and Anderson looking sharp.

The bouncy pitch did neither side any favours and made ball control a premium, the Comets mastering conditions first and their close passing pushed them into the final third to put Hahndorf under pressure. However, Scott Breaker and Tim Staniford provided solid defence alongside veterans Andy Craig and Stuart “El Presidente” Thomas while Vaughan Barratt made a few crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay.

The pressure eventually paid off for the Comets when Hahndorf failed to clear a corner and it was met with a strong drive from the edge of the box to give the home side the lead. The Magpies fought back and made a number of raids on the Comets goal with several shots going close. A fine series of passes and movement involving Anderson, Konstantinoff and Webber kept the pressure on the Comets. Persistent work by Webber earned a penalty when he was bundled over in the box and Konstantinoff despatched the kick with aplomb despite the best delaying tactics by the Comets’ ‘keeper.

The teams went into the break at one goal each, although both teams had created good chances to add more with the Comets having the better possession. After the half time oranges, Hahndorf brought on Ben “Beninho” Wells and Kyle Eglinton and the Magpies tried to find a way to goal from the kick off. With the initial flurry repelled, the Comets replied with a sustained period of attacking pressure that had the Magpies pinned on the edge of the area with all defenders desperate to clear the danger.

Hahndorf searched for a goal but found the Comets defence in a miserly mood, Konstantinoff and Guest working with substitute Angus Hambrook to some effect. Barratt continued to be in a feisty mood defending his goal, but he was powerless to stop the Comets from taking the lead when their forward neatly turned in a cross at the front post. Ten minutes later the Comets made it 3-1 with another finish from close in, the hosts working the ball from the flank to slide it across the six yard box where it was struck home.

The Magpies kept the Comets honest with a few attacks as the match entered its final stages, Guest rifling a fierce shot that the Comets’ ‘keeper could not hold but he recovered before any Magpies could get to the loose ball. The hosts were gifted a fourth goal minutes from full time when a Hahndorf player had a ”Skrtel moment” and sent a stray backpass to a Comets player instead of the intended team mate. The Comets needed no second invitation and struck a fine shot into the corner of goal to wrap up a 4-1 result.

The final score was a little flattering for the home side with the Magpies competitive all day but lacking a cutting edge up front. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Vaughan Barratt who made some fine saves over the course of the match, with Kierran Guest and Jesse Konstantinoff also with solid contributions.

Super Cs
A clash between 3rd and 4th started the day’s action, the 4th placed Super Cs looking to gain points on their rivals.

However, despite putting up a fine display, the Magpies were unable to come back from three goal lead by the Comets. Scott Bonner pulled a goal back for the Magpies in the second half with a stunning volley, Sam Putallaz and Lucas Anderson combining to set up the prolific Hahndorf marksman.

Next week it is Ladies Day on the final round of the season, the Magpies hosting the Vipers at the Pine Avenue Arena, with all the Hahndorf teams looking to finish on a positive note.