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.