With three enforced changes, the Hahndorf Magpies stretched their playing stocks and started the match with their youngest ever strike partnership. Sixteen year olds Mitchell Miller and Naite Hider led the attack after backing up from the Reserves match with good support from the midfield quartet of Jesse Konstantinoff, Ben Stewart, Steven Ness and “El Capitano” David Grant.
One Tree Hill made a brisk start on the fine autumnal afternoon, their young side keen to test out the Magpies defences. Brendan Kilpatrick, Matt Filmer, Stuart Thomas and “Swiss Maestro” Sam Putallaz were equal to the task in the early running however the visitors had a couple of chances, one blasted well over the crossbar and a second that drew a good stop from Hahndorf custodian Jarrod Kennedy.
The Magpies were tardy in matching their rivals, the hosts having some passes going astray and after ten minutes One Tree Hill gained a free just outside the penalty area. The free kick was well struck and took a slight deflection off the defensive wall to leave Kennedy stranded, the visitors taking the lead.
One Tree Hill did not ease up and soon after Kennedy made good ground to tip a dangerous shot over the bar. The Magpies slowly began to gain more possession, the new combinations finding some common purpose with Ness, Stewart and Grant looking to bring the young forward line into play.
Konstantinoff latched onto a good Putallaz through ball but despite some nimble footwork, he could not get his shot on target. The mercurial midfielder had another chance soon after but smashed his free kick high and wide of the target with the visitors following his errant example when their free also failed to trouble the ‘keeper.
A corner to Hahndorf did not bring reward and play was concentrated in the middle of the park until One Tree Hill caught the Magpies square and the forward raced through to double their lead. Hahndorf tried to hit back with a good run and cross by Nider to find his strike partner but Miller scuffed his shot at goal.
The defensive line of Hahndorf was coping admirably with their quicker opponents, Putallaz and Filmer in particular with some fine defending and timely tackles. Hahndorf were starting to put some good moves together as the half drew on. Miller was putting himself about in the forward line and drew a crude tackle, the One Tree Hill defender earning a yellow card.
A wide free kick put the hosts in a good position and the in swinging ball caused some concern in the visitor’s penalty area. However, One Tree Hill found an outlet and a quick transfer of play caught out the Magpies, their opponents making it 3-0 with a fine finish. The half concluded with the visitors well in control of the match as Hahndorf allowed them time and space to bring the ball into Magpie territory.
At half time, the Magpies called on Harvey Watson to replace the injured Naite, the substitute himself also having a full run in the Reserves. Hahndorf picked their game up and had a good period of play as they looked mount a recovery.
A good lead up left Grant with plenty of time and space and the wily Scot hit a fine pass to Watson on the edge of the penalty area. Watson shuffled past two defenders with the ball between his feet and unleashed a searing drive past the statuesque ‘keeper to get the Magpies on the board.
The goal lifted Hahndorf and they played with more confidence, Ness and Stewart anchoring the midfield while Filmer continued to command the defensive duties. A One Tree Hill corner gave the visitors a chance but Hahndorf dealt with the threat and the Magpies played their way out of defence.
In the middle of the park, Stewart collected a neat ball from Ness and he picked out Konstantinoff, sending the midfielder into the attacking zone.
A curling shot left the boot of Konstantinoff and the ball found the back of the net to put the Magpies well in the contest, the home supporters sensing a change in momentum.
One Tree Hill tried to respond and they went close to restoring their two goal lead but Kennedy was in outstanding form to deny the chance. The Magpies made the better use of the ball with the match increasing in intensity. One Tree Hill and Hahndorf exchanged chances, the visitors going closest when the ball struck the crossbar from an acute angle.
Kennedy made a further great save, getting the best of a one-on-one contest as the match entered the final fifteen minutes. The action went end to end as both teams looked to find the net. Hahndorf put a nice period of possession to place them in the attacking third.
Putallaz swooped onto the ball and cut inside his opponent and rifled a left-footed drive towards gaol. The ball took a slight deviation as it went past a defender, the ball dipping over the goalkeeper to find the net and draw the Magpies level. The final ten minutes produced some exciting play drawing chances at both ends with One Tree Hill having the slightly better opportunities.
Miller defied his fatigue to find some space but his shot just went over the bar while at the other end the visitors pushed a shot wide of the upright. Several times Filmer broke through the lines with surging runs, trying to put Hahndorf into a winning position. Both teams were desperately seeking the winning strike but in the end they had to be happy with a point each.
The result was a character building one for the Magpies, their playing stocks stretched and finding themselves three goals down at half time. They showed great spirit and determination to peg back the deficit with Man of the Match honours going to Jarrod Kennedy, the gloveman producing some outstanding saves during the match. Steve Ness, Ben Stewart and Matt Filmer also played tremendous games and Mitchell Miller also drew strong praise.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered possibly their heaviest defeat in the clubs recent history when they were comprehensively out played, the final score well into double figures.
Fielding several junior players, the Magpie Reserves were never really in the match and things were made harder for them when they lost Luke Jones and Jackson McGuire to injury early on.
One Tree Hill move the ball with pace and precision and almost scored at will, Hahndorf ‘keeper Blake Horton the busiest player for the home team. Veterans Bob Edwards and Graham Philips found the pace of the faster visitors hard to contain as One Tree Hill went into half time a solid seven or eight goals to the good.
The break did nothing to quench the visitor’s thirst for goals and they added three more soon after the restart. Hahndorf attempted to mount some resistance with Scott Schubert working tirelessly in the midfield to try and get the Magpies some respectability. Youngsters Naite Nider and Mitchell Miller had a few chances to get Hahndorf on the board along with Harvey Watson but the opportunities were few and far between.
In the end, a fair score had mounted up against the Magpies and only those who had used both fingers and toes knew what the final tally was. In a forgettable match, best on the day for Hahndorf was Scott Schubert, who tarried in vain all match.
Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are again at the Pine Avenue Arena, hosting old rivals Adelaide Budapest, a side some have named title favourites.
No comments:
Post a Comment