Budapest started on the front foot and tested the character of the Magpies in the opening minutes. Hahndorf’s midfield of Steve Ness, Sol Scopazzi, Ben Stewart and “El Capitano” David Grant worked hard to match the visitors in the middle, a number of intriguing battles initiated in the opening exchanges.
Goalkeeper Jarrod Kennedy oversaw a defensive line containing Brendon Kilpatrick, Matt Filmer, Stuart Thomas and the “Swiss Maestro” Sam Putallaz and they ensured Budapest did not get many early sights on goal. After weathering the opening salvos, Hahndorf pushed forward to bring Mitch Miller and Nathan Roennfeldt into play.
The Magpies gained a throw and Scopazzi launched a long ball into the Budapest penalty area where it eluded all but Stewart who pounced at the far post to slot home with a fine finish. With the Magpies opening the scoring, Budapest pressed with more intent but the defence was equal to the task until the visitors lofted ball over the defence.
Judging his run well, the Budapest forward latched onto the bouncing ball and gave Kennedy no chance, volleying into the corner of the net for the equaliser. The match settled with the respective sides battling for midfield supremacy, Scopazzi and Grant keeping possession while Stewart and Ness were adept at winning the 50-50 contests.
The visitors had a chance to take the lead but fired wide and the Magpies hit back with a series of corners that should have drawn reward but their chances went begging. Stewart went closest with a spectacular diving header that crashed against the crossbar, the midfielder unlucky not to add to his tally as the teams went into half time with the score even.
The second half got off to a fairly even start with both teams looking to dominate but possession was unsettled with numerous passes going astray. A free to the visitors saw a good shot sail over the crossbar and soon after Hahndorf lost possession deep in their own half. A moment’s hesitation by the Magpie defence was punished by the Budapestian forward who nipped in to tuck the ball into the net.
The Magpies almost responded through Miller, the young forward just shy of connecting with a cross from Stewart after Roennfeldt had flicked the ball on. Soon after, Miller was again in the action, out-jumping his taller opponent to a long throw but he was not able to get enough power behind his header.
Hahndorf kept up the pressure with Ness the next to try his luck but he shot wide after the Magpies put together a fine move involving Grant, Roennfeldt and Ness. The Hahndorf defence were doing a good job of keeping the Budapest shots to a minimum and custodian Kennedy was solid with few genuine saves to make.
However, the match changed when the referee picked out a contentious penalty from a highly contested ball, both teams initially confused and thinking he had whistled for a corner or goal kick. Budapest had no qualms accepting the gift and they went into a 3-1 lead with the penalty struck well into the corner of goal.
With twenty minutes to play Hahndorf were still in the match and they tried to further their cause bringing on Garry Parsons to add some spark in the forward line. Scopazzi worked his way into a scoring position and hit a scorching shot that the Budapest ‘keeper could only parry and the ball fell to Parsons. The substitute tried to capitalise on the loose ball with a strike on goal but it lacked the power to trouble the ‘keeper.
A free kick drew a great save from Kennedy and soon after Hahndorf had a golden chance to score through Thomas, but the veteran uncharacteristically fired his header just over the bar from a Magpie corner. Budapest answered with lesson in finishing, the forward beating two players and the goal putting the visitors into a 4-1 position.
Hahndorf tried to respond but after collecting a good pass from Scopazzi, Ness shot wide. Budapest again showed their superior scoring prowess when they slipped past a square defence and Kennedy could not keep out the one-on-one opportunity.
Despite some good defensive work from Filmer and Putallaz, the visitors had made the most of their chances. This was underlined when Roennfeldt had a shot go wide of goal and then soon after Budapest picked up an easy possession in midfield and a quick transfer into the forward line resulted in their sixth and final goal.
The Magpies continued to play some good passing football but their final product was unpolished. This was evident when a fine opportunity was squandered with Stewart heading a corner just over the crossbar in the closing minutes of the match.
It was a disappointing result for the Magpies after they had produced a good first half of football but their profligate finishing was no match for the more clinical Budapest side. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Ben Stewart, the midfielder having an outstanding match and scoring the opening goal. Steve Ness, Sol Scopazzi and Mitch Miller also produced fine efforts on the day.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves had a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Budapest Reserves, the Magpies dominating play but unable to take their chances.
A misread bus timetable left Hahndorf short of a goalkeeper so Nathan Roennfeldt offered to step into the breach with Graham Phillips, Bob Edwards, Tim Staniford and James Stratfold forming the defensive quartet. Johannes Edler, Harvey Watson, Aaron Fiora and Scott Schubert filled the midfield quota with Naite Hider and Michael Driver up front.
A wide range of ages, from teenagers to sexagarians, led to a more relaxed but competitive affair than last week’s high-octane debacle and the match was played in good spirit. Both teams created chances but it was Budapest who opened the scoring with a headed goal midway through the first half.
As the match developed, Hahndorf enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but could not make an impression on the scoreboard, their shooting boots left in the kit bag. At half time Hamish Vickers entered the fray and acquitted himself well, linking with Schubert in some fine moves.
Hahndorf equalised early in the second half when Edler capitalised on some great play by Nider, the Teutonic midfielder finishing from close range. The Magpies continued to push for the lead but wasted some very good opportunities with their wayward shooting.
A golden chance fell to the hosts when a Budapest player reflexively handled a bouncing ball in the penalty area. Schubert stepped up to take the spot kick but his usually reliable right boot betrayed him and the ball went high and wide of goal.
Persistent pressure from the Magpies created more chances but still the goal would not come. As frequently happens, when one team dominates but fails to score, the odd chance at the other end often brings reward, and so it transpired at the Pine Avenue Arena.
A couple of late chances by the visitors went close to scoring but with five minutes remaining, a free kick floated into the six yard box and was cleared by the Hahndorf ‘keeper into an onrushing forward, the ball ricocheting into the net to the despair of the Magpies.
It was a bitter loss for Hahndorf who had deserved more from the match, however it was a marked improvement from last week and the team is showing encouraging signs. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Tim Staniford who was tireless in breaking down the Budapest threats, with Schubert, Nider and Vickers also giving a good account of themselves.
Next week is the first round of the Cup with both teams playing away. The First team have a difficult tie against First Division MA Hawks while the Reserves play on Sunday against Third Division Macedonia.
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