2013 Round 4: Torrens Valley Rams V Hahndorf Magpies

The Hills derby between Torrens Valley and Hahndorf was a hard fought and often scrappy affair with a single goal separating the sides at games end.

Hahndorf elected to change formation this week with Brendan Kilpatrick, Stuart Thomas and the "Swiss Maestro", Sam Putallaz anchoring the defence in front of custodian Jarrod Kennedy. Steve Ness, Ben Stewart, Hamish Vickers, Sol Scopazzi and “el Capitano” David Grant packed out the midfield while Mitch Miller and Nathan Roennfeldt roamed the frontline.

Torrens Valley started with a rush and their physical approach unsettled the Magpies as the two teams sought to gain an initial ascendancy. A few glimpses of goal fell to the hosts but they did not overly trouble Kennedy. A long throw to Vickers gave Hahndorf their first chance but his shot was deflected around the goalpost.

The Rams started to look for their centre forward with long balls over the back of the Magpie defence and several times Kennedy made excellent saves to keep the scoreboard blank. Hahndorf tried to build up their attacks and Stewart pounced on a loose ball to fire in a low shot that drew a fine save from the Torrens Valley ‘keeper.

The hosts continued to pump long balls over the midfield, effectively negating Hahndorf’s ball players and putting the stretched defence under increasing pressure. Kennedy completed a couple of great one-on-one saves and then acrobatically tipped a speculative lob over the crossbar to maintain parity.

A free just outside the penalty area gave Putallaz a sight at goal and he beat the wall with a fine curling shot but the Rams custodian made a good stop low to his left. The Rams answered with another long ball into the frontline that the Torrens Valley forward wasted with a shot wide of goal.

Play was fairly disjointed with both teams often exchanging possession due to errant passing and a general lack of ball control. A rare string of passes saw Hahndorf move the ball across the park and Grant put a fine cross for Stewart, the hirsute midfielder powering a header just over the crossbar.

Kennedy denied the hosts with another fingertip save pushing a long-range effort over the bar before Torrens Valley gained a free just wide of the penalty area. The free kick was swung in and under pressure, Kennedy punched it clear but it was immediately fired back in and the Magpies’ ‘keeper deflected onto the crossbar. The ball bounced around in the danger zone before a header looped the ball over the melee and it fell into the goal.

The goal emboldened the Rams and they tried to add to the score but Hahndorf managed to resist a period of pressure despite continuing to make poor choices with their options and passing. The scrappy nature of the match was underlined when a Magpie long ball was contested by two Torrens Valley, the pair taking each other out to leave Stewart with a quick stab at goal that the advancing ‘keeper smothered.

The first half drew to an end with the Rams holding the lead but save for the outstanding efforts of the respective goalkeepers, few players on either side had performed well.

Hahndorf made a few adjustments during the break and emerged with more drive and purpose. Miller battled up front to beat two players and then sent a dangerous ball across the penalty area but Hahndorf were unable to capitalise on his good play.

The Rams hit back and were denied a clear scoring chance by a great saving tackle by Stewart and soon after Kennedy was once again supreme in a one-on-one situation. Hahndorf wrested back possession and enjoyed a good period of play, with Miller getting about in the forward line and Stewart, Scopazzi and Ness starting to impose themselves on the match.

The Magpies brought on Simon Gale to add some drive and the visitors pressed for the equaliser but despite creating some promising openings, shots on target were elusive. A few Rams players began to dish out some late tackles but it took several consecutive incidents before the referee finally awarded Hahndorf a free and cautioned the offender.

The hosts missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead but their forward blazed over the goal when he should have done better. Ness started to play a more defensive role and shored up the Magpies backline to relieve Kennedy of his workload. Scopazzi benefited from a good, flowing move by Hahndorf, Stewart, Putallaz and Grant involved, but his effort was blocked by the Rams’ ‘keeper.

A forward thrust by the visitors presented a great chance when Roennfeldt was taken out in the area and a penalty was awarded. Scopazzi struck the ball powerfully to send the ‘keeper the wrong way but the ball cannoned off the left upright before zooming across goal and hitting the other post and bouncing away to safety.

Despite the setback, Hahndorf pushed hard for a score and Torrens Valley were feeling the pressure, making several reckless tackles that did not get the cautions they warranted. The final ten minutes saw the Magpies laying siege to the Rams’ goal but they could not find the net despite the pressure. A corner for the Magpies put the ball in the six-yard box and a blatant push on Stewart went unpunished to the disbelief of players and the travelling faithful.

As the minutes ebbed away, the Magpies continued to knock on the Torrens Valley door but ultimately they ran out of time. The result was a bitter disappointment for Hahndorf, however they took some solace from a much-improved second half performance with Steve Ness claiming the Magpies Man of the Match honours. Close behind were Jarrod Kennedy and Ben Stewart, both players continuing to lead by example this season.



Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves notched up their first win of the season with a 2-3 victory against fellow Hills side Torrens Valley.

The Magpies made the most of the first half with their young team interspersed with a few battle hardened veterans. Blake Horton took his spot between the sticks with James Stratfold, Tim Staniford, Bob Edwards and Graham Philips presenting an experienced forward line.

Hahndorf largely took control from the start, Scott Schubert, Johannes Edler, Luke Jones and Harvey Watson pulling the strings in the Magpie engine room while Naite Hider and Hamish Vickers provided a focal point up front.

Jones opened the scoring for the Magpies, hammering in a cracker of a goal that will not leave him short of conversation for many weeks. Hahndorf extended their lead through Hider, the youngster catching the goalkeeper out with a delightful lob.

Jones almost added to his personal tally with a booming clearance from near half way that had the Torrens Valley ‘keeper scrambling to tip the bouncing ball over the goal. The Magpies went 3-0 up when Schubert opened his account for the season, the midfielder having hit the woodwork a few times in previous matches. The Magpies ended the half in imperious form and were cruising with their comfortable lead.

To their credit, Torrens Valley took the match back to the Magpies after the break. The Magpies made some changes during the second half with Aaron Fiora, Michael Driver and Jackson McGuire entering the match and while this may have upset the rhythm the Magpies enjoyed, the hosts were determined to make up for their poor first half.

The match provided a tense finish as Torrens Valley scored twice to put Hahndorf under increasing pressure, the hosts sensing a dramatic draw or win was on the cards. However, despite at times some frantic defending, the Magpies triumphed to take the three points. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Luke Jones with his fine strike and having an excellent match overall.

Next week the Magpies return to the Pine Avenue Arena where they will take on Hazara.