2013 Round 8: Murray Bridge United V Hahndorf Magpies

A tight tussle between Murray Bridge United and Hahndorf Magpies was decided by a single goal, the hosts getting their second consecutive win through former Magpie Kane Oppelaar.

The bright and sunny weather conditions were near perfect for the first team fixture with the only blemish on the scene being some muddy areas in the lower half of the pitch. The two combatants both looked to impose themselves early in the match and an arm wrestle developed that was to continue for the duration of the game.

A few changes were enforced on the Magpies but they put out a competitive line up with Simon Gale and Nat Stewart leading the strike force with JK Thomas, Sol Scopazzi, Nathan Roennfeldt and Hamish Vickers filling the midfield. Gale managed to get off the first salvo at goal, a cheeky lob that drifted just wide of the Murray Bridge goal. JK Thomas and Scopazzi found some fertile ground on the flanks to put Hahndorf on the offensive but their crosses could not find a Magpie target.

Vickers was impressing on his debut and a scything run won the Magpies a corner and hinted at his tremendous potential. Murray Bridge responded with some attacking forays but Matt Filmer was superb with the timing of his tackles to prevent United getting a sight on goal. He repeated his efforts soon after as the Hahndorf defence were increasingly engaged in the play, the "Swiss Maestro" Sam Putallaz, Stuart Thomas and Steve Ness busy defending Jarrod Kennedy’s goal.

Gale was a livewire in attack for the Magpies and demonstrated some dazzling footwork before chipping just wide of the target. Scopazzi joined in with header just over the crossbar and followed up with a fine drive but the Murray Bridge keeper was in good position to make the save. Roennfeldt, JK Thomas and Scopazzi combined to give Gale a further chance but his volley flashed past the front post after a fine build up by Hahndorf.

Murray Bridge contained three former Magpies from last season and it was one of these that gave United their best chance on goal in the half. Scott Graham lined up a Murray Bridge free kick twenty-five metres from goal and drove his shot over the wall and the dipping ball drew a tremendous save from Kennedy who reacted with cat-like reflexes to tip the ball over the bar.

The Magpies struck back with JK Thomas working down the wing to deliver a fine cross that Vickers, arriving late, met well at the front post but he flicked his shot just over the target. Vickers was again in the action soon after, stealing the ball from a tardy United player and grazing the post with a fierce drive.

The second half saw much of the same box-to-box action as both teams fought to break the deadlock but found the respective defences in fine fettle. Ness injected himself into the game, intercepting forward thrusts and his passes finding teammates during difficult situations.

Hahndorf gained a couple of good opportunities through Scopazzi who had a goal-bound header deflected away from goal and Stewart tried his luck but was denied by some solid defending. The Magpies were pressuring Murray Bridge for a good period when a counter attack broke the match open.

Former Hahndorf player, Kane Oppelaar, burst free and drove in a fine angled shot from the corner of the penalty area to give the hosts the opening score. The goal had the home team with their tails up and they almost doubled their lead minutes later but for some excellent defending by Filmer.

The two teams raised the tempo and the action went end to end as the competitors exchanged shots on goal. Kennedy made several good saves, with one outstanding effort denying the Murray Bridge striker in a one-on-one contest.

As time ebbed away, Mitch Miller and Harvey Watson were brought on for the Magpies as they desperately sought the equaliser. The Hahndorf build up was putting the visitors into good positions but the final pass or shot lacked the cutting edge needed to penetrate the Murray Bridge goal. In the end time ran out for the Magpies before their attacking pressure could exact a toll.

It was a bitter defeat for Hahndorf who had matched or bettered the home side in many aspects apart from the one that counted, on the scoreboard. With many players putting in fine performances, the Man of the Match honours was closely contested, but the outstanding defensive nous of Matt Filmer took the award. Others of note included Jarrod Kennedy, Steve Ness, Simon Gale and Hamish Vickers.

Reserves
A wayward Hahndorf Reserves threw away a potential three points due to their profligate finishing and allowed Murray Bridge to get their first win of the season with a 2-1 result.

The Magpies started in fine form and held possession in Murray Bridges half for the opening five minutes with Scott Schubert, Harvey Watson and Sean Behan initiating proceedings to bring forwards Sol Scopazzi and Michael Driver into the game.

An early corner to the visitors kept the pressure on Murray Bridge and a rash challenge from behind on Johannes Edler should have resulted in a penalty to Hahndorf but the referee’s attention was apparently elsewhere during the incident and the foul went unpunished.

Murray Bridge mounted an attack to put defenders Tim Staniford, Jason McKenzie, Edler and Luke Jones on alert and a dangerous cross passed through Blake Horton’s penalty area as a warning. Seconds later, hesitation in the backline gave United a clear shot at goal and the ball skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Hahndorf responded through Scopazzi who shot straight at the goalkeeper and the rebound was blocked despite the best efforts of Watson and Schubert. However, the breakthrough came soon after when a quick free opened up United and Scopazzi put a first-time ball across to Schubert and he smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Hahndorf continued to press for more goals but either missed the target or managed to pick out the goalkeeper with their efforts. Defensively, Staniford was defusing the Murray Bridge attacks until a through ball caught the Magpies out and the hosts scored the equaliser with ten minutes remaining in the half. Murray Bridge almost took the lead minutes later but Horton made a terrific save from a one-on-one situation.

At the break, Mitch Miller entered the game and Hahndorf continued to press for goals with Jones and Schubert having chances. Miller latched onto a throw and lobbed a ball to the back post where Behan met it with a solid goal-bound header that the ‘keeper fended away. Schubert pounced on the loose ball but his shot too was blocked.

Hahndorf’s wastefulness was punished when a breakaway put United through on goal and the striker made no mistake to put the hosts into a 2-1 lead. The Magpies answered with another shot at the goalkeeper and soon after Miller had a great one-on-one chance but the United custodian again effected the save.

With time running out Hahndorf continued to search for the equaliser but found the path to the back of the net blocked repeatedly by the Murray Bridge goalkeeper. Watson made a smart interception and beat two opponents but could not beat the in-form United ‘keeper and several other attempts met with a similar outcome.

The result was a frustrating one for the Magpies who had played some fine football but could not capitalise on their chances while the home team were overjoyed at their first win of the season. Best on the day for the Magpies was Scott Schubert who made many fine runs and animated the midfield all match with Johannes Edler and Harvey Watson also contributing fine efforts.

Next week Hahndorf host Angkor at the Pine Avenue Arena.