2013 Round 13:Hahndorf Magpies V Torrens Valley Rams

The local Hills derby was a torrid affair with Torrens Valley grabbing a two goal lead before a persistent Hahndorf finished strongly to share the points in the 2-2 draw.

The 13th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division was played in fine conditions at Pine Avenue, the pitch holding up well after the recent inclement weather. Hahndorf began with the same settled line up from the previous week and the opening exchanges were played at a furious pace.

Torrens Valley and Hahndorf both tried to impose their own styles on the game with the midfield a heated cauldron of tough, physical battles. Sol Scopazzi, Hamish Vickers, Ben Stewart and David Grant moved the ball well to send the play forward to Nat Stewart and Nathan Roennfeldt.

The tall Torrens Valley defenders coped well with the Magpie strikers as the home team struggled to get a clear sight of goal. A good move by Roennfeldt almost set up Vickers but the Valley goalkeeper made a smart interception, a portent of things to come.

Stuart Thomas, Matt Filmer, Stephen Ness and Sam “the Swiss Maestro” Putallaz were equal to the robust approach of the Torrens Valley forwards, giving goalkeeper Jarrod Kennedy solid cover. As the match began to settle Hahndorf started to take control of possession and force their opponents onto the back foot.

Grant latched onto a great cross by Roennfeldt and lashed a shot goalward, forcing the ‘keeper into a fine fingertip save. Minutes later, Thomas delivered a free to Scopazzi and he gave Grant another opportunity, the Scotsman with swift footwork to elude an opponent before stabbing a sharp effort just wide of goal.

Torrens Valley returned the favour with a good period of pressure but they could not get a decent sight on Kennedy’s goal. Play went end to end with Magpies seeking to get on the scoreboard when Putallaz fired just over the crossbar. Valley’s reply was interrupted with a blocking tackle from Ness, the Hahndorf stalwart predictably reliable in his play.

Filmer made an adventurous run from deep, combining with Roennfeldt and Grant to penetrate the Torrens Valley penalty area but again the Magpies could not breach the defence. Roennfeldt was rampaging in the forward line and his constant harassment gave the Valley defence little rest. A foul on him presented Putallaz with a chance but the Valley ‘keeper made a good low save.

The Valley ‘keeper proved to be the busiest player on the park and frustrated Hahndorf with some tremendous saves, one frantic period denying Vickers twice from close range after fending off another Grant effort.

It was then a shock for the hosts when Torrens Valley opened the scoring, a long ball sending their forward cutting inside to strike a neat shot inside the far post. The Magpies tried the respond but could not find their way past the Valley defence and they went to the break a goal down despite dominating possession.

Hahndorf set to redress the balance in the second half and worked their way into the attacking third of the pitch. Again the Torrens Valley defence perturbed them, the visitors getting numbers behind the ball and Hahndorf also let themselves down with their final pass.

The Magpies continued to press and then were caught on the counter attack. Torrens Valley made a quick break and their tall, quick forward cut into the penalty area to smash a fierce shot into the roof of the net from a sharp angle.

Hahndorf tried to respond but almost went three goals down when a good move by Torrens Valley gifted an attacker a great opportunity however he shanked his shot high over the bar when it looked far easier to score. Torrens Valley continued to frustrate the Magpies, their work rate and forceful approach unsettling the home players.

However, their physical application eventually led to their undoing, a lunging and needless tackle on Roennfeldt giving away a penalty. Scopazzi despatched the gift with a tremendous strike that tested the workmanship of the net and the goal lifted the hosts. Hahndorf brought on JK Thomas and he immediately linked with Scopazzi and B Stewart but a good save denied the Magpies.

The match was in the balance and Hahndorf made two more changes, bringing on Peter Atkinson and Mitchell Miller. Kennedy made two terrific saves to keep the Magpies in the match that then took a turn for the worse for Torrens Valley. A crude and overly vigorous challenge led to second yellow card and send off, putting the visitors largely on the defensive for the remainder of the match.

Hahndorf surged forward in the remaining twenty minutes to lay siege to the Valley goal. However, the visitor’s integrity proved remained difficult to break down and their goalkeeper was having a sterling match. Roennfeldt, Thomas, Atkinson and Miller were all having an impact up front but Hahndorf could not seem to unlock the path to goal with Valley putting everyone behind the ball to defend their lead.

Eventually an opening was prised open by the Magpies. The ball was crossed into the penalty area and a Thomas shot was forced through many defending legs before Miller swooped to stab home the equaliser. The sixteen year olds first senior goal brought much relief and great delight to the Magpie army and Hahndorf sought to grab the lead in the final minutes.

Scopazzi and Atkinson combined to send a cross that eluded all after a fine build up and then Roennfeldt almost scored with the final attack of the match, but his lofted drive was plucked out of the air by the Valley ‘keeper.

The derby ended in a 2-2 draw with both teams feeling they could have won the pulsating encounter. A number of players could have taken the Man of the Match honours for Hahndorf but due to his relentless running and attack on the ball Nathan Roennfeldt was the deserving recipient. Others in the frame included Sol Scopazzi, David Grant and Hamish Vickers.

Reserves
A complete team performance saw the Hahndorf Reserves produced some delightful football in a comprehensive 6-1 drubbing of Torrens Valley Reserves.

From the outset, the Hahndorf Reserves took control of their match, moving the ball with surety and precision. Harvey Watson had an early attempt on goal and Naite Hider picked out the Torrens Valley ‘keeper with a sharp effort. The youngster did not have to wait long however to open the Magpies account.

Johannes Edler and Luke Jones played a short corner and targeted Chris Hyde, his header going wide until lightening reactions from Hider saw him slide the ball in at the far post.

Hahndorf almost made it two with Hyde hitting the crossbar with another header and Bob Edwards rolled a shot just wide of goal. Building from the back, Brendan Kilpatrick, Graham Phillips, Michael Driver and Jones were in fine form as the passing interplay amongst the players was some of the most eye catching in recent years.

Hider was rampant on the wing with his pace and movement providing a potent attacking weapon. Watson missed wide and Edwards went close before a searching run by Hider into the penalty area found Hyde and the unmarked marksman made no mistake for a 2-0 lead.

Torrens Valley tried to put Blake Horton’s goal under pressure but Jones and Phillips made some great tackles and the visitors shooting was astray when it counted.

The second half saw the Reserves pick up where they left off and within ten minutes it was 3-0, Hyde completing a brace when he headed Edler’s excellent corner to the vacant back post. Jason McKenzie entered the match as the Magpies looked to assert their dominance.

However, Torrens Valley hit back when a clearing header was missed and the visiting forward pounced to drill the shot in. Hahndorf replied with repeated attacks but found their shooting off target until a fine solo run by Schubert. Intelligent running by the forwards had Valley in two minds and Schubert went on a driving run from the middle of the park before unleashing a cracking shot past the isolated goalkeeper.

Hahndorf continued to attack and a number of opportunities went unfulfilled with the Magpies well on top. James Stratfold was brought on and moments later scored after Watson and Edwards combined to baffle the Valley defence, their slick play finding the fresh substitute for an easy tap in.

Hahndorf made it 6-1 when Edwards broke free to cleverly chip the goalkeeper and round out a comprehensive team performance. From the many excellent contributors on the day, Scott Schubert took the best on ground award with Naite Hider and Michael Driver also in contention.

With the club undergoing a comprehensive rebuild, the Hahndorf coaching staff has been extremely pleased with the development of the younger players this season. Teen agers Hamish Vickers, Naite Hider and the Miller brothers have all shown outstanding skill and potential that augurs well for the future of the club.

The Hahndorf Magpies now have a week off before returning to league action when they will host Adelaide University at the Pine Avenue Arena on the 10th of August.