Wednesday, August 28, 2013

2013 Round 16: Flinders University V Hahndorf

In challenging conditions, Hahndorf and Flinders University put on an entertaining and highly competitive match, the final 4-1 result somewhat flattering the University side.

Hahndorf travelled to the Flinders University playing fields unsure if the week of drenching rains would produce a playable pitch. However, despite being soft and slippery underfoot, the ground was in reasonable condition, if a little heavy. The opening fifteen minutes were even with both sides adjusting to the conditions and Hahndorf trying a new formation against the second placed Flinders.

The first genuine chance saw the hosts graze the upright from a well taken 25m free kick and then they followed up with a concerted attack that held the ball in the penalty area. Several shots were blocked by the defensive organisation of Matt Filmer, Sam “the Swiss Maestro” Putallaz and Nathan Roennfeldt before Flinders eventually found a clear strike to the corner of the net.
The Magpies tried to equalise through Ben Stewart and Hamish Vickers but the former put his shot high and the goalkeeper was solidly behind Vickers’ long range effort. Hahndorf pressed on with David Grant, Stephen Ness, JK Thomas and Sol Scopazzi gaining meaningful possession. A fine move found Nat Stewart in the penalty area and he hit the upright after a sublime turn wrong footed the University defender.

The Magpies period of possession was interrupted by a quick break by the hosts and only a tremendous one-on one save by Jarrod Kennedy prevented Flinders from doubling the score. Kennedy was again the saviour soon after when he tipped a goal-bound header over the bar but he was without help minutes later. An organised University curled in a well flighted corner that picked out the tall timber of University and the ball was headed home with little contest.

Hahndorf tried to hit back before the break and Roennfeldt went on an adventurous run down the wing before finding N Stewart. The striker hit the ball sharply but a defensive block saw the ball squirm to the goalkeeper.
Hahndorf began the second half with a couple of fine tackles by Filmer and Ness keeping the Flinders forwards honest. Filmer was having a terrific match in the back line, often turning defence into attack with some marauding runs through the middle of the park. The Magpie strikers were gaining in confidence and N Stewart put Scopazzi through on goal but the University ‘keeper made a fine save.

However Hahndorf persisted and were rewarded when Putallaz picked out N Stewart with an inch-perfect free kick. The lively forward pounced on the chance and hit a sweet half-volley, the first time shot thundering into the corner of the net for a brilliant finish. The Magpies sensed a momentum shift and they pressed forward with greater intent. B Stewart and Vickers had shots deflected before the former drove in a header that drew a great save from the Flinders ‘keeper.

Further pressure from Scopazzi’s throws almost put N Stewart in but with the angle narrowing, he cut back to Vickers, the youngster unfortunately lofting his drive over the crossbar. The pitch was becoming noticeably cut up by this point with players often slipping over and wishing they had donned the extra long studs. Despite this, the quality of play remained high and there were few badly timed tackles.
Hahndorf’s progress was dented when a speculative long shot by Flinders drifted over Kennedy’s head and dropped in the net, the goal coming from nowhere and temporarily halting the Magpies’ push for an equaliser. Undeterred, Hahndorf tried to redress the balance and Roennfeldt had a strike deflected after a fine build up. Simon Gale entered the game with twenty minutes remaining and both teams tried to gain the initiative but neither side were able to create any genuine opportunities for some time.

Vickers made progress down the wing and angled a drive across the goal but it was palmed away, Hahndorf regained the ball but could not find the target as Flinders defended in numbers. Gale dashed onto a through ball but the University ‘keeper was resolute to deny the one-on-one chance. The anguish of the Magpies doubled as the ball fell to Scopazzi and he drove it goal ward but a desperate last line of defence block kept the ball out.

A late attack by Flinders had the Hahndorf defence scrambling to clear the ball. Just when it looked like the danger was averted, a rash tackle gave Flinders a penalty, the offence occurring outside the area but momentum and a distant referee deciding against the Magpies. University converted the penalty with less than a minute remaining and gave Hahndorf no chance to reply, the match ending 4-1 to the hosts.
The score belied the close, competitive nature of the match and the standard of play was a credit to both teams despite the challenging conditions. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Matt Filmer who was excellent in defence and launched Hahndorf into attack with some rampaging runs through midfield. Nat Stewart and Hamish Vickers also drew plaudits, Stewart with a tremendous goal and impressive work rate while Vickers often provided scoring opportunities.
Reserves
The recent fighting spirit of the Hahndorf Reserves deserted them in their clash with league-leading Flinders University, the Magpies capitulating to an embarrassing 14-0 loss.

With their encounter in June rained out, it was the Magpies first meeting with the undefeated University side, Flinders carrying a maximum 33 points from 11 games thus far. Expecting a challenging match, Hahndorf found themselves pinned back in their own half for much of the game, the defence of James Stratfold, Brendan Kilpatrick, Graham Philips and Johannes Edler under pressure from the start.

A couple of early University shots wide of goal only served to narrow their focus and they opened the scoring from a mid-pitch free. The ball was threaded through the defence and Flinders scored their first with a clinical finish. Soon they had doubled their tally when they took advantage some disorganisation by the Magpies, the visitors failing to form a wall and a free kick fired past the exposed Blake Horton.
Bob Edwards, Scott Schubert, Michael Driver, Sean Behan and Harvey Watson tried to stem the Flinders tide but further goals arrived with alarming regularity and forward Chris Hyde had few chances to fashion a Hahndorf reply. Watson, Schubert and Hyde combined well several times but the University defence smothered any promising Magpie attacks, Schubert and Watson with the better opportunities.

By half time Hahndorf were down by six goals despite the best efforts of Stratfold and Kilpatrick. A change in formation after the break sought to arrest the flow of goals but Flinders soon had put another two away within ten minutes of the restart. Simon Gale was brought on to provide some pace out wide as Hahndorf continued to defend the relentless University pressure. A good save by Horton was followed by a Philips’ clearing header off the line as Hahndorf showed some mettle.
The Magpies began to create some forward momentum through Stratfold and Schubert, while Watson and Hyde had a couple of chances to put Hahndorf on the scoreboard. However a counter attack by the hosts saw them add their ninth, Horton initially fending off the one-on-one situation before the rebound fell in Flinders favour and was tucked away.

The Magpies continued to contest the ball but conceded four goals in the final ten minutes as the University sliced through some increasingly dispirited defending. In a forgettable match, best on the day for Hahndorf was James Stratfold, who battled hard all day, with Scott Schubert and Harvey Watson also having creditable games.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies will be looking to reverse their form and triumph in both games in their final home match at the Pine Avenue arena when they face Murray Bridge.


Thursday, August 15, 2013

2013 Round 15: Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide University

A strong finish by Hahndorf was not enough to prevent Adelaide University taking the points in a high scoring encounter at Pine Avenue.

As the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division season moves toward its conclusion, the few remaining matches assume greater gravitas with four points separating five teams. Hahndorf were looking to close the gap on their opponents but Adelaide University had designs of their own.

The visitors got off to a brisk start and put Hamish Vickers, Stuart “El Presidente” Thomas, Matt Filmer and Sam “the Swiss Maestro” Putallaz under pressure in the initial exchanges. A couple of early saves by Hahndorf ‘keeper Jarrod Kennedy did not prepare him for the opening strike by University. An incisive move down the wing drew defenders in and a smart cutback allowed Adelaide to slot the ball away from a classic play after five minutes.
The Magpies matched the quick tempo was through the midfield endeavours of David Grant, Sol Scopazzi, Stephen Ness and JK Thomas while Ben Stewart and Nathan Roennfeldt kept the University defence honest. Several good moves put Hahndorf within striking range but the visiting goalkeeper had the angles covered.

Adelaide were not content to sit on their laurels and doubled their lead after twenty-five minutes, again a text book cutback to the penalty spot slicing open the Magpie defence. The momentum looked to be on University’s side and they could have added more however Hahndorf lifted their game. Kennedy lead with a fine save, holding a fierce shot across his goal like he was plucking an apple from a tree.

Stewart was a constant threat for the Magpies and several strong runs showed his intent. A great chance opened for him and he hit a fine volley but an equally fine save was made by the Adelaide ‘keeper. Nevertheless, Hahndorf persisted in attack and were rewarded just before half time.
Pressuring the University defence during a good period of play, the Magpies forced the ball across the penalty area and Vickers, arriving with impeccable timing, lashed a volley into the net to the loud approval of the local crowd.

After the break the teams were engaged in an arm wrestle with neither really creating many chances. However, that changed when a lofted ball was brought under good control by Adelaide and they forced their way into the area to square the ball and it was driven into goal.

Worse was to follow for Hahndorf as minutes later the visitors made it 4-1 when they cut through the defence with impunity and slotted the ball past the exposed Kennedy. Hahndorf tried to rally but it was University that had the better opportunities and they put another good effort over the crossbar.
The Magpies dug deep and established a hold in the Adelaide half, Grant, Ness, Scopazzi and Stewart combining. Putallaz eluded an opponent with an exquisite turn before sending in a tantalising cross but Stewart just failed to get a boot on the ball.

Simon Gale entered the match as Hahndorf were building their momentum. Stewart battled his way to the by-line and his cross bypassed all apart from Ness who drilled a goal-bound shot from just inside the penalty area. However the Adelaide ’keeper, who despite resembling an oversized jockey in his gaudy strip and cap, made a tremendous diving save to emphasise his very good form.

Nonetheless, persistence paid off for the Magpies when Grant picked out Gale with a diagonal ball and he drove a fierce shot onto the goal upright. Hahndorf gathered the rebound with Ness and Stewart combining to force the ball into the net, Stewart with the important last touch.
At 4-2 the Magpies felt they were back in the match and they were looking better than Adelaide as the match progressed. A University attack was foiled by a terrific Kennedy save and then the home team went on the offensive with a flowing move involving Roennfeldt, Ness and Putallaz.

A free on the edge of the area gave Putallaz the chance to lash a curling shot at goal but the Adelaide ‘keeper made a fine finger tip save to flick the ball over the bar. Grant drove in the resultant corner, the flight deceiving most to reach Vickers at the back post and the talented teenager squeezed between two defenders to stab the ball home.

The score was 4-3 as Hahndorf charged home with a wet sail and the match ramped up to a furious pace for the final five minutes. University went narrowly wide a good effort and the Magpies replied through Gale, the forward breezing past several players before shooting over.
Vickers instigated an attack, finding Gale with a precision pass and he pushed on to Putallaz. The Swiss Maestro held the ball wide before curling in a dangerous cross that just eluded the charging Vickers, the defender centimetres from his hat-trick and fairy tale finish for Hahndorf.

However it was not to be, and the final whistle ended the late rally by the Magpies. It was a terrific fight back by the home team but they left themselves too much to do after giving away a couple of cheap, early goals. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Ben Stewart who fought hard and drove the attack all day, narrowly getting the votes over Hamish Vickers who was brilliant in both defence and attack to score a brace.

Reserves
A resilient performance by the Hahndorf Reserves saw them fight to the final whistle against title-chasing Adelaide University, the points shared in a 1-1 draw.

The sixth-placed Magpie Reserves took on second spot and were not daunted by the visitors despite the sixteen point difference between the teams. It was expected that Uni would dominate possession and the early going showed this to be true. However Hahndorf utilised their defence well, James Stratfold, Brendan Kilpatrick, Graham Philips and Johannes Edler getting good support from Jason Mckenzie and Scott Schubert, the latter doing a tremendous amount of work in the first thirty minutes.

Adelaide had a couple of good opportunities to open the scoring but put their efforts over Blake Horton’s cross bar or wide of goal. The defence worked diligently to track the movement of the visiting players and prevented them from getting in behind the back line. Chris Hyde led the Hahndorf attack and linked up well with Sean Behan, Harvey Watson and Naite Hider, the senior marksman creating a clever dummy that almost put Hider through on goal.
However he did not have long to wait before a defence splitting pass from Schubert sent Hider on his way, the youngster beating two defenders before a heavy touch put the ball too close to the University goalkeeper. Adelaide was having the better of possession but their finishing was poor with Horton capably holding the shots that were on target.

Hahndorf continued to work hard to contain the visitors with Bob Edwards replacing an injured Magpie before half time, the experienced player shoring up the midfield.

After the break, Hahndorf made some good opportunities and a goal-bound header was smartly saved by the Adelaide custodian. The play settled somewhat although Hyde, Watson and Hider remained Hahndorf’s most potent threat. Edwards and Schubert began to garner a greater share of possession for the hosts and they made several promising attacks.
Adelaide University were still dangerous however and responded with a series of shots to the left of goal, repeatedly targeting the same stand of gums as if they were trying to dislodge a koala. A second substitution brought on Aaron Fiora and he made a great impact on the left side, linking with Watson, Hyde and Schubert.

A searching run by Watson was brought to an unceremonious end and gave Hahndorf a penalty. Watson took on the responsibility and struck the ball well but the Adelaide custodian went the right way and made a good, chest-high save.

University responded with a number of attacks and eventually forced the ball into the net after building pressure in the penalty area. With little time remaining the Magpies could have dropped their heads at the late blow but they endeavoured to find an equaliser despite the delaying tactics now employed by the University players.
A forceful, bullish run by Edwards took the ball into the penalty area and an ill-timed tackle brought him down to give the Magpies a second penalty and chance of redemption. Hyde stepped up and used all his experience to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and give Hahndorf a deserved equaliser, the goal coming in the final minute of play.

It was a tremendous team effort by the Magpies, defiantly keeping University to a single goal and then showing great spirit to lift for the equaliser. Many players put in exceptional efforts during the ninety minutes; however Scott Schubert was outstanding in a tireless display, his work rate and drive in midfield keeping Hahndorf in the match. Other terrific performances included Chris Hyde, Harvey Watson and Graham Philips.
The Magpies now have a week off due to the Cup quarter finals before travelling to meet the second placed Flinders University on the 24th of August.