The Petulant Magpie: 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.