The Petulant Magpie: 2013 Round 17: Hahndorf V Murray Bridge

In a hotly contested match, the Hahndorf Magpies fought off a determined Murray Bridge, two second half goals sealing a 3-0 victory.

The final home game of the season for Hahndorf was played in fine, sunny conditions with the last day of winter succumbing to the advancing spring and providing surprisingly warm conditions after months of inclement weather.

Jarrod Kennedy commanded the Magpie defence with Nathan Roennfeldt, Matt Filmer, Stephen Ness and Sam “the Swiss Maestro” Putallaz keeping the Murray Bridge forwards honest. The opening exchanges were robust with no quarter given and set the trend for the match.

Ben Stewart and Sol Scopazzi were busy in the middle of the park and the majority of attacks were driven from whomever gained the advantage in this crucial position. David Grant and JK Thomas provided width for Hahndorf in their support for the strike pairing of Nat Stewart and Hamish Vickers.

Despite the high intensity, few clear chances presented themselves for either team. The respective defences were in a misery mood and the forwards were finding the route to goal elusive. However Vickers only needed the one opportunity to put Hahndorf into the lead. Latching onto a fine pass from Scopazzi, Vickers broke clear of the Murray Bridge back line and closed in on goal, firing in a shot that squeezed under the advancing goalkeeper and found the back of the net.

Murray Bridge tried to restore parity before half time but their best efforts arrived through Scott Graham, the former Magpie having two free kicks that Hahndorf defended well. Other opportunities failed to pierce the safe hands of Kennedy and the solid Hahndorf defence. However, after the break the visitors put the Magpies under serious pressure from the resumption of play.

A long throw made its way into the Hahndorf 6-yard box and only a terrific save from Kennedy stopped Murray Bridge from getting an ideal start to the second half. The visitors continued to put the Magpies under examination but Ness and Filmer had all the answers, the pair reading the game to perfection and often breaking up attacks and then initiating some foraging runs into midfield.

Both teams tried to create an opening but genuine chances were scarce and the frustration began to show with some vigorous challenges and sharp banter keeping all players on their toes. With twenty-five minutes remaining, the Magpies made a change bringing on the fresh legs of Simon Gale.

Scopazzi injected some fire with a scorching long range shot that passed over the crossbar as Hahndorf began to press for a second goal. Several corners did not bring the desired result but the Magpies kept the pressure on. Scopazzi and N Stewart combined in a flowing move down the wing where N Stewart delivered a ranging cross to Gale dashing in at the far post. Measuring his volley, Gale lashed the ball back across the goal keeper to find the corner of the net, the first time strike bringing delight to the Magpie players and supporters alike.

Hahndorf could sense the weakening in Murray Bridges resolve and a fine B Stewart pass almost gave the Magpies another goal. Mitch Miller entered the match and was immediately into the play with a penetrating run down the wing. The move broke down but Putallaz picked up the clearance to put Scopazzi and B Stewart into a good position. The pair exchanged passes before Scopazzi blasted over when he probably should have found the target.

However minutes later, Hahndorf put the match beyond Murray Bridge with a sweeping move from deep in defence. A rampaging run by Roennfeldt brought the ball into the attacking third where N Stewart chased a pass to the byline before sending in a low cross. Miller timed his run to perfection and stabbed the ball home from the close range, the teenager’s sharpness beating the Murray Bridge ‘keeper to the tantalising cross.

The third Hahndorf goal effectively ended the challenge from Murray Bridge and the final whistle followed soon after. It was a gritty performance from the Magpies where they defended with determination and the goals were delivered by the emerging youngsters of the club.

Best on the day was Stephen Ness who was a pillar of stability in defence, able to defuse dangerous situations and deliver crucial passes under pressure. Ben Stewart and Matt Filmer also drew accolades for their tenacity and drive throughout the match.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves bounced back into form with a late winner over Murray Bridge to deservedly take the points against a competitive Murray Bridge.

The Magpies got off to a brisk start in fine conditions and Stuart Thomas signalled Hahndorf’s intent with a quickly taken free that just passed over the crossbar. The visitors replied with a sharp effort that also was too high before the players of both sides tested the referee’s limits with a few willing tackles.

Blake Horton commanded the Magpie goal with James Stratfold, Brendan Kilpatrick, Graham Philips and Luke Jones showing steely resolve in defence. A couple of early chances were created by the Magpies; striker Chris Hyde glanced a header wide from Jones’ corner and soon after Jason McKenzie was put through by Scott Schubert but the Murray Bridge goalkeeper smothered the shot and Harvey Watson pushed the follow up wide.

Hyde had a great opportunity to open the scoring when he gathered a long throw in the penalty area and shot on the turn, only to pick out the goalkeeper from close range. The play was enthusiastic but occasionally scrappy as Hahndorf and Murray Bridge battled for possession with the ball often in dispute.

Jones threatened to score from distance several times in the lead up to half time, however the scorekeeper was not troubled by the time the break arrived. The Magpies brought on Sean Behan to replace an injured Kilpatrick upon the resumption of the match with the Magpies determined improve their play.

Schubert and Hyde combined to set up McKenzie but the goalkeeper blocked his shot. Watson had a chance but also found the frame of the Murray Bridge custodian. The visitors then had a great chance to score with a fine switch of play to release a forward but he blazed over the crossbar from a good position. Hyde provided another opportunity for Michael Driver, who had ghosted into the penalty area but he also managed to pick out the goalkeeper with his shot.

Aaron Fiora made an appearance and the match entered a period where the action went end to end but no clear chances opened up for either team. However Hahndorf were beginning to force the pace and kept up the intensity as the game began to enter the final stages.

Hyde was desperately unlucky when consecutive close range shots were fended off the line and the hosts were beginning to suspect it wasn't to be their day. The Murray Bridge ‘keeper then made a tremendous save from Driver’s fine strike as Hahndorf continued to press for an opening.

With the minutes ebbing away, a foul interrupting Watson’s fine edge-of-the-box run let the ball roll to Hyde and he tucked a curling shot into the corner of the net. Unfortunately for Hahndorf, the referee annulled the goal and awarded the Magpies a free for the indiscretion on the edge of the penalty area.

Hyde lined up the free and curled a brilliant shot over the Murray Bridge wall to find the top left corner of goal, the strike arriving with minutes left in the match. A couple of late substitutions by Murray Bridge threatened to find an equaliser but the Magpie defence stood tall to deny the last ditch efforts. A final chance fell to Fiora, when he was put clear of the Murray Bridge defence but their keeper again was able to parry the shot.

The win was just reward for the persistence of the Hahndorf team and was a good response to the previous week’s poor showing. Best on the day for the Magpies was Scott Schubert who was tremendously industrious all match with his inspirational defending and driving attacks. Chris Hyde and Blake Horton also had fine games, with Horton’s distribution a highlight.