Hahndorf V Flinders University

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the Hahndorf Magpies were unable to overcome two early goals, eventually going down to Flinders University 3-1.

In the final game of a very long season, Hahndorf got off to a shaky start with custodian Nathaniel Brooke and defenders Tyrone Blunt, Todd Newman and Micheal Stevens under pressure. Flinders University twice exploited some non-existent marking in the area of the pitch to rifle in two goals in the first five minutes.

Regaining their composure, Hahndorf fought back in the midfield, John Lawler, Martin Moran, Craig Cottle, Stephen Ness and Kyle Eglinton looking to establish some authority as they moved the ball forward. It was a hard fought battle in the middle and strikers Ash Parr and club captain Matt Norris found their chances few and far between, with the middle third of the pitch containing most of the action.

Flinders almost went further ahead with a period of sustained pressure that saw them hit the cross bar from a free kick and soon after drew Brooke into some excellent saves. Hahndorf fought back through a blistering shot by Parr, the Uni ‘keeper powerless to hold onto the ball and it arced toward goal. Unfortunately for the Magpies it was cleared of the line by a late arriving defender.

The attempt spurred Hahndorf on and they began to play some better football with Newman and Stevens proving to be very solid at the back. However, the Magpies could not make their possession count and they went into the halftime break rueing their tardy start.

Hahndorf began the second period of play in a positive fashion with Norris running down a through ball and setting up Lawler, but his shot was wayward. Lawler soon had another effort but again could not keep the ball on target from distance.

At the other end Brooke pulled off some acrobatic stops as Flinders looked to increase their lead. Ness battled hard for the ball all game and made several important interceptions before he was substituted with Paul Charles. As Charles settled into the game Uni had a period of dominance but the Magpie defence held firm and Hahndorf slowly wrested possession back.

The tide looked top be turning for the home side as they built up their play and they were given a solid opportunity when the Argentinian Wiz, Moran, was upended in the area, the foul getting extra points from spectators for its South American flamboyance. Cottle stepped up to take the penalty and converted with his usual assured style to make the score 2-1.

The match lifted its intensity and for the next ten minutes it was ended to end action before Flinders added their third. Brooke punched a crossed ball clear but it fell to the visitors and despite Brooke parrying the intitial shot, the ball was poked back into goal, making it 3-1 to the Uni side.

For the remaining fifteen minutes, the Magpies tried to restore parity with Moran and Blunt having a couple of chances along with Parr and Norris. Mark “Studio” Selsey replaced Lawler as late-season coach Edmundo Palumbo added fresh legs in the final minutes.

Charles had a chance for glory but fired over the bar and the skipper did likewise soon after as Hahndorf continued their late onslaught but it was to no avail as the Magpies season was brought to an end.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves continued their late season revival with a well-earned 2-1 victory over the Flinders University reserves, a brace to Jack Goodfellow doing the job for the home team.

Hahndorf were determined to put up a better effort than when the two teams met previously, the 6-1 drubbing a low point in a challenging season. Danny Pace donned the gloves for the Magpies with a rear guard of veteran Andy Craig complimented by the youngsters Ben Wells and Matt Medley. They worked hard for the opening minutes as Uni got off on the front foot, but the trio denied the visitors any real chances.

Hahndorf began to work the ball through midfield, with Alex Oldham, Vin Chow and Luke Jones linking up nicely. Captain Rupert Lindon and the Albino Yeti, Lachlan McQueen, worked on their defensive side early on to close down the Uni’s forward forays.

Up front Mark “Studio” Selsey and young Jack Goodfellow made themselves available as Hahndorf put together some sweeping moves and sought to get the advantage of kicking down the slope. Hahndorf moved the ball well into the last third of the pitch and had several opportunities to score, with Chow, Oldham and Jones all going close before a quick free from Craig also went just wide.

The endeavour shown by Hahndorf upset a few of the Flinders’ players and drew some irritated banter and a few willing challenges, however Hahndorf continued to push hard for the ball and were not taking any backward steps.

Hahndorf’s breakthrough occurred just before half time after a period of sustained pressure. Working the ball down the wing, Craig played a 1-2 with Chow before sending in a dipping cross that moved away from the Flinders ‘keeper. He failed to gather the ball cleanly and it spilled for Goodfellow to place into goal from ten metres, giving the Magpies the lead and a great finish to the half.

Hahndorf then got off to a brilliant start in the second half, adding another goal within five minutes of the kick-off. Pace drove the ball forward and a nod on by Lindon sent Goodfellow clear. The spritely forward turned inside his marker before a jink sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and Goodfellow slotted the ball home.

Despite being two goals up, Hahndorf continued to look for more goals and played with assurety. McQueen was substituted for Andrew Kenny and together with Oldham and Jones, combined with the forward line to create chances.

Flinders fought back and managed to get on the board while Hahndorf were temporarily reduced to ten men. Medley was receiving some medical attention for a hit to the head when Uni beat the offside trap to score. The goal set up an exciting final fifteen minutes as Flinders tried to find an equaliser but found the Magpie defence in a miserly mood, with Brad Francis replacing Wells.

Francis had a great chance to seal the game with minutes left but having been gifted the ball from ten metres out, sent the ball into the upper reaches of the gums and scared the native fauna. A final attack by Flinders was well covered by Pace and Hahndorf celebrated their win with relish as the final whistle was blown.

It has been a difficult year for the Hahndorf Magpies, the twelve team league has been very competitive and early season injuries coupled with a new squad put them on the back foot for much of the year. However, the season has produced some promising young talent, in both Firsts and Reserves, and next year Hahndorf will be looking to build upon this base when they take on Division 3 next season.

MA Hawks V Hahndorf

In gale force winds, Hahndorf could not transfer their chances into goals and a fast finishing MA Hawks unit put in two late strikes to outlast the visitors 4-1.

Buoyed by their recent form, Hahndorf were confident of giving MA Hawks a serious challenge, the hosts flirting with the relegation zone and needing the win. With Nathaniel Brooke in goal, Micheal Stevens, Wayne Forrester and Todd Newman formed a formidable defence for the Magpies and reduced the Hawks opportunities from the start.

Employing captain Matt Norris and John Lawler as the strike force, Hahndorf kicked off with the very strong wind behind them and put the MA Hawks under pressure from the start. Out on the flank, Paul Charles found plenty of the ball early on and the midfield of Tyrone Blunt, Craig Cottle, Martin Moran and Ash Parr looked to make the most of the trying conditions.

Parr went close to opening the scoring after dispossessing a Hawks player and firing just over the bar from twenty metres. Norris also got into the action with two efforts that went wide. Despite creating the better opportunities, Hahndorf had to fight hard for the ball and the first thirty minutes were fairly even in the battle for the midfield. It was the last third of the pitch where the Magpies were dominant but failed to put the ball in the net.

In a rare venture forward, Stevens robbed the Hawks of the ball but with a true defenders strike, sent the ball skywards over the host’s goal. He was not the only culprit with Cottle also doing the same before Norris had a shot cannon off the post as the Magpies peppered the Hawks’ goal. A Magpie corner picked out Forrester but he too was wide of the mark with his header.

Charles exploits on the wing and dangerous crosses drew a foul from the besieged Hawks’ defence just as he broke into a promising position. However, justice was served through the “Argentinian Wiz”, Moran when he guided Cottle’s free into the net with a near post header on the stroke of half time.

After the half time break, the Hahndorf Magpies managed to put pressure on the Hawks as they battled into the wind. Norris again went close with a rasping shot that grazed the post and then Cottle cleverly set up Lawler, but again the resulting shot was astray.

Hahndorf were to rue their chances soon after when the MA Hawks equalised with a deflected, scrambled goal after the Magpies could not clear the ball cleanly. The goal gave the home side impetus and they enjoyed a period of pressure, pushing the defence and having several shots go close. Hahndorf replaced Lawler and Parr with Stephen Ness and Sam Gowan as the wind seemed to increase its ferocity and did not help the visitors in any way.

Despite this, Cottle almost reinstated the lead with a dipping free kick that clattered onto the bar, another chance that did not fall the Magpies way. With Moran tiring, Kyle Eglinton was brought on and the game settled into an even ten minutes of play before the Hawks added a second goal. Hahndorf half cleared a corner and it fell to the opposition who chanced their luck with a long shot that sailed over Brooke into the net.

Hahndorf responded with some fine play but could not find the net, a free kick going close but the Hawks’ ‘keeper keeping the Magpies out. The misses were costly for the visitors when in the final ten minutes the Hawks added two more to the score. The first was a free kick that eluded the Hahndorf wall and the second was a spectacular strike from twenty metres, the ball arrowing into the corner and giving Brooke no chance.

The loss was a disappointing one for the Hahndorf side with the score not a true reflection on how well they had played, with the team putting in a solid effort all game.

Reserves

Hahndorf Reserves were unlucky to concede a single goal in their loss to the MA Hawks reserves, despite creating the lion’s share of chances.

As with the First team, the Reserves kicked of with the stiff breeze and, combined with the concrete nature of the ground, found ball control initially difficult. Hahndorf custodian Danny Pace had little to do for the first fifteen minutes, as youthful defenders Ben Wells and Matt Medley working closely with veteran Andy Craig to keep the Hawks at bay.

Club stalwart, “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas, Alex Oldham and Rupert Lindon anchored the midfield as Hahndorf sought to blunt the Hawks advances. Wide players Lachlan ‘Albino Yeti” McQueen and Luke Jones held their counterparts well, as Hahndorf tried to settle on the ball. With Hahandorf looking to move forward early, some passes were rushed and astray with the wind taking the ball past the Hahndorf forwards, Vin Chow and Jack Goodfellow.

The Magpies slowly took control of large sections of the game but their accuracy in front of goal was lacking, with Craig, Chow and Goodfellow all having chances. The Albino Yeti fought hard for the ball and Lindon often exploited the breakdown of the Hawks play by setting up Hahndorf attacks. Oldham and Jones often found space down the wing as Hahndorf continued to create chances but profligate finishing resulted in no goals for the visitors in the first half.

In the second half, the Magpies defended their goal well and the majority of the Hawks’ chances were from long range, therefore it was frustrating when the MA Hawks scored the only goal from a scramble in the penalty area. Hahndorf failed to get a solid boot on ball and a Hawks player poked it in from two metres. Despite the setback, Hahndorf played well into the wind with sure passing and set up many opportunities.

The substitution of Jones and McQueen for Sam Gowan and Mark Farrant injected some spirit with Hahndorf playing three in attack, Farrant in particular putting himself about. Oldham and Goodfellow sent in some fine crosses that kept the Hawks on their heels and Thomas hit the post with header while Chow also went close.

In the final minutes, Lindon sent Wells on a run that scythed through the Hawks defence and he played a 1-2 with Chow before sending a scorching shot that just scraped over the bar. The Magpies had their final chance when Goodfellow and Craig played a short corner and arrowed the ball to the far post where Thomas just failed to get a touch on it.

The Reserves played a great game for little reward however they will be heartened by the amount of chances they created and will take this confidence into their last match of the season. Both teams will be hoping that their shooting boots are on and accurate next week when they host Flinders University at the Pine Avenue arena.

Hahndorf V Adelaide University

Hahndorf opened the spring season with an entertaining 1-0 win over Adelaide University, the home side playing the tutor on their way to their second win of the season following Martin Moran’s stunning strike..

Showcasing the latest in seasonal fashions, Hahndorf lined up in a new gold strip with Nathaniel Brooke donning the gloves with big Tyrone Blunt, veteran Wayne Forrester and reliable Todd Newman in defence. The Adelaide University side started confidently and were the first to threaten the goal but the Magpies saw off the danger. Soon after the opening parries, Hahndorf’s midfield of Paul Charles, Stephen Ness, Craig Cottle, Ash Parr and Martin Moran began to take charge of the game.

Cottle and Moran exchanged passes to Matt Norris who then fed Blunt, the big man venturing forward but shooting wide. Brooke was then called into action, diving to his right to push the ball away from an Adelaide free kick. The match went end to end with Norris latching onto a through ball and shooting for the near post. Brooke again sprung into action and defended his goal, parrying the shot and then putting in a leopard-like leap to gather in the loose ball.

The Magpies should have scored soon after with Norris, fellow forward John Lawler and Cottle all spurning great chances to put Hahndorf in front. However it was a piece of magic from the Agentinian Wiz, Moran who put in the only score of the game. Gathering the ball in the middle of the park, Moran strolled forward unchallenged before unleashing a 30 metre rocket that blasted over the Uni ‘keeper and into the net. A jubilant Hahndorf celebrated the score along with the home crowd, enjoying the goal and the afternoon sunshine

Hahndorf drew confidence from the audacious strike and continued to put the Adelaide defence under pressure. Norris twice went close to adding a second, a one on one chance snuffed out and soon after having a shot beat the ‘keeper but finding the side netting.

After the half time break, Hahndorf maintained possession for the opening ten minutes and pushed for further goals. Norris and Moran built up some opportunities and Cottle went just wide from 20 metres. Then Adelaide University showed some fight but the Magpie defence was steadfast and kept the visitors to long-range efforts. Hahndorf wrested possession from Uni but wasted their chance after another promising move.

Hahndorf made a series of substitutions with Kyle Eglinton and Scotty Farrant replacing Parr and Lawler. While the Magpies were getting used to the changes, Adelaide had a period of pressure but Brooke kept his area tidy and his sure hands grabbed every ball that was played through.

The Magpies again put in some fine attacks but were let down by wayward shooting, Blunt and Cottle both going wide before Newman was substituted with Luke Jones.

Jones got immediately into the fray, combining with Cottle, Eglinton and Farrant as Hahndorf held possession around the Uni penalty area. Despite their chances in front of goal and territorial dominance, Hahndorf remained vigilant against a Uni score with the defence working hard all game to keep Adelaide to few real opportunities.

In attack, the Magpies profligacy in front of goal continued with Adelaide’s ‘keeper deflecting Jones’ shot after being set up by Farrant and then Jones later shooting wide. Hahndorf continued to control the tempo of the game until the referee blew the final whistle and the Magpies celebrated their second win of the season. It was a terrific performance from all the Hahndorf players and with better finishing, they could have had a hatful of goals.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves notched up their second win in as many games, their latest assignment a distinctive 2-0 defeat of Adelaide University reserves, a brace coming from Jack Goodfellow.

From the kick off, the defence of Ben Wells, veteran Andy Craig and Matt Medley was put to the test, with the visitors looking to get on the board in the first fifteen minutes. Hahndorf custodian Danny Pace got in some important touches to keep Uni out and the hosts began to develop their midfield play through “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas, Alex Oldham and Rupert Lindon. Wide players Andrew Kenny and Lachlan “the Albino Yeti” McQueen were both defensively minded from the outset but eagerly supported front runners Vin Chow and Jack Goodfellow when the opportunity arose.

Hahndorf slowly worked their way into the match with Chow and Goodfellow garnering the bulk of the scoring chances. Goodfellow was keen to exploit the Adelaide University fullbacks and sent in many fine balls to the danger area just outside the six-yard box.

The Magpie midfield worked hard to keep the visitors under pressure with McQueen and Oldham working to release the forwards while Thomas and Lindon held their opponents well. Goodfellow opened up the scoring with a blazing shot from the edge of the area, the rapid velocity forcing the ball past the surprised University ‘keeper.

Hahndorf continued to press for more goals but found their efforts going astray and presenting Uni with a chance to get back into the game. They were lucky not to concede an equaliser when Pace made a great save and held on to a goal-bound shot that almost squeezed under him.

After half time, Luke Jones replaced McQueen and Hahndorf began to take strangle hold on the game as Chow, Thomas and Oldham all had great chances to add to the score. With the Magpies squandering opportunities it was a relief when Goodfellow added the second, a break through run ending with a composed finish.

Brad Francis replaced Wells with the Magpies on top, although the Uni side were still keen to get on the scoreboard. Throwing players forward they were exposed at the back and only poor finishing from the Magpies prevented further goals being added, Goodfellow throwing away a great chance for a hat trick. The Hahndorf team ran out the match well and their win was thoroughly deserved.

The results in the past month have been encouraging with the Magpie Reserves really starting to play as a cohesive unit under the guidance of coach Bob Oldham and the team is looking forward to finishing the season with a couple more victories.

The day was memorable for Hahndorf as earlier on the Super C’s beat the Adelaide Monarchs 2-0, making it a triple triumph of Magpie magic

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies travel to the Kings Reserve ground of MA Hawks, looking to maintain their present form and finish off the season strongly.