Round 16: Hahndorf V USC Lion

Hahndorf V USC Lion

The business end of the season witnessed the two top teams in the 3rd Division of the SA Amateur Soccer League, Hahndorf and USC Lion battling it out for top honours. When the final whistle was blown, neither team had managed to score in an entertaining encounter, the nil all score leaving Lion on top with Hahndorf a few points behind in second.


The pitch was soft underfoot but with no Reserves match taking place the ground was in pretty good condition considering the rain during the week. Hahndorf suffered an early setback when first team debutant Sam Wood twisted a knee minutes into the match and had to be substituted, Jon Lynn stepping in for the young midfielder.

As could be expected from the two form teams, the opening exchanges were cagey with both sides finding the pace of the pitch. Hahndorf started Mark McGrath in goal with Lynn, Scott Taylor, Matt Norris and Steve Noble taking up the defensive duties. The midfield of Tom Holland, Jack Farrimond, Luke Guest and Aaron Noble were up for a busy day and forwards Kayne Stubing and Leo Santangelo were equally keen.

The midfield was seeing the majority of the action with USC Lion just shading possession, however both teams were looking to impose themselves on the match but despite a number of attacking forays, there were few chances on goal. A couple of speculative shots by Lion gave McGrath no problems while Hahndorf had a good opportunity when Holland set up S.Noble on the edge of the area but the low strike was wide of the mark.

To the delight of the home supporters, the visitors earned a couple of yellow cards in the first half hour after a bit of niggle between the teams, the referee not tolerating any backchat. Another chance fell to Hahndorf when Taylor’s free kick caused concern in the Lion penalty area, but A.Noble couldn’t get enough bend on his shot and it just passed wide of the post.

Lion then had the best chance of the half, a header skimming the crossbar after a good corner. But then the match turned a little sour for the visitors when they had a player sent off after earning two yellow cards in thirty seconds. Both cards were for dissent, the offender not learning after his first yellow and his continued verbal abuse getting him a subsequent second.

The man advantage gave the Magpies a little more space and they put together some nice attacking moves but were unable to threaten the Lion goal before the half came to an end.

Hahndorf started the second half well, using their numerical advantage to good effect and holding possession as they sought to unpick the Lion defence. A good chance fell to the Magpies when A.Noble headed on a lofted pass and the Lion goalkeeper rushed out to clear the ball but missed it. Fortunately for the visitors, a defender was able to hack the ball to the sideline before A.Noble could get to it.

Hahndorf were enjoying more of the play but were finding the Lion defence in good form, the hosts doing well but finding their final passes going astray. The Magpies controlled the tempo, Taylor, S.Noble and Norris starting the moves from the back and building through the midfield.

A free gave Taylor the chance to put the ball in a dangerous position and it drew the Lion ‘keeper out to punch the ball away. Hahndorf gathered the loose ball and after several passes it was Guest who chanced his luck with a shot that passed wide of goal.

Hahndorf brought on Jordan Webber to unsettle the Lion defence as the match entered the final twentyfive minutes. Guest was relishing his midfield role and almost put Santangelo through on goal but the Lion ‘keeper snatched the ball away at the last moment.

The defence of Lion and Hahndorf were dominating proceedings; however a few opportunities kept the match in the balance. A Magpie appeal for handball in the penalty area was turned down and a Lion attack saw a shot go past the post. Hahndorf answered with an effort that went over the crossbar as both teams were finding the goal a difficult target to hit.

A.Noble and Santangelo combined to set up Guest but while the shot was low, it was also wide. A Lion attack put them in a promising position but Lynn cleared the danger with a timely header. The supporters of both teams were in fine voice, urging on the players and engaging in a bit of banter but it was Hahndorf who were making most of the running.

Farrimond went wide with a shot after Hahndorf had built up a period of pressure, the industrious midfielder, together with Guest, getting plenty of the play. In the final minutes a quick free kick put Webber down the flank and he sent in a fine cross for A.Noble but as he shaped to volley in the ball, a slight deflection, appearing to come off the Lion defenders arm, took the ball off his boot.

It was to be the last notable action in the day, the nil-all result keeping the status quo at the top of the table. Man of the match was Steve Noble, his direction and endeavour in defence a stable foundation from which many of Hahndof’s positive moves originated.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are away to the Adelaide Pumas while the Div 4 and Div 5 Cs are both visiting Adelaide University.