Murray Bridge United V Hahndorf Magpies
Hahndorf travelled up the freeway to take on Murray Bridge and achieved their aim of securing three points in the chase for promotion with a workman–like 2-0 win.
The Hahndorf Magpies went into the catch-up match knowing that a full haul of points would put them in a good position in the chase for promotion and the weight of expectation drew a cautious start from the Magpies. The defence of Scott Taylor, Steve Noble, Luke Guest and Jon Lynn was complimented by Mark McGrath and the defensive unit were on alert early with the hosts keen to impress during the early going.
Aaron Noble, Dan Hermel, Jack Farrimond and Chris Sawers worked their way into the match and provided the play for forwards Leo Santangelo and Kayne Stubing as the Magpies looked to impose themselves in the game. It was a fairly even first twenty-five minutes, with Hahndorf having the better possession and goal scoring opportunities.
However, a resilient Murray Bridge defence kept the Magpies at bay and despite the visitors getting in dangerous positions, the shot selection by Hahndorf was generally wayward. Santangelo almost had the opening goal when he created space at the top of the penalty area and hit a searing shot that passed wide of the target.
Hahndorf persisted and eventually scored a fortuitous goal, Hermel’s cross mishandled by the home ‘keeper and Santangelo needed no second invitation to slot in the loose ball. The goal seemed to calm the nerves of Hahndorf and they produced some scintillating play, moving the ball quickly to leave Murray Bridge chasing shadows.
Sawers was unlucky not to finish a flowing move from defence, S.Noble finding Hermel and he released Stubing wide. The speedster raced past his opponent and put in a centring ball which Sawers met on the volley, the shot passing just wide of the top corner of goal. Hermel also had a chance when Stubing supplied another cross, but the well struck volley picked out the grateful goalkeeper.
After the halftime break, Hahndorf went looking for a second goal, the one nil lead a little precarious in the context of the match. A.Noble and Farrimond began to dominate the middle of the park and Hahndorf used the spacious flanks to get in behind the Murray Bridge defence. The build up play from the Magpies was in contrast to the final pass, the play developing through some neat passing but the delivery into the penalty area was often over hit or picked out defenders.
The Magpies were generally in control at the back and Murray Bridge never really threatened McGrath’s goal but the inkling of an equaliser remained. Several good chances fell to Hahndorf before a piece of individual skill gave Hahndorf the insurance goal it was looking for. Hermel picked up the ball thirty metres from goal and embarked on a diagonal run, rounding two defenders before blasting a shot high into the net from close in.
Hahndorf remained committed to an attacking style and pressed Murray Bridge for a third score, bringing on Jordan Webber to add to the attack. A.Noble almost celebrated his eighteenth birthday in fine style when he volleyed Taylor’s angled cross just wide of the goal with the match entering its final minutes.
The 2-0 win was another valuable three points for the team as they close in on promotion; Man of the match Aaron Noble the midfield catalyst for the Magpies as they worked their way to the final whistle.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves continued on their winning form with a comfortable 5-0 win over Murray Bridge, Jordan Webber hitting a deserved hat-trick to keep the Magpies within touch of second spot.
The Magpies started the match with Nathaniel Brooke in goal, the big ‘keeper behind the defence of Andy Craig, Matt Medley, Mike Lewington and Rupert ‘the Enforcer’ Lindon. In midfield, Kyle Eglinton, John Lawler, Gary Ledson and Jess Konstantinoff provided the base for the attacking spearheads of Ash Parr and Jordan Webber.
Hahndorf took the game to Murray Bridge, the team maintaining possession through some neat passing and use of the wide spaces available. Lawler and Ledson anchored the middle allowing Konstantinoff and Eglinton to range up and down the flanks. Webber and Parr were a constant threat and it was no surprise when Webber scored the opening goal, a nice passage of play resulting in Webber drilling a low shot past the Murray Bridge ‘keeper.
The main avenue of attack for Murray Bridge was through their centre forward, however Lindon and Lewington were at their miserly best to negate the impact of the target man. Hahndorf resumed with the passing game, using the wings to good effect to score a second goal. Konstantinoff linked with Parr and the robust striker put Webber through with a beautifully weighted pass. Webber closed in on goal at an angle before slipping a pass across the 6 yard box to Eglington who had the simplest of tap ins.
Hahndorf emphasised their dominance with a third goal in the half, Parr again the provider for Webber and the indomitable sharpshooter put away Parr’s low cross with a clinical finish. Murray Bridge had no real answers in unlocking the Magpie defence; Brooke was equal to any attempt at goal and the backline only gave the hosts rare glimpses of goal.
The second stanza progressed much like the first with Hahndorf using the space to dictate the match with the midfield in control and the forwards an ever present threat to the Murray Bridge goal. The home side rearranged their formation and could have pulled a goal back but Brooke made a strong save to deny them a score. The Magpies looked comfortable on the ball and built from the back, passing their way to the forward line.
Several substitutions by Hahndorf let Kieran Guest, Ben ‘Beninho’ Wells and Bob Gordon-Edwards enter the match, the trio slotting straight into the Magpie formation. Hahndorf kept the pressure on Murray Bridge but failed to find the target, Konstantinoff going close when he smashed a shot at goal only for Parr to be on the receiving end and deflecting it out of goal.
Webber restored accuracy with his third goal of the day, an incisive individual effort when he beat the ‘keeper to the ball after rounding the last defender. Further chances fell to Lawler, Parr and Konstantinoff but they were unable to trouble the score and Hahndorf wasted a few good attacks with over hit crosses.
Murray Bridge could not pierce the defence of Hahndorf and were kept busy defending in their own half. Pressure by the Magpies resulted in the fifth goal just before full time; ‘Beninho’ Wells putting in a well-placed header after Murray Bridge failed to clear a Hahndorf corner.
The result continues Hahndorf’s push for second spot with John Lawler earning Man of the Match honours for sterling his efforts. The team now turns its focus to the Cup Final against Ingle Farm on Sunday at Hindmarsh Stadium.
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