Cup Semi final: Hahndorf V Modbury Vista

Hahndorf V Modbury Vista

Hahndorf produced a first half assault on Modbury Vista to book their place in the Cup final, a hat-trick from in-form striker Leo Santangelo laying the foundation for a victorious 5-1 result.

Hindmarsh Stadium was picture perfect on a sunny Sunday; the dry, flat pitch a welcome change from recent surfaces and Hahndorf immediately went on the attack from the opening whistle of the Cup semi final. Earning a corner in the first thirty seconds, Hahndorf struck the opening goal in the third minute, the pace and attack of the Magpie forwards catching Vista on the back foot. Santangelo, Dan Hermel, Tom Holland and Chris Sawers exposed Modbury’s backline before Santangelo struck, his drive squeezing between defender and goalkeeper to get Hahndorf off to a perfect start.

A further three minutes passed in which Hahndorf were unrelenting in attack and doubled their lead, Santangelo once again the scorer, his speed and clinical finishing complimenting a slick move by the Magpies. The Modbury Vista team were stunned but tried to work their way into the match. However, the defence of Kyle Eglinton, Rupert Lindon, Andy Craig and Mike Lewington were equal to the challenge and Magpie ‘keeper Mark McGrath had few troubles.

The Magpies kept up their attack, midfielders Dan Holland and Aaron Noble controlling the middle and releasing Hahndorf’s sharp forward line. Santangelo was in rampant form and combined with T.Holland for Hahndorf’s third goal, Holland making good ground to tap in Santangelo’s cross from close range.

The Magpies made it a memorable twenty minutes when Santangelo completed his hat-trick in fine style. Latching on to a through ball, the marksman bore down on Vista’s goal and slotted away Hahndorf’s fourth score of the match, the cool finish giving Vista’s ‘keeper no chance. It was a stunning opening charge from the Magpies, the forwards and midfielders using their speed, passing and possession to set Vista back on their heels.

Modbury Vista lifted their game and created several chances but they couldn’t get a clear shot on goal, a few shots passing well wide of the goal and those that were on target were comfortably dealt with by McGrath. Central defenders Lewington and Lindon made the Vista forwards earn possession and the Modbury side found the final pass a difficult proposition as they struggled to make an impression on the scoreboard.

Hahndorf were enjoying the match, Noble, Sawers, Hermel and the Holland brothers finding their passing game to win the midfield possession. Hahndorf almost added a fifth just before half time, Santangelo again on the end of a defence splitting pass but he lifted his shot just wide of goal.

In the second half, Hahndorf changed their formation a little to protect their lead and to counter a more attacking opposition, Modbury Vista having little to lose by throwing more players up front. The half developed into a more even affair with both teams using the space on offer to retain the ball and play their way forward.

Lewington was particularly obstructionist to the Vista forwards, the robust defender winning most of the contested balls and dominating the aerial duels. The play ebbed and flowed, neither team able to create a clear chance during the first fifteen minutes of the half.

Hahndorf maintained their passing game, Noble notable for his industrious work in winning and keeping possession while Hermel and Sawers used the spaces on the flanks. The Magpies made their first substitution when T.Holland suffered an injury and was replaced by Gary Ledson. The hard working midfielder was straight into the match as Hahndorf kept the Vista side at bay.

However, with twenty minutes to go, Modbury Vista did get on the scoreboard, the Magpie defence blocking an initial shot but failing to clear it effectively and a Vista forward struck a solid goal to give them a glimmer of hope.

Hahndorf answered the challenge in the best possible way, maintaining their four goal buffer through Noble within five minutes of the restart. The prodigiously talented midfielder won the ball on the edge of the penalty area and unbalanced the defender before drilling a low shot into the corner of goal.

The goal effectively killed off Modbury Vista’s challenge, with players on both teams feeling the effects of the large pitch in combination with the first warm day in recent memory. Hahndorf brought on two more substitutes, Kieran Guest and Jesse Konstantinoff making a valuable appearance at either end of the ground as the Magpies looked to close out the match. Vista tied to add to their score but the Hahndorf defence remained resolute under pressure and gave the northern suburbs side no joy before the referee whistled for full time.

It was an emphatic and deserved victory for Hahndorf, set up by a blistering four goal burst in the opening twenty minutes to take them to the Cup final in two weeks time. All players put in a tremendous effort, the team working as a unit at both ends of the pitch and dictating terms in the middle.

Next week Hahndorf play a League catch up match, a valuable three points on offer at Murray Bridge to maintain the Magpies push for promotion.