Round 2: Adelaide Budapest V Hahndorf

Adelaide Budapest V Hahndorf

On a blustery day Hahndorf travelled to the far reaches of Kilkenny to battle with Adelaide Budapest, the visitors showing great determination for their first win of the season, scoring twice in the final minutes to triumph 3-2.

With a few injuries and absences, Hahndorf had their depth tested and mananged to to field a very competitive team against their more experienced opposition. Nathaniel Brooke led the defence from goal with Mike Lewington, Steve Noble, Matt Norris and Ash Parr in the backline. Hahndorf were immediately on the front foot and looked to exploit the flanks with Dan Hermel and Tom Holland pushing past the Budapest fullbacks. The first clear chance fell to forward Kayne Stubing after striking partner Jordan Webber used his bustling pace to centre the ball. Stubing did the hard work in getting past the advancing ‘keeper but with the goal beckoning, he shot weakly and it was intercepted before finding the net.

In the early running, Hahndorf largely had the bulk of the play, Luke Guest and Scott Schubert doing the hard graft in midfield and the Magpie defenders on top of their opponents. Hermel and Holland were stretching Budapest wide to extent that Holland was brought down in a cynical challenge as he stepped past his marker, the foul earning the Budapest player a yellow card. Stubing and Webber were a threat up front and the former almost scored, forcing the home ‘keeper to tip a fierce shot past the post.

Budapest also had an opportunity from a free kick, however Brooke made good ground to effect the save. Soon after the hosts had a good chance to score but with the goal on offer, club stalwart Norris was at his defensive best to clear off the line as the home team began to assert themselves on the match. With half time fast approaching, Budapest enjoyed some possession and headed past the post from a good position while Noble made an excellent tackle when Budapest were building up a good attack. The half ended with both teams having a few opportunities but neither could take advantage as a several willing tackles punctuated the play.

After half time, Hahndorf brought on Chris Sawers and the teams resumed battle as the wind increased in strength. Budapest adapted better to the conditions as the Magpies struggled to get into their passing rhythym, the host defence cutting off the Handorf forwards. The pressure eventually resulted in Budapest scoring, a cross giving the home side a sight at goal and despite Brooke’s initial parry, the ball came back with interest for the first score of the match.

Hahndorf continued to battle and drew level when a good Brooke clearance found Hermel out wide. Streaking down the flank, Hermel skipped past a couple of defenders before picking out Stubing in the middle. Stubing sized up the goal and struck a solid shot past the outstretched ‘keeper.

Aiming to double the score, Stubing and Hermel combined soon after but the shot went astray, the Magpies speed on the wings really having and impact on the tiring Budapest players. However it was the home team that hit back to take advantage of some poor defending by the Magpies, giving up possession in their own penalty area and paying the price as Budapest went 2-1 up with fifteen minutes remaining.

The match looked to be within Budapest’s grasp; despite Hahndorf having a younger and quicker team, they had trouble finding the right combination of passes, often choosing the wrong option. Webber carved out an opportunity after Holland played him in to space but the effort was fired wide.

Hahndorf went looking for an equaliser, bringing on Jesse Konstantinoff as the minutes ebbed away. A break down the wing set up another chance for Hahndorf, Hermel sending Stubing racing past his marker. Looking up, he centred to Webber who guided his header back across goal and found the corner of the net.

The equaliser seemed to suck the wind out of Budapest’s sail and Hahndorf went on the attack down the wing. Hermel weaved his way down the sideline and drew level with the penalty area before putting in a tantalising cross that drew out the Budapest custodian. Racing in, Webber reached the ball before the ‘keeper and went past him, pushing the ball across goal for Stubing to smash into the net from two metres.

The winning goal sent the travelling fans into frenzied celebration, the Magpies completing a great escape in the final four minutes of the match. Man of the Match was Kayne Stubing with Jordan Webber and Scott Schubert also putting in great performances.


Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves put in a good team effort under trying conditions and ran out 3-1 winners against Adelaide Budapest, goals to Jesse Konstantinoff and Rupert Lindon giving the Magpies the three points.

Making a guest appearance in goal was Luke Guest with Kyle Eglinton, Andy Craig, Kieran Guest and Daniel Mardle in defence. Rupert Lindon, Stephen Ness, Tom Stevens and Angus Hambrook filled out the midfield, supporting front-runners John Lawler and Jesse Konstantinoff.

Hahndorf almost made a perfect start, passing the ball around well and finding some early gaps in the Budapest defence. They were denied a legitimate penalty when Konstantinoff was brought down in the box, but the referee had trouble with his whistle and the appeals went unheeded.

The Magpies continued to use the wide space on offer, Hambrook being particularly productive on the left side. Stevens and Lindon distributed from the middle and Konstantinoff benefitted when he opened the scoring after twenty minutes.

Konstantinoff received the ball in the right channel, stormed into the penalty area and blasted the ball past the home ‘keeper to put Hahndorf one goal up.
Ten minutes later the Magpies doubled their lead, an incisive through ball by Hambrook releasing Lindon and his Thursday night training paid off as he beat the goalkeeper one-on-one and slotted the ball into the net.

The second half began with Hahndorf looking to increase their goal tally but some wayward finishing kept the hosts in the match, Lindon and Stevens unable to find the net from good positions. The Magpies then went through a period where their passing game deserted them and Budapest upped the pressure. Tim Staniford and Alex Robson entered the fray as Budapest sensed an upset was in the offing. A clearance off the line saved Hahndorf once but soon after a chip arced over L.Guest to give Budapest hope at 2-1.

Hahndorf held their nerve and continued the press for another score, Lawler bringing a top save from the Budapest ‘keeper when his curling shot looked to have found the top corner. With time running out, Hambrook went on another of his countless forays down the wing, easily breaking clear of his marker and putting a pin-point pass to Konstantinoff. One-on-one with the ‘keeper, Konstantinoff blasted the ball into goal to seal the win with what was the last play of the match.

Man of the Match for Hahndorf was Rupert Lindon with Steve Ness and Angus Hambrook also having outstanding contributions.

Next week the Magpies will look to make it consecutive wins when they take on the undefeated Vipers at the Pine Avenue Arena. The Super Cs have the long trip to Elizabeth East where they will visit the Northern Wolves.