After a solid first half display, Hahndorf suffered a disappointing capitulation to second placed Adelaide University, collapsing to a 7-2 loss in their South Australian Amateur Soccer League Division 2 match.
A goal in the first minute gave Adelaide University the upper hand immediately, a deflected shot looping over Hahndorf goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke and giving him no chance. Hahndorf rallied from the early setback, adjusting to the high bounce and swirling conditions on an otherwise outstanding surface.
Steve Noble, Kieran Guest, Jack Farrimond and Michael Lewington asserted themselves in defence and restricted the lively University forward line.
The midfield was a hive of activity with Shaun Smith, Scott Schubert, Leo Santangelo and Dan Hermel pressing to counter the sharp movement of the opposition. Both teams closed the ball down quickly and few shots at goal were taken despite the best intentions of strikers Kayne Stubing and Jordan Webber.
The speed of Smith and Stubing caught the University side napping, a tardy pass in defence saw Smith nip in to steal the ball and he fed Stubing with an angled pass behind the backline. Stubing needed no second invitation and raced past his marker, sizing up the goal before slotting the ball past the advancing Adelaide ‘keeper for the equaliser.
Barely two minutes had past before Hahndorf took the lead in unusual circumstances. The University ‘keeper collected a routine ball and looked for a quick distribution but his aborted throw merely fell to Smith’s feet and he poked the ball to Stubing who side-footed it into the vacant net.
University replied with a dangerous cross, the ball volleyed wide of goal but serving a warning to the visitors. The midfield continued to provide most of the action, Lewington, Santangelo and Schubert involved in tight tussles across the park. University moved the ball well but failed to create much before an ill-directed goal kick presented them with a great chance and they duly took it. Pouncing on the poor clearance, the home side centred the ball and fine drive was hammered past Brooke from the edge of the penalty area.
The half ended with the score locked at two goals apiece despite a late shot by Stubing, the forward acrobatically hooking the ball over his shoulder but striking it straight at the Adelaide ‘keeper.
The entertaining play continued in the second stanza through an attack by University, Brooke deflecting a sharp effort wide. A second chance fell to the hosts from a free kick but the shot was blazed over the bar from close in.
Hahndorf answered with a half chance falling to Santangelo, the dynamic forward also hitting the ball over the bar. The visitors kept the pressure on, holding the ball in the final third of the pitch but a resolute defence prevented Hahndorf from getting a shot on goal. A few willing tackles were made by both teams as each sought the ascendancy, the match increasing in intensity.
The match swung decisively mid way through the half, a period of University possession resulted in a mix up in the Magpie defence, a cross bounced off a defender into the net for an unfortunate own goal. Hahndorf tried to mount a response but again found it hard to hit the target.
A series of long clearances were exchanged by the ‘keepers before University made a sweeping move that cut the ball inside and the striker placed his shot in the corner of the net for a 4-2 lead. Chris Sawers entered the match and initiated some promising moves down the wing but the Magpies struggled to make an impact in the forward line.
Conversely, the University side were beginning to find large holes in the Hahndorf defence and it wasn’t long before a fifth goal was conceded. The hosts were now rampant in possession and hit the post twice before Hahndorf could respond. Schubert latched onto a layoff by Farrimond but his shot found the University ‘keeper and Hermel’s long shot sailed over the bar.
In the final ten minutes the Hahndorf defence sat off their opponents and had no answers to the University examination. Hahndorf conceded a further two goals before the Magpies almost scored a consolation goal when Stubing sent a cross that just eluded Sawers alone on the back post.
It was a disappointing and uncharacteristic final twenty-five minutes by Hahndorf and they will need to lift themselves for their next match against fellow promotees USC Lion. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Jack Farrimond, with Leo Santangelo and Michael Lewington, all three players fighting hard all day.
Hahndorf Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves battled well all match against the top placed Adelaide University, the tight tussle settled by a single goal to the hosts.
The University side took the match up to Hahndorf from the kickoff, the Magpies trying out a new formation and they took a little time to settle in. Kyle Eglinton and Dan Mardle started alongside veterans Andy Craig and “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas, the defensive line kept busy in the early running.
Hahndorf ‘keeper Mark McGrath made some routine saves with the home side looking to open the scoring but finding their radar astray with several shots well wide of the mark. The midfield work hard to keep Adelaide under pressure, John Lawler, Scott Breaker, Rupert “Crusher” Lindon and Steve Ness all in the mix.
The Magpies tested the University keeper several times and forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Chris Hyde were encouraged by a couple of fumbles by the custodian, as the Magpies gained several corners from errors.
At the other end, Hahndorf worked on their defence to keep the University side from getting many chances on goal. The hosts kept the pressure up and with ten minutes left in the half, they eventually broke through. Hahndorf defended a high cross, but the headed clearance found a University player and he struck a cracking twenty metre volley which gave McGrath no chance.
The second half developed into a tight match, both teams aware that despite Adelaide making the majority of play, a goal to the Magpies could change the tide. Hahndorf brought Tin Staniford into the game as the visitors strove to find an equaliser, runs by Konstantinoff and Hyde meeting solid resistance.
On the defensive, the Magpies fought well under pressure, Craig and Thomas marshalling the troops with the University side looking to increase their slender lead. A couple of penalty area scrambles by Hahndorf denied University, the Magpies defending in numbers to keep the ball out.
Alex Robson and Tom Stevens entered the fray, both adjusting well to the intensity of the match. Konstantinoff almost equalised for the visitors but a great save by the University ‘keeper maintained their lead. Both teams had several more chances to add to the score but the respective defences stood tall before the match was brought to an end.
Man of the match for Hahndorf was Steve Ness, who had an outstanding match, with solid contributions from Thomas, Breaker and Craig.
Super Cs
The super Cs played brilliantly to score their first win of the season, hitting good form at the right time with a 4-1 win over the Mt Lofty Eagles.
Next week Hahndorf travel to Grange to take on USC Lion and the Super Cs are hosting the Southern Breakers at the Pine Avenue Arena for their clash.
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