Round 7: USC Lion V Hahndorf

USC Lion V Hahndorf

A solid Hahndorf unit travelled to Grange for 7th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd Division against fellow promotees USC Lion, the Magpies putting on an unyielding performance to run out 3-0 winners.

The visiting Hahndorf team started well against USC Lion, pushing the ball around with precision on the large pitch, Leo Santangelo, Luke Guest, Chris Sawers and Michael Lewington controlling the centre and enjoying the true bounce. Hahndorf pushed forward, looking to release forwards Kayne Stubing and Jordan Webber, the pair eager to exploit the space behind the Lion defence.

Lion struggled to match the pace of Hahndorf, but wanted to attack the Magpies, their most significant threat coming from the long throw. However, Steve Noble had the defence organised with Scott Schubert, Jack Farrimond and the versatile Dan Hermel keeping the Lion forwards honest.

A good opening twenty minutes saw the Magpies largely on top and they created the better chances. A good piece of skill by Guest set up Sawers at the far post but the dynamic winger struck the post with his sharp attempt. Hahndorf used their pace to expose the Lion backline, exemplified when Stubing raced into the penalty area only to be brought down by a desperate lunge. Santangelo stepped up to hit the resultant penalty but his placement found the legs of the Lion ‘keeper. Fortunately for the Magpies the rebound fell back to Santangelo and he made no mistake the second time, blasting the ball into the net.

Hahndorf drew confidence from the goal and sought to build upon their lead. Stubing was again involved in the action but failed to find the target and the Magpies constructed some quality possession before Hermel shaped a shot over the bar. USC Lion continued to find their best avenue to goal was the long throw, one landing in the heart of the penalty area and causing some consternation for Hahndorf before Farrimond was able to clear.

With halftime nearing, the Magpies found Sawers free and he broke down the flank before unleashing a thunderous strike that found the corner of the net, the Lion ‘keeper getting an ineffectual hand to the ball as it powered past him.

The Magpies leapt out of the blocks at the beginning of the second half, a quick movement down the wing caught the Lion defence by surprise and Webber was presented with a great chance but unluckily stepped on the ball as he honed in on goal.

The close call woke the sleeping Lion outfit and they put together some of their best moves of the match, however the Hahndorf defence was firm, and the few shots the home side had were dealt with by ‘keeper Mark McGrath. Hermel and Sawers continued to cause havoc on the wings and in one section of play, Hermel was taken down, recovered and then taken down again seconds later before finally getting a well-deserved free kick.

Lion continued to develop their play better in the second half, but a solid performance from Magpie ‘keeper Mark McGrath denied the hosts, while Noble was at his miserly best in blocking a few Lion shots before an injury forced him to be replaced by Rupert Lindon. USC Lion then had a great chance to get back in the match when they were awarded a penalty, however McGrath was impenetrable and fended off the penalty strike with his legs.

To add insult to the Lion miss, seconds later the Magpies added their third goal, Sawers bursting down the flank and delivered a fine cross to find Webber alone just metres from goal, the bustling forward smashing the ball into the net. Hahndorf continued to push for further goals, Hermel sending Stubing away on a break and the speedy forward set up his fellow forward but Webber headed over the bar.

USC Lion found the Magpies difficult to break down at the back, Schubert, Lewington and Farrimond proving to be obstinate to Lion’s advances. Santangelo and Guest provided stability in the middle, the former sending Webber in on goal with a precision pass, but the forward found the goalkeeper with his effort. Hermel continued to weave his magic out wide and late in the match he went on a dazzling run past the tiring Lion defence before hitting a searing shot that brought out a top save, the home ‘keeper just tipping the effort over the bar.

The win by Hahndorf went some way to avenging their loss in the corresponding fixture last year and the three points keeps the Magpies firmly in mid-table. Man of the Match was Chris Sawers, a goal and some scintillating runs drawing plaudits while Dan Hermel and Mark McGrath both had pivotal roles in Hahndorf’s victory.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves fought out a fairly even contest but were unlucky to concede a late Lion goal, the 2-1 score a disappointing result for their efforts.

Hahndorf continued to work out the kinks in their new formation, but matched up well against the USC Lion unit. A few early sights on goal by Lion drew Hahndorf ‘keeper Nathaniel Brooke into the action and defenders Kyle Eglinton, Kieran Guest, Dan Mardle and veteran Andy Craig worked hard in the opening period.

The Magpies settled into the game and put together some neat passes, Eglinton, Chris Hyde and Scott Breaker working the angles. John Lawler and Steve Ness held the midfield while Rupert “Crusher” Lindon found space out wide to bring Jesse Konstantinoff into attack. Konstantinoff tested the Lion ‘keeper with several good efforts but the Magpies could not find an opening goal.

An injury brought “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas into the game with both teams looking for the ascendancy. Each side got into some threatening positions but it wasn’t until the last five minutes of the half before a goal was scored. Hahndorf defended high up the pitch and forced a turnover, Lawler and Hyde combining to put Konstantinoff through on goal. The hard running forward lashed the ball into the net to round off a fine move by the Magpies.

However, the lead did not last long as Lion hit back immediately to level the score, a free kick to the near post causing confusion and the ball was poked home in the last action of the half.

The second stanza saw USC Lion and Hahndorf on the attack, several chances at either end keeping up the excitement for both sets of supporters. Hyde, Konstantinoff, Lindon and Eglinton made all the right moves but found the Lion ‘keeper in good form.

The Magpies brought on Angus Hambrook and Tom Stevens into the match as the intensity lifted, the play going end to end as both sides searched for a goal. The Magpies defence looked to have contained the threatening Lions, but a lapse in concentration let the hosts score their second with fifteen minutes remaining.

Hahndorf threw themselves forward and had several chances to equalise, the closest occurring when Ness headed against the underside of the bar and the ball bounced on the line before being recovered by the ’keeper. The Magpies continued to push for a goal but time ran out before they could convert their chances.

It was a disappointing loss for the Magpies, the team with strong performances across the park, Andy Craig, Chris Hyde, Steve Ness, Scott Breaker and Rupert Lindon amongst the best on the day.

Super Cs.
The Super Cs made it consecutive wins, holding on to run out 4-3 winners against a young Southern Breakers side. Former First team goal machine Tony Carter showed age has not blunted his sharpshooter instincts, bagging a hat-trick, with veteran Jim Simpson also on target with a fine header. Leading 4-0, the tiring legs of the Magpies survived a second half Breaker surge in an exciting finish.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies host the Cougars at the Pine Avenue Arena while the Super Cs are away to CCM United at Windsor Gardens.