Reserve Cup - Round Two: FC Adelaide V Hahndorf

Reserves Cup Round 2: FC Adelaide V Hahndorf

The Reserve Cup matches continue to motivate the Hahndorf Magpies, the latest 2-1 triumph over FC Adelaide driven by perseverance and teamwork.


The last encounter between the two sides was several years ago and resulted in a lopsided 8-1 hammering of the Magpies. The latest Hahndorf edition were keen to give a better account of themselves and they started the match on the front foot.

Ash Parr, Steve Ness, Rupert “Crusher” Lindon and John Lawler quickly took hold of the midfield, the strong combination defending high up the pitch and giving Kayne Stubing and Jesse Konstantinoff some early glimpses of goal. The Magpies used the wings to get behind the FC Adelaide full backs, but despite getting into some promising positions, the crosses from out wide failed to find the strikers.

Hahndorf had more luck picking their way through the middle, both Stubing and Konstantinoff firing a few shots on target but the FC ‘keeper had the goal covered. The visitors largely dominated the opening twenty minutes, Hahndorf’s possession punctuated by a few forward thrusts by FC Adelaide but defenders Dan Mardle, Andy Craig, Luke Guest and Kyle Eglinton had the potential danger under control.

A corner by Hahndorf found Guest at the far post and he headed back across goal for Konstantinoff to bundle over the line. However, the Magpies celebrations were cut short when the referee disallowed the goal for handball. The close call seemed to galvanise the FC side and they began to move the ball with more purpose and the Hahndorf goal came under threat. Some careless marking allowed the hosts to take the lead, a cross was met by an unchallenged FC player and he gave the Hahndorf ‘keeper no chance, slotting into goal from ten metres.

The goal did not dampen the Magpies enthusiasm and they remained true to their game plan, finding space out wide and looking to deliver an accurate ball into the middle. The midfield battle was hotly contested, with both teams closing opponents down quickly and the hard, uneven bounce of the surface an extra element to contend with.

Hahndorf continued to push forward and were rewarded for their persistence with the equaliser five minutes before half time. Guest again was targeted from a corner and this time he planted his bullet-like header directly into the net for a fine equaliser. Going into the break, Hahndorf were encouraged by some good attacking moves while the defence capably held FC Adelaide at bay.

The second stanza continued the thrust and parry between the two teams while the southerly breeze strengthened, Hahndorf facing a headwind as they drove their attack forward. The wings offered the best route to goal, the space wide enticing both teams to spread the ball across the park. Ness and Lindon continued to battle in the midfield, winning important possessions and frustrating the FC Adelaide playmakers.

Hahndorf continued to build momentum with their attacks but they failed to land a meaningful blow. A corner found Craig at the far post and he fired in a volley that struck Konstantinoff’s head and flew over the bar. FC Adelaide pressed forward but often the Hahndorf players made good positions to block their progress, causing the hosts to rely on the long throw to gain entry into the Magpies penalty area.

Chris Hyde replaced an injured Stubing and almost scored with his first touch, the experienced striker getting onto Konstantinoff’s searching cross but pushing his shot just wide of the post. Parr found the best form of defence was attack and battled his way past several opponents before hitting a searing shot across the face of goal.

Tom Stevens entered the play in the combative midfield and linked up well with Parr, Lindon and Ness as Hahndorf searched for a goal. The Magpies pressure eventually drew a mistake from the FC Adelaide defence, a handball in the penalty area was seen by the referee and he pointed to the spot. Konstantinoff stepped up to direct a well-struck shot past the reach of the goalkeeper and give Hahndorf a deserved 2-1 lead.

With fifteen minutes remaining, FC Adelaide had plenty of time to find an equaliser but the Magpies rallied in defence to stop any meaningful shots on goal. Mardle, Craig, Guest and Eglinton gave their opponents little respite and the Magpie ‘keeper had few genuine saves to make, FC Adelaide’s best effort a hopeful flick that sailed wide of the goal.

Ben “Beninho” Wells made a late entry into the match and carved out a few openings before the referee whistled the end of the match. It was a good win for the Magpies as they move into the next round of the Cup, the team putting in a solid performance across the park.


Next week sees a return to league fixtures, the Hahndorf Magpies travelling away to West Thebarton to take on title contenders, the MA Hawks. The Super Cs look to continue their good form when they host fellow hills side, Strathalbyn.