Round 8: Hahndorf V Croydon Cougars

Hahndorf V Croydon Cougars

Hahndorf and the Croydon Cougars fought out an entertaining and highly contested match for the 8th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd Division, the visitors taking their chances in the 1-3 result.

Competition between the two clubs has historically been fierce and the clash on the weekend was no exception with both teams determined to claim the three points on offer.

Hahndorf started brightly, using the quick forward line of Jordan Webber and Kayne Stubing to unsettle the Cougar defence. Webber had several good opportunities to open the scoring but found his radar astray despite the support from midfielders Leo Santangelo, Chris Sawers, Jack Farrimond and Luke Guest.

The Cougars fought back and the match developed into a fairly even affair before Webber atoned for his earlier misses with a well taken one on one, the bustling forward bursting onto a through ball and smashing it past the advancing goalkeeper.

The teams continued to trade attacks, defenders Scott Schubert, Michael Lewington and Dan Hermel marshalled by the experienced Steve Noble to repel most of the visitors forays. However, Hahndorf were at sixes and sevens when the Cougars struck back through a free kick and the ball was lofted into the top corner of the net with goalkeeper Mark McGrath unable to get an effective hand on it.

As half time approached, the Magpies had the chance to take the lead once again but although they held the ball in the Cougars penalty area, the play passed across goal several times before it eventually lobbed into the ‘keeper’s arms.

The Cougars began the second half with a series of attacks and put Hahndorf’s defence under pressure, Lewington and Noble working hard to keep the visitors at bay. The Magpies found relief with some long balls down the wings but Stubing and Webber could not develop the moves into more serious attacks.

The context of the match turned after the referee correctly turned down a penalty appeal by the Cougars and in retaliation, Hermel almost had his kneecap removed by a wildly aimed kick. Handbags at two paces deteriorated into a more serious fracas drawing in the majority of players, plus a substitute or two. After the dust had settled the referee produced the red card and sent off one player from each side.

Resumption of play gave a chance to Hahndorf but Lewington’s header from Hermel’s deep throw could only find the Cougar ‘keeper. The Magpies then gifted a goal to the visitors, an horrendous back pass setting up the Cougars forward and he slotted the goal past the stranded ‘keeper. The following ten minutes were frantic with neither side taking control and the play went end to end without a serious threat to goal.

Schubert and Lewington cut out many of the visitor’s attacks and Guest denied the Cougars a clear chance with a great last-ditch tackle. Hahndorf brought on Jesse Konstantinoff and Ash Parr as the Magpies started to play better and went searching for an equaliser.

Sawers set up Stubing but the forward shot over the bar and the Cougars made them pay for the miss with their third goal, a deftly curled effort finding the top corner from the fringe of the penalty area.

Hahndorf continued to throw players forward and pushed the Cougars into some harried defence. A punched clearance fell to Sawers but his solid strike was hit at the goalkeeper, while the Cougars also wasted a good chance, blasting over the bar. The Magpies revival never materialised despite their late surge with the referee signalling the end to the engaging contest.

Man of the Match for the magpies was Michael Lewington, who was a rock in defence all day, with Chris Sawers and Luke Guest making fine contributions during the match.


Reserves
Despite playing some attractive soccer, the Hahndorf Reserves went down 0-2 to the Cougars, a number of close chances adding to their frustration.

The Magpies gave up a goal within the first minutes of the match when goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke misjudged a looping ball and the Cougars took full advantage to bundle it into the net.

The early goal inspired the visitors and the Hahndorf defence worked hard to keep the Cougars from adding to the score, Kyle Eglington, Kieran Guest, Andy Craig and Ash Parr under pressure in the opening twenty minutes. The Magpies began to regain their shape and forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Chris Hyde tested the opposition defence.

As Scott Breaker, Steve Ness, Tom Stevens and Rupert “Crusher” Lindon exerted their influence in the middle of the park, Hahndorf settled into rhythm and the match evened out. Hahndorf and Cougars managed to score what appeared to be legitimate goals within minutes of each other but both goals were contentiously ruled offside. Tim Staniford replaced the injured Breaker as the respective defences tightened up. Clear chances were rare as a result and the cauldron of the midfield saw most of the first half action.

John Lawler entered the match at half time as the Magpies set about redressing the balance of the scoreboard. The hosts began to create some good chances but found the Cougars ‘keeper in spectacular form. Twice Hahndorf looked to have equalised with shots going into the top corner but for some acrobatic saves by the ‘keeper to deny them.

The Cougars answered with some attacks of their own and hit the crossbar with their best effort. Guest hit back for Hahndorf, launching a huge free kick from over halfway that nearly caught out the Cougars as it crashed into the bar. Lawler also hit the bar, his curling shot beating the ‘keeper but not dipping enough to avoid the woodwork.

The Magpies brought on Dan Mardle, sending the versatile Parr into the forward line where he found good opportunities but was wayward with his direction. Lindon made a fine run down the wing, cutting inside his marker to deliver a sterling cross but Konstantinoff got under the ball and headed it over the bar from close in.

Further pressure from Hahndorf saw a series of chances pass in rapid succession, some desperate Cougar defending clearing the ball off the line when it seemed inevitable that the Magpies would score. However it was not to be and the Cougars rubbed salt into Hahndorf’s frustration with a second goal two minutes from full time


There were many good performances across the park for Hahndorf, Steve Ness. Kieran Guest, Rupert Lindon, Andy Craig and Kyle Eglinton in fine form despite the disappointing result.

Super Cs
The Super Cs extended their winning streak with a solid 2-0 win over CCM United. Despite their profligacy in front of goal, the mixture of veterans and youngsters did enough to seal the win and continue their rise up the table.

Next week the Hahndorf Reserves are the only senior side in action when they travel to Cowandilla to meet FC Adelaide in the second round of the cup.