The 9th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer Association saw a gallant effort by the depleted Hahndorf outfit against title contenders MA Hawks, the visitors conceding a late goal in the 2-1 defeat.
The Hahndorf Magpies were forced to test the depth of the club due to injuries, absences and sickness, giving five players a chance to step up a grade after playing in the Reserves the previous week. The new draftees stepped seamlessly into the Hahndorf structure and the team wasted no time in getting stuck into the MA Hawks, the two sides having some titanic tussles in the past.
Hahndorf started well and may have caught the hosts off their guard, forwards Jordan Webber, Kieran Guest and Jesse Konstantinoff keen to explore the forward areas of the wide pitch. Dan Hermel, Steve Ness and Rupert “Crusher” Lindon battled for the spoils of midfield as the two sides strove for ascendancy.
Early chances fell to Webber, twice the vigorous striker pierced the Hawks defence but was unable to beat the Hawks ‘keeper in the one-on-one situations. However, Hahndorf set the game alight with the opening score soon after, Konstantinoff passing to Hermel and the sprightly winger surprising the hosts with a thunderous goal from a wide position.
Ness and Hermel were instrumental in the middle of the park; the latter providing the link between the defence and forward lines while Ness disrupted the Hawks’ midfield play. The match had developed into an even affair, when ten minutes from half time the Magpies conceded a penalty, Norris very unlucky to clip the Hawks’ forward as they chased a ball into the penalty area.
Hahndorf ‘keeper Mark McGrath made a good attempt to stop the penalty but it was well placed in the corner to bring up the equaliser. The MA Hawks tried to capitalise on their good fortune with a series of attacks just on half time and almost scored from a late corner but Parr was at the back post to firmly clear for the Magpies.
The second stanza began with sweeping rain to add some slipperiness to the very firm pitch, causing the ball to skid through in addition to the high bounce. Both teams had their opportunities in the early exchanges but neither side could find the target. Lindon contributed some timely tackles and the Hahndorf rearguard was vigilant to the Hawks threat. With his height, Guest remained a target man up front and caused concern in the Hawks defence. Hermel continued to provide highlights with his efforts, a long shot going over the bar while another passed wide of goal.
Injury forced Webber from the ground and brought speedster Kayne Stubing into the match. The Hawks threatened to break open the match but some resolute defending, combined with the woodwork, kept the score at parity and frustrated the home side.
The Hawks hit back with a good build up which resulted in them hitting the crossbar for a third time. Stubing also had another great opportunity, bursting through on goal and going past the ‘keeper but carrying the ball too wide to get an effective shot away. The action went end to end with both teams desperate in defence and creating some fine chances, however neither side could land a decisive blow.
A sweeping move saw McGrath distribute to Schubert and he played a fine ball to Stubing out wide. The winger arrowed his pass to a contest at the far post where a defensive header led to a corner for the Magpies. Ness rose well for the corner but placed his header over the crossbar. With ten minutes remaining, the Hawks responded in attack but were denied by McGrath. However he was powerless to stop the Hawks scoring at the front post from a corner seconds later, the goal a cruel blow to the travelling Magpies.
Hahndorf did their best to even the score, a period of sustained pressure pushing the Hawks defence with some long throws into the box. A knockdown by Guest found Hermel and he shot with venom, but the ball passed wide of goal with what was Hahndorf’s last attack.
It was a disappointing loss but one tempered with some outstanding performances, Steve Ness taking Man of the Match honours with Dan Hermel and Kieran Guest close behind with their efforts. It was a solid performance by the Magpies, the reshuffled side giving some players the opportunity to step up and show their versatility.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered a 4-0 loss against the MA Hawks, the Magpies unable to recover from a three goal second half by the hosts.
From the outset the Hahndorf team found themselves under attack as the Hawks pushed forward with a helpful wind at their backs. With no regular ‘keeper to call on, Angus Hambrook volunteered for the role and found that the busy position was excellent in warding off the cold. Veteran Andy Craig, Ben “Beninho” Wells, Dan Mardle and Kyle Eglinton had their hands full quelling the Hawks attacks as the home side laid siege to the Hahndorf goal for the opening twenty minutes of the match.
Shaun Smith, Tom Stevens, Tim Staniford and Nat Stewart managed to get the Hahndorf midfield going with some promising moves to bring forwards John Lawler and Chris Hyde into the match. Just when it seemed that the Magpies had weathered the worst of the Hawks attacking drive, they conceded a free just outside the penalty area and a well-struck kick curled into the far post to break the deadlock.
The Magpies continued to battle and found space out wide in which to exploit the Hawks. Hahndorf struggled to gain momentum but forced the Hawks back on several occasions. Lawler put in a fine cross for Hyde but his near post header flashed wide of the mark.
Alex “Shinboner” Robson entered the fray and the Magpies battled hard to put a score on the board. Kinlough and Hyde had opportunities but the Hawks defence held firm. Savage, Smith and Staniford were industrious as the Magpies pushed further into the Hawks territory.
A penalty to the Hawks gave Hambrook a highlight, brilliantly diving left to deny the solidly struck ball a path to goal and chalking up a small victory for the stand in ‘keeper. However, the Hawks struck a fourth goal, a neat free finding the corner before time was called on the game.
Despite the loss, Hahndorf team did experiment with a couple of formations and the match gave some Super Cs players the chance to step up a level. There were many solid contributions across the park including Smith, Eglinton, Stevens and an outstanding effort by Hambrook, stepping into the ‘keepers role at the last minute.
Super Cs
With the Club player stocks ravaged by injury, the Super Cs could only manage to field ten players against Strathalbyn, the Magpies going down 1-4 with Tony Carter scoring the only goal for the home team.
Next week Hahndorf begin the second half of the season with a visit to the Adelaide Titans at Henley Beach, while the Super Cs are also away to McLaren District.
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