The final round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League was played out in warm and windy conditions at Pine Avenue between Hahndorf and the MA Hawks, the latter prevailing 1-2 in an entertaining and competitive match.
With Hahndorf clear of relegation woes and the visiting Hawks guaranteed of promotion, the final match could have turned into a rather dull “dead rubber”, but instead both sides went looking for the win from the opening whistle. Hahndorf promoted Reserves ‘keeper Andy Jones to a First team debut, with an experienced defensive formation of Steve Noble, Dan Hermel, Michael Lewington and Andy Craig in front of him.
The MA Hawks and the Magpies made their attacking intentions clear with some lively opening exchanges as the opposing teams sized each other up. Matt Norris and Kayne Stubing ranged along the frontline to keep their opponents on notice and the midfield battle was engaged with relish by Setve Ness and Jack Farrimond. With Tom Holland willing to switch play with some raking cross field passes to Chris Sawers, the Magpies looked to get behind the Hawks’ backline and Sawers obliged, drilling a low cross that begged for a final touch but neither forward could lay a boot on ball.
Stubing tried his luck from distance but the shot failed to beat the ‘keeper as Hahndorf tried to get an early goal. The Hawks countered with some neat attacking moves to keep Hahndorf’s defenders alert and they had a good chance to score but the shot found the side netting. Jones made a few good stops to get his eye in and the defence worked hard to blunt the Hawks’ attack.
Hahndorf went close when Holland found Stubing at the front post and he slid the ball across but again Hahndorf had no-one there for the final touch. Ness tried his luck with a determined run from halfway line but his shot was comfortably saved. The referee then took issue with a linesman and wanted him replaced, threatening to abandon the match before a willing spectator took over the flag waving duties.
The Hawks put Hahndorf under pressure and Craig stepped in to block a couple of Hawks shots, one returned with interest but Jones knocked it out for a corner. The visitors were unable to get much out of their corner kicks with Lewington, Hermel and Craig consistently getting to the aerial balls in the penalty area. However, they were caught out at the back post on one occasion but Jones was in good position to collect the goal-bound header.
With the half in its closing stages, Hahndorf were more than holding their own and the tight contest was producing some fine pieces of play from both teams.
The second half got off to a rude start for the Magpies who were tardy with the kickoff and the Hawks flew in to take advantage of a sloppy back pass, the visitors smacking a shot off the post to jolt the home side out of their lethargy. Sawers replied with a sharp run down the wing before he was unceremoniously brought to ground but calls for a free fell on deaf ears.
Overhead, the gathering of dark clouds looked ominous with a few spots of rain about but it was Hahndorf who were soon to be under a deluge of Hawks possession after Norris picked up his second yellow card for a rash challenge and was sent from the pitch for an early shower. The Magpies retained their defensive shape but they came under increasing pressure as the Hawks used their numerical advantage to keep the Hahndorf midfield working overtime. Several chances loomed for the visitors but Hahndorf remained resolute in defence, Lewington brilliantly cutting out one of the more promising moves by the Hawks.
Sawers remained Hahndorf’s best route to goal and several good runs down the wing almost provided the opening goal. However, it was the Hawks who were to prise open the defence, a neat build up left the Magpies short at the back and a precision finish by the unmarked Hawk gave them the lead. Minutes later they doubled their advantage with a goal by the visiting forward, a solo run across the park finished with a clinical strike into the top corner that gave Jones no chance.
Hahndorf answered with some steady build up play and a shot at goal earned them a corner. Holland picked out Sawers with the set piece but the well hit volley scraped over the bar. Hahndorf’s day looked to worsen when a Hawks player was brought down in the box but Jones enhanced his reputation as a penalty stopper with brilliant parry, his fifth save from six penalty attempts to keep the Magpies in the match.
Jordan Webber was brought on in the final ten minutes as Hahndorf gained belief from Jones’ heroics and the home team began to take the fight back to the visiting Hawks. Webber was fouled as the Magpies pushed forward and Stubing lined up the free kick from just outside the penalty area. Hahndorf moved all their big men forward for the free and Stubing drilled a low shot that Lewington expertly turned past the Hawks’ ‘keeper.
The 1-2 score further enlivened the final minutes as Hahndorf pressed for an equaliser with Holland, Stubing and Sawers all a threat. However, despite the late pressure, Hahndorf were unable to find a second goal before the entertaining match ended. The ten men of Hahndorf put up a gallant display but were unable to overcome a confident MA Hawks who have been consistent all season and fully deserve to go up to the Premier league next year.
Man of the Match for Hahndorf went to Tom Holland, who had an inspired game, with Steve Ness and Chris Sawers also in fine form. The match brings the season to an end for the Magpies and coach Steve Handley will be happy that the Club has retained a place in the 2nd Division, the first time Hahndorf has consolidated promotion to a higher league, and will look to build upon the experience gained this year to put out a competitive Hahndorf unit next season.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves were humbled by a rampant Hawks outfit, the two teams reliving Manchester United’s thrashing of Arsenal with an identical score line of 2-8.
Hahndorf entered the match with plenty of promise and in the early running looked to confirm that when Jordan Webber scored minutes into the match, the rambunctious forward beating a couple of defenders before finding the net with a fine strike.
However, the Hawks soon hit back through a header and the match took on a strange complexion whereby both teams created chances but only the visitors took full toll in the very open play of the first twenty-five minutes.
Kieran Guest partnered Webber up in the forward line and along with Rupert Lindon, created some good opportunities, Lindon forcing a fine save from the Hawks’ ‘keeper.
In a new look defence, Scott Breaker, Gary Ledson, Ash Parr and “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas strove to match the Hawks movement but some mix ups between them and Magpie custodian Nathaniel Brooke gifted two quick goals to the visitors. Kyle Eglinton, Tom Stevens and Angus “House” Hambrook fought to wrestle control back for the Magpies and some great passing went unrewarded with a shot cannoning off the goalpost.
With both teams in an attacking frame of mind, the open play punished mistakes and Hahndorf went further behind when Brooke misjudged a ball and was beaten to the bounce, the forward rolling the goal past the stranded ‘keeper. Webber, however, was in good form and made a tremendous strike on goal after a fine piece of control but the ‘keeper was equal to the task and parried the ball away. Another loose period of play saw the Magpies concede a fifth before half time and added to their frustration.
A stern word or three from coach Phil Stevens at the break brought Hahndorf into some semblance of shape during the second half, but again some silly errors and miscommunication was punished by the Hawks as they piled on a further three goals. Guest brought a moment of sunshine to the beleaguered Hahndorf team with an excellent strike to bring up the Magpies’ second goal but it did not lead to the revival sought by the hosts. Pockets of Hahndorf play showed that they were a genuine threat to the Hawks with some strong possession in the midfield and good chances in the attacking third of the pitch, but defensive errors cost the home team dearly.
Best on the day was Stevens, with Lindon, Webber and Eglinton competitive all match. The result was a disappointing end to the season for the Hahndorf Reserves who had been very competitive for most of the year.
Super Cs
The Super Cs went down to the top of the table McLaren District, 4-0, with Rob Green putting his hand up for Own Goal of the Year when he picked out the top corner of his own net with a class strike.
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