2012 Cup Round 1

First team: Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide Wanderers

A makeshift Hahndorf battled hard all day against Premier league opponents, the Adelaide Wanderers, however consistency rewarded the visitors with a 0-4 win.

Hahndorf took the opportunity to rest some players and try new formations in their clash against the Adelaide Wanderers, with their eye more focussed on League standings. Despite this, the Magpies put up a good effort against the slick Wanderers unit and nullified the attacking zeal of the visitors until just before half time. A well worked move by the Wanderers opened the Magpies up and the goal was slotted into the bottom corner.

The first half endeavour by Hahndorf created some good opportunities but they snatched at the chances and did not get the reward some of their play deserved. The assured, quick passing of the Wanderers showed the step up in quality between the Premier and 2nd divisions but Hahndorf showed great fighting spirit to make the match highly contestable.

A free kick to the Wanderers gave them a two nil lead in the second half, the ball squeezing under the Hahndorf custodian when he felt he could have done better. Further box to box action saw both teams create chances but again Hahndorf could not capitalise on their good work and the Wanderers were astray with their efforts. It wasn’t until the final ten minutes that the Wanderers added a third and then rounded out the day with a very late fourth.

The result was not unexpected but Hahndorf put up a fine effort to make the match entertaining and now the Magpies will regroup to focus on their League aspirations, starting with the away trip to the Adelaide Redblue Eagles.


Reserves Cup: Western Strikers V Hahndorf Magpies

A late equaliser by the Western Strikers forced the Hahndorf Reserves to dig deep and the Magpies responded to scored two extra time goals and advance to the next round of the cup with a 4-2 triumph.

The Magpies went into the Cup tie with a rearranged team, putting Vaughan Barratt between the sticks with Steve Noble, Tim Staniford, Scott Breaker and Andy Craig forming the defensive line. “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas anchored the midfield containing Scott Graham, Kyle Eglinton and Jordan Webber, while Matt Norris and Kayne Stubing led the attack.

The wide open expanses of the Royal Park ground gave both teams the opportunity to spread play around as each looked for an early lead. The Strikers looked assured on their own patch, using the wings to good effect and after fifteen minutes, a fine cross gave them the opening the score with a neat finish at the far post.

The Magpies did not panic and began to string some good passages of play together and they had some chances on goal through Stubing and Webber. Graham was industrious in the middle and found Webber just outside the penalty area. Unleashing a sizzling drive, Webber picked out the top left corner of goal, giving the Strikers ‘keeper no chance with his classy strike.

With parity restored, the match settled and the teams traded periods of possession but were unable to convert any chances before half time, the Strikers having several ineffectual corners while Hahndorf’s shots went astray.

Hahndorf continued to build their game after the half time break, spreading the ball across the width of the pitch and had several opportunities to take the lead. Stubing and Graham continued to get into forward positions and after some quick exchanges, Graham put the Magpies up 2-1, rifling a low shot under the ’keeper and into goal.

The Magpies looked to have added a third soon after but a late offside call ruled out the score. The Strikers battled to get an equaliser but Craig and Thomas marshalled the defence to deny the hosts any easy shots. Time drew on and both teams were beginning to tire as the vast surface took its toll. Breaker, Staniford and Noble continued to keep the Strikers at bay but with minutes remaining the hosts equalised after getting behind the defence and finding the net from a tight angle.

Going into extra time the Magpies pushed the ball around well to get their speedy forwards in on goal. The Strikers had chances too but continued to shoot from outside the penalty area and these did not trouble Barratt. Hahndorf’s patient approach paid off when Webber put in his second goal, the rambunctious midfielder drilling the ball into the net after a fine Hahndorf build up.

In the second period of extra time, fatigue began to plague both sets of players and the match was stretched all over the ground. The Strikers tried to equalise but the Magpie defence held firm and the hosts resorted to speculative long shots. With five minutes left Hahndorf sealed the match through Stubing, the pacy forward collecting the ball and firing a searing drive into the top, right corner of goal where only the spiders live.

Hhandorf survived a couple of late flurries from the Strikers but the backline remained resolute to the end to complete a fine win. All players did extremely well given the unfamiliar mix, with notable contributions from Breaker, Thomas and Craig and fine offensive efforts by Graham, Stubing and Webber.

Next week it is back to league action when the Firsts, Reserves and Super Cs travel to Beverley to take on the Adelaide Redblue Eagles.