2012 Round 3: Croydon Cougars V Hahndorf Magpies

Croydon Cougars V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf squandered an opportunity for a good result against the Croydon Cougars, losing concentration in the final ten minutes to concede late goals in a high scoring 6-3 encounter.

The 3rd round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd division clash between the Cougars and the Magpies took place at Findon on a rough, uneven pitch in contrast to the splendid autumn weather. The visitors went into the game with a similar formation to the previous week, with Kierran Guest in goal behind a defensive line containing Steve Ness, Jack Farrimond, Todd Newman and Lloyd Oppelaar.

Tim Prince and Michael Lewington anchored the central midfield while Kane Oppelaar and Sam Wood patrolled the flanks with Hahndorf’s attack led by Matt Norris and Tom Holland. The Magpies started on the front foot but suffered an early setback when Newman sustained an injury, forcing the defence to be reshuffled and bringing on James Anderson as a replacement.

The Cougars pressed forward with intent and drew Guest into a couple of crucial saves, one a tip over the bar from a close range header and then doing brilliantly in a one-on-one situation. Holland answered back for the visitors, latching onto a through ball but, after beating the ‘keeper to the ball, he lobbed his shot wide of goal. The match settled and Hahndorf held some quality possession with L Oppelaar, Holland, Prince and Anderson stringing a fine series of passes together.

It was then a surprise when, somewhat against the run of play, the Cougars scored, an innocuous shot eluding Guest and squeezing under him for the opening goal. With the lead, the Cougars took to the match with more purpose and forced Hahndorf onto the back foot with a period of offensive pressure.

Norris rallied forward for the Magpies and a fine charging run earned Hahndorf a corner. Holland drilled the set piece into the heart of the Cougar’s goalmouth and amid the panicked defenders, Norris poked the ball into the net to restore parity. Hahndorf almost took the lead soon after when the vagaries of the pitch caused a Cougars defender to stumble and fall over the ball and Norris swept in to pass to K Oppelaar. The sharp midfielder unleashed a powerful, swerving drive that had the Cougars’ ‘keeper at full stretch to tip the ball centimetres past the goalpost.

After the half time break, the hosts got off to the best possible start, finding a sharp through ball that the Cougars’ forward pounced on and tucked past the Hahndorf ‘keeper. At 2-1 up the Cougars searched for more goals and sensing some confusion in the Hahndorf camp they added a third from a headed corner.

Believing they had a match winning lead the hosts relaxed a little and allowed the Magpies to claw their way into the match. Prince, Wood and Holland were beginning to control possession and after a steady period of pressure Norris made it 3-2 with a fine strike after a subtle lay off by Lewington.

Hahndorf increased their work rate and set about finding the equaliser, the Magpies finding larger spaces in the midfield. Holland made a dashing run down the flank before a clever backheel set Ness up and he delivered a pinpoint cross to Norris. The big forward made no mistake to plant his powerful header past a despairing ‘keeper for his and Hahndorf’s third goal.

With ten minutes to play, the match kicked up a gear as the Magpies tried to maintain their momentum and grab the lead. A foray forward almost brought reward but L Oppelaar blasted his shot over the crossbar. The Cougars responded and took advantage of some lax marking to put away a goal to make it 4-3. Buoyed by the restoration of their lead, the home side put the Hahndorf defence under intense scrutiny and within minutes had scrambled home a fifth goal.

Further misery befell the Magpies when an errant clearance went to a Cougar forward and he slotted another goal just minutes from the final whistle. The Magpies will feel frustrated that again they let valuable points escape their grasp after working hard to get the match back onto an even keel and no doubt the coaching staff will be addressing their defence woes before next week. Best for Hahndorf on the day was Matt Norris, his outstanding performance including all three goals for the Magpies. Tom Holland and Sam Wood also put in fine efforts with solid games from Prince and Anderson.


Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves fought out a highly contested draw with the Cougars, neither side able to break through the opposition defence over the course of the match.

In the opening exchanges, the Magpies took a while to get used to the bounce and run of the ground, allowing the Cougars to put pressure on defenders Tim Staniford, Ash Parr, Andy Craig and Scott Breaker. The defence held firm and Magpies ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt had few genuine shots to contend with. The Hahndorf midfield began to make their presence felt with James Anderson, Andy Jones, Angus “House” Hambrook and Jordan Webber working their way into the match.

The Cougars however continued to pressure Hahndorf and the home side almost scored but Barratt tipped a searing shot over the bar to deny the goal. Hahndorf was doing well in repelling the forward drive of the hosts with Breaker in outstanding form and ably supported by his defensive compatriots

Hahndorf created a few scoring chances through Chris Hyde and Jesse Konstantinoff but Hahndorf failed to really test the Cougars custodian in the opening half. The Magpies best opportunity arrived after Konstantinoff earned a free just outside the penalty area. Craig almost caught the Cougars napping with a quick shot but a lone defender had drifted back head the ball away to safety.

In the second half, Hahndorf increased their presence in the midfield and the match was largely played between the two penalty areas, with neither team able to get a clear shot on goal. Hahndorf coach, Mark McGrath began a series of substitutions over the final thirty minutes, bringing on Kyle Eglinton, Ben “Beninho” Wells and Gary Ledson to sustain the intensity, as players started to tire.

A free to Hahndorf provided a good chance to score and Hyde struck a fine curling shot but the Cougars’ ‘keeper made an equally fine save to deny a score. The play went end to end with both teams trying to get the vital goal that would probably settle the match. The Cougars got a great chance with a free right on the edge of the penalty spot but the Magpies wall did its job and the effort cannoned off the wall and away from goal.

A final flurry by the Cougars drew out a tremendous save by Barratt, beating away a well hit shot from an angle and the Magpies cleared the resultant corner to safety before the referee called the match to an end. It was a solid performance from the Magpie Reserves and keeps them in good shape on the league ladder. Best on the day was James Anderson, with great support from Scott Breaker and Vaughan Barratt.

Super Cs

The Super Cs kicked off the day at Findon with a disappointing 2-0 loss, a goal in each half giving the Cougars the win. Hahndorf struggled to find their rhythm on the uneven surface and poor control led to both sides giving up cheap possession throughout the match. Hahndorf had a great chance to equalise just after half time but blasted the shot over the bar from close in.

Next week Hahndorf returns home to the Pine Avenue Arena where all three teams will be taking on the Modbury Jets.