2012 Round 10: Adelaide Titans V Hahndorf Magpies

An improving Hahndorf pushed the Adelaide Titans with the match in the balance for much of the day before a late strike for the hosts sealed a 3-1 result.

The second half of the season in the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 2nd Division began for Hahndorf down at the blustery and cold surroundings of Titans’ Henley Beach ground, the pitch in reasonably good condition despite a week of inclement weather.

The Magpies lined up with Andy Jones in goal and a defensive formation containing Scott Breaker, Luke Guest, Todd Newman and Lee Jennings. A stiff breeze blew diagonally across the ground, favouring the end Hahndorf were kicking towards and the visitors got off to a positive start with Steve Ness taking an opportunistic shot that flew well over the Titans crossbar. Fellow midfielders Aaron Noble, Scott Graham and Kane Oppelaar took the initiative against the opposition and forwards Matt Norris and Ash Parr made some early forays into the Titans defensive third.

The hosts had some early glimpses of goal but their attempts were a mixed bag and Jones was in good position to nullify any genuine threat to his goal. Hahndorf built their game through Noble, Jennings and Ness as the Magpies looked to get on the front foot. Several attacks showed promise but the finishing touch was lacking, Graham put through on goal but dragging his shot wide and Noble getting into a good position but shooting tamely.

A large portion of the opening half saw the Magpies applying pressure to the Titans with good possession and movement while the hosts played the counterattacking game, breaking quickly to take a few shots on the Hahndorf goal. The wind made life difficult for both teams and a mud patch had the potential for some sticky situations but the flanks remained fine and the combatants used these to good effect.

The second half opened with the Titans scoring within five minutes of the restart, the goal coming after a goalkick by the hosts and they took advantage of some downfield indecision to score. The Titans almost doubled their lead minutes later when a tardy goalkick by Jones was returned with interest but Jones atoned for his error with a fine save.

The Titans kept up the pressure on the Magpies with a series of corners but the Hahndorf defence held firm to repel the attacks. However, soon after Hahndorf left a player unmarked and he advanced on goal to fire a powerful shot past Jones to make it 2-0.

The wind shifted and increased in velocity, giving the Magpies some difficulty in finding their first half rhythm. However, having weathered the Titans early barrage, Hahndorf began to get back into the match. A substitution brought on Steve Noble as the Magpies sort to consolidate the middle of the park.

Some decent build up play involving Guest and Norris put A Noble through on goal and the creative Magpie guided his shot past the advancing Titans’ custodian, but the ball struck the upright and rebounded into the goalkeepers’ hands. Hahndorf maintained its attacking style and Graham exploited the wing to whip in a cross. Oppelaar contested but could not get his head on the ball and it fell to Ness, who was under pressure and his shot was deflected for a corner.

The Titans hit back and Jones made a great one on one save to prevent further addition to the score. With the match entering the final twenty minutes, the Magpies were pushing the Titans with some fine play in the attacking third of the pitch. Jennings made a marauding run deep into the Titans penalty area and pulled the ball back to Oppelaar, the midfielder looping a cross to just outside the six yard box. Norris challenged well in the highly contested region and managed to head a looping shot that landed beyond the Titans and into the net.

At 2-1, Hahndorf quickly set about getting an equaliser as time began to run out but the Titans’ defence held the Magpies at bay. A late free kick settled the match in the hosts favour, Hahndorf unable to clear the inswinging delivery and it resulted in a third goal for the Titans.

Despite the loss, the match showed Hahndorf are taking steps in the right direction with an improvement across the park. Best on the day was Steve Ness, delivering a terrific game in the heart if midfield with Guest and A Noble also putting in a fine display.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves continue to struggle for consistency, being competitive for most of their clash against the Titans but letting the hosts score some easy goals in a 5-0 loss.

The Hahndorf Reserves shuffled the pack in an attempt to regain their early season form, fielding a quick but youthful defence of Jordan Webber, Kierran Guest, Tim Staniford and Tim Prince in front of regular custodian Vaughan Barratt.

The defence was tested early in the piece, the Titans pressing the Magpie defences in the opening exchanges but Hahndorf absorbed the pressure well. Working into the match, James Anderson, Ben “Beninho” Wells, Angus Hambrook and Jesse Konstantinoff began to use the less congested spaces out wide and a several good passes released Magpies behind the Titans’ backline.

Konstantinoff had an opportunity to open the scoring but fired his shot over the bar as the Magpies looked to bring the experienced forward line of David Grant and Chris Hyde into play. The Titans gave hints of their attacking threat with several good near-post corners and it was from a similar position that the Titans found the opening goal, a fine pass finding an unmarked player on the six yard box and he easily tapped in.

The Titans doubled their lead minutes later when a defensive header picked out a Titans player with precision and he slammed the ball into Hahndorf’s net. The Magpies rallied and after a good build up, Hyde was put through on goal but the ‘keeper made a great save to deny the senior marksman. With halftime beckoning the Titans found a third score, Barratt rushing out to block a shot but the rebound went directly to a Titans player who, with Barratt stranded, calmly chipped into an empty net.

The second half was a closer affair but again the Magpies failed to capitalise on their chances. Grant had a good opportunity blocked and Konstantinoff followed up with a strike that missed the target. The hosts countered with a miss of their own and Hyde also had a chance but his header found the goalkeeper.

A free kick to the Titans gave them their fourth goal, a ricochet off a Hahndorf defender adding salt to the wound. The Magpies continued to battle hard for the ball but conceded a late goal when they were slow to react to a loose ball in the penalty area and it was smashed into the goal.

Super Cs
The Hahndorf Super Cs maintained their good run with a great match against the league leaders, the pulsating game eventually ending in a 3-3 draw.

Scott Schubert got the Magpies off to a tremendous start with a chipped goal before the Titans replied twice to lead 2-1 at the half time break. Legendary Hahndorf striker Tony Carter showed age has not diminished his prowess in front of goal with a fine strike to make it 2-2.

Scott Bonnar then put the Magpies in front with another well-taken goal but Hahndorf could not hold onto the lead and the Titans levelled in the last five minutes to give the teams a share of the points.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies return home to the Pine Avenue Arena where they will be hosting long time rivals, the Adelaide Monarchs.