2013 Round 13:Hahndorf Magpies V Torrens Valley Rams

The local Hills derby was a torrid affair with Torrens Valley grabbing a two goal lead before a persistent Hahndorf finished strongly to share the points in the 2-2 draw.

The 13th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division was played in fine conditions at Pine Avenue, the pitch holding up well after the recent inclement weather. Hahndorf began with the same settled line up from the previous week and the opening exchanges were played at a furious pace.

Torrens Valley and Hahndorf both tried to impose their own styles on the game with the midfield a heated cauldron of tough, physical battles. Sol Scopazzi, Hamish Vickers, Ben Stewart and David Grant moved the ball well to send the play forward to Nat Stewart and Nathan Roennfeldt.

The tall Torrens Valley defenders coped well with the Magpie strikers as the home team struggled to get a clear sight of goal. A good move by Roennfeldt almost set up Vickers but the Valley goalkeeper made a smart interception, a portent of things to come.

Stuart Thomas, Matt Filmer, Stephen Ness and Sam “the Swiss Maestro” Putallaz were equal to the robust approach of the Torrens Valley forwards, giving goalkeeper Jarrod Kennedy solid cover. As the match began to settle Hahndorf started to take control of possession and force their opponents onto the back foot.

Grant latched onto a great cross by Roennfeldt and lashed a shot goalward, forcing the ‘keeper into a fine fingertip save. Minutes later, Thomas delivered a free to Scopazzi and he gave Grant another opportunity, the Scotsman with swift footwork to elude an opponent before stabbing a sharp effort just wide of goal.

Torrens Valley returned the favour with a good period of pressure but they could not get a decent sight on Kennedy’s goal. Play went end to end with Magpies seeking to get on the scoreboard when Putallaz fired just over the crossbar. Valley’s reply was interrupted with a blocking tackle from Ness, the Hahndorf stalwart predictably reliable in his play.

Filmer made an adventurous run from deep, combining with Roennfeldt and Grant to penetrate the Torrens Valley penalty area but again the Magpies could not breach the defence. Roennfeldt was rampaging in the forward line and his constant harassment gave the Valley defence little rest. A foul on him presented Putallaz with a chance but the Valley ‘keeper made a good low save.

The Valley ‘keeper proved to be the busiest player on the park and frustrated Hahndorf with some tremendous saves, one frantic period denying Vickers twice from close range after fending off another Grant effort.

It was then a shock for the hosts when Torrens Valley opened the scoring, a long ball sending their forward cutting inside to strike a neat shot inside the far post. The Magpies tried the respond but could not find their way past the Valley defence and they went to the break a goal down despite dominating possession.

Hahndorf set to redress the balance in the second half and worked their way into the attacking third of the pitch. Again the Torrens Valley defence perturbed them, the visitors getting numbers behind the ball and Hahndorf also let themselves down with their final pass.

The Magpies continued to press and then were caught on the counter attack. Torrens Valley made a quick break and their tall, quick forward cut into the penalty area to smash a fierce shot into the roof of the net from a sharp angle.

Hahndorf tried to respond but almost went three goals down when a good move by Torrens Valley gifted an attacker a great opportunity however he shanked his shot high over the bar when it looked far easier to score. Torrens Valley continued to frustrate the Magpies, their work rate and forceful approach unsettling the home players.

However, their physical application eventually led to their undoing, a lunging and needless tackle on Roennfeldt giving away a penalty. Scopazzi despatched the gift with a tremendous strike that tested the workmanship of the net and the goal lifted the hosts. Hahndorf brought on JK Thomas and he immediately linked with Scopazzi and B Stewart but a good save denied the Magpies.

The match was in the balance and Hahndorf made two more changes, bringing on Peter Atkinson and Mitchell Miller. Kennedy made two terrific saves to keep the Magpies in the match that then took a turn for the worse for Torrens Valley. A crude and overly vigorous challenge led to second yellow card and send off, putting the visitors largely on the defensive for the remainder of the match.

Hahndorf surged forward in the remaining twenty minutes to lay siege to the Valley goal. However, the visitor’s integrity proved remained difficult to break down and their goalkeeper was having a sterling match. Roennfeldt, Thomas, Atkinson and Miller were all having an impact up front but Hahndorf could not seem to unlock the path to goal with Valley putting everyone behind the ball to defend their lead.

Eventually an opening was prised open by the Magpies. The ball was crossed into the penalty area and a Thomas shot was forced through many defending legs before Miller swooped to stab home the equaliser. The sixteen year olds first senior goal brought much relief and great delight to the Magpie army and Hahndorf sought to grab the lead in the final minutes.

Scopazzi and Atkinson combined to send a cross that eluded all after a fine build up and then Roennfeldt almost scored with the final attack of the match, but his lofted drive was plucked out of the air by the Valley ‘keeper.

The derby ended in a 2-2 draw with both teams feeling they could have won the pulsating encounter. A number of players could have taken the Man of the Match honours for Hahndorf but due to his relentless running and attack on the ball Nathan Roennfeldt was the deserving recipient. Others in the frame included Sol Scopazzi, David Grant and Hamish Vickers.

Reserves
A complete team performance saw the Hahndorf Reserves produced some delightful football in a comprehensive 6-1 drubbing of Torrens Valley Reserves.

From the outset, the Hahndorf Reserves took control of their match, moving the ball with surety and precision. Harvey Watson had an early attempt on goal and Naite Hider picked out the Torrens Valley ‘keeper with a sharp effort. The youngster did not have to wait long however to open the Magpies account.

Johannes Edler and Luke Jones played a short corner and targeted Chris Hyde, his header going wide until lightening reactions from Hider saw him slide the ball in at the far post.

Hahndorf almost made it two with Hyde hitting the crossbar with another header and Bob Edwards rolled a shot just wide of goal. Building from the back, Brendan Kilpatrick, Graham Phillips, Michael Driver and Jones were in fine form as the passing interplay amongst the players was some of the most eye catching in recent years.

Hider was rampant on the wing with his pace and movement providing a potent attacking weapon. Watson missed wide and Edwards went close before a searching run by Hider into the penalty area found Hyde and the unmarked marksman made no mistake for a 2-0 lead.

Torrens Valley tried to put Blake Horton’s goal under pressure but Jones and Phillips made some great tackles and the visitors shooting was astray when it counted.

The second half saw the Reserves pick up where they left off and within ten minutes it was 3-0, Hyde completing a brace when he headed Edler’s excellent corner to the vacant back post. Jason McKenzie entered the match as the Magpies looked to assert their dominance.

However, Torrens Valley hit back when a clearing header was missed and the visiting forward pounced to drill the shot in. Hahndorf replied with repeated attacks but found their shooting off target until a fine solo run by Schubert. Intelligent running by the forwards had Valley in two minds and Schubert went on a driving run from the middle of the park before unleashing a cracking shot past the isolated goalkeeper.

Hahndorf continued to attack and a number of opportunities went unfulfilled with the Magpies well on top. James Stratfold was brought on and moments later scored after Watson and Edwards combined to baffle the Valley defence, their slick play finding the fresh substitute for an easy tap in.

Hahndorf made it 6-1 when Edwards broke free to cleverly chip the goalkeeper and round out a comprehensive team performance. From the many excellent contributors on the day, Scott Schubert took the best on ground award with Naite Hider and Michael Driver also in contention.

With the club undergoing a comprehensive rebuild, the Hahndorf coaching staff has been extremely pleased with the development of the younger players this season. Teen agers Hamish Vickers, Naite Hider and the Miller brothers have all shown outstanding skill and potential that augurs well for the future of the club.

The Hahndorf Magpies now have a week off before returning to league action when they will host Adelaide University at the Pine Avenue Arena on the 10th of August.

2013 Round 12: Adelaide Budapest V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf produced their best performance of the season on the plains of Kilkenny with an emphatic 6-1 demolition of Adelaide Budapest.

The drenching rains of the preceding week gave cause to think the Budapest ground may resemble a swamp. However, despite some patches of grass deep enough to hide a small child, the pitch was remarkably firm and dry for the 12th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division fixture.

In the opening exchanges Hahndorf gained some good possession with Sol Scopazzi, Ben Stewart, David Grant and Hamish Vickers providing solid support to forwards Nathan Roennfeldt and Nat Stewart. The Magpies should have been awarded a penalty for handball but the referee missed the offence and the ball fell to N Stewart but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Budapest replied with a shot from distance but it went well over Jarrod Kennedy’s crossbar. Hahndorf explored another route to goal with a fine Scopazzi free finding Vickers, his header drawing a good save from the home ‘keeper. However continued pressure by Hahndorf resulted in the opening goal. A corner drew a crowd in the six-yard box but the ball eluded all apart from B Stewart who bundled the ball over the line at the back post to the delight of the travelling faithful.

The visitors looked to double the score through a series of corners but they could not repeat their previous success. Budapest began put some pressure on the Magpie defensive line, with Stuart “El Presidente” Thomas, Matt Filmer, Stephen Ness and the Swiss Maestro, Sam Putallaz reasonably comfortable hitherto. A quick break by the home side almost caught Hahndorf out but Filmer made a terrific saving tackle to deny Budapest.

The play shifted in favour of Budapest but the Magpies were solid in defence and the hosts could not find an effective shot on target while Kennedy was sure in his goalkeeping. In the final five minutes of the half the Magpies wrested back the initiative and capitalised on a corner. A weighted header from B Stewart at the back post was directed to Grant at the front. The Scotsman leapt high to tuck the ball inside the post with a well-timed header to give Hahndorf a well deserved 2-0 lead at the break.

The second half started at an even tempo and the home side took advantage of the diagonal wind but found their shooting astray. A free kick was blasted high and wide while their best opportunity arrived via a headed corner that passed over the crossbar. Kennedy came to the Magpies rescue with some solid saves when the shots were on target, the Hahndorf custodian in sparkling form. A period of Budapest pressure ebbed away after a good build up was wasted when a ball passed the face of goal with none of the home strikers within reach.

In contrast, the Magpies were surgical in their attack, Scopazzi slicing open Budapest with a perfectly weighted pass to Vickers. Drawing the Budapest goalkeeper out, Vickers unselfishly squared the ball to B Stewart who had the simplest of tasks to roll the ball into the empty net.

The third Hahndorf goal seemed to knock the confidence of Budapest and frustration began to creep into their game. Vickers was exploiting the wing and soon produced a good cross that just eluded N Stewart. Roennfeldt followed up and shot truly but a desperate lunge diverted the strike.

B Stewart and Scopazzi were true to the surrounds, their relentless industry throughout the day driving the Magpies from the heart of midfield. The pair were involved in the fourth Hahndorf goal, Scopazzi feeding B Stewart out wide before the hirsute midfielder pulled his cross back to Grant at the top of the penalty area. Two Budapest defenders rushed at Grant but after some fancy footwork akin to a highland fling, he found the space to compose a delightful curling chip into the top right corner of the net, a superb Captain’s goal making it 4-0

Vickers almost made it five when Roennfeldt’s cross reached him and he drove a fierce strike against the crossbar. Budapest responded with a couple of efforts on goal but Kennedy was never threatened. With the Magpies in control, two successive substitutions brought on youngsters Mitch Miller and Naite Hider.

Another corner to the Magpies made it 5-0, Putallaz precisely picking out Scopazzi on the edge of the six-yard box and the tall midfielder headed truly past the diving goalkeeper. Hahndorf were in rampant form and the home side struggled with many of their passes going astray.

Thomas underlined his good game with a slide rule pass to release Hider beyond the defence. The sixteen year old showed tremendous composure to clip the ball past the advancing ‘keeper and find the net, the youngster wheeling away in delighted celebration.

A late flurry by Budapest eventually saw them pull back a consolation goal. A free kick was pushed sideways for a good strike at goal and the ball was sliced off a defender’s leg and into the net.

The win was a tremendous effort by the Magpies, all players putting in a comprehensive performance against a quality rival. There were many deserving of the Man of the Match honours, however Ben Stewart stood out with a consummate game in the engine room of midfield and a brace of goals. Other outstanding efforts came from David Grant, Sol Scopazzi and Nathan Roennfeldt.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves fought hard to remedy a two goal first half deficit, striving to the end to eventually share the points in a 2-2 draw.

Despite kicking into a robust, diagonal wind, Hahndorf took the match up to Budapest and largely dominated the opening fifteen minutes. Chris Hyde led the attack with support from JK Thomas, Harvey Watson and Aaron Fiora, the players pushing to find a goal but not creating many shots on target.

Luke Jones took an optimistic shot from distance that went over the crossbar and Thomas had two efforts narrowly miss the target. Scott Schubert organised the midfield and initiated many driving moves as the Magpies tried to convert their possession into goals.

However it was Budapest who opened the scoring, their forward going on a solo run that resulted in a goal that left Hahndorf rueing their missed chances. The defence of James Staniford, Graham Philips, Tim Staniford and Michael Driver had been steady but paid dearly for a lapse in concentration.

Hahndorf tried to hit back with Jones forcing the ‘keeper into tipping a fierce drive over the bar. Watson produced a battling run to give Jones another chance but a defender deflected the goal-bound shot. With half time looming, the Magpies fell two goals behind after the hosts made the most of an attack to score a second goal that had more than a hint of offside during the build up.

Hahndorf entered the second half knowing they should have not been trailing and set about restoring scoreboard balance. Nevertheless Budapest had other ideas and Blake Horton made a sharp save at the near post to kick off the action in the second stanza.

The Magpies showed their intent when Watson and Thomas combined to set up Hyde with a chance but the marksman put his header over the crossbar. Thomas then had an effort pass just wide of goal while Watson displayed some nimble footwork to elude three defenders before the goalkeeper smothered his shot.

Hahndorf tightened up in defence and Horton again made a good save to keep the Magpies in the match. It proved to be an important play as minutes later Schubert collected a pass from Thomas as Hahndorf made a flowing move down the flank. Schubert centred the ball and, in Tommy Oar style, the ball eluded the goalkeeper to nestle just inside the far post.

Buoyed by the goal, Hahndorf pressed for the equaliser and put the Budapest ‘keeper under scrutiny with a testing free kick and then Schubert blasted a shot over the bar. Mitch Miller entered the match for the Magpies and the youngster was straight into the action with an effort going wide of goal. With time running short, Schubert and Driver exchanged passes on the wing before setting Hyde up with a chance but the ball went narrowly wide.

A rare free to Hahndorf gave them hope and Stratfold quickly found Watson on the edge of the penalty area. Dancing past three Budapest players, Watson turned onto his favoured left foot and curled an exquisite shot into the top left corner of goal, bringing sheer delight to the entire team.

Play had barely restarted before the match was brought to an end, Hahndorf well deserving of a point in the 2-2 draw. Best on the day for Hahndorf was late goal hero Harvey Watson, the attacking player busy all game and never giving up. Schubert, Thomas and Driver also produced fine performances in the match where the entire team did well to raise their game in the second half.

Next week Hahndorf host Torrens Valley in the return bout of the hills derby, the Magpies looking to carry their winning momentum into the clash and secure maximum points.

2013 Round 11: One Tree Hill V Hahndorf Magpies

Hahndorf failed to contain a rampant One Tree Hill during the 11th round of the South Australian Amateur League 3rd Division, the hosts capitalising on Hahndorf’s lapses to record a 6-2 win.

The Magpies travelled to the most northern ground in the 3rd Division, the picturesque One Tree Hill containing a small, village-like pitch and, surprisingly, more than one tree. The gathering dark clouds forewarned the visitors of impending trouble however Hahndorf and One Tree Hill both sought to master the tight pitch before inclement conditions could overshadow events.

Jarrod Kennedy was the busier custodian in the early exchanges and the home side put Stuart Thomas, Stephen Ness, Matt Filmer and Sam Putallaz under close scrutiny as they sought the opening score. One Tree Hill did not have to wait long, slyly taking advantage of a disputed throw-in and a distracted referee to catch the Magpies napping, strolling into the penalty area and slotting home the goal.

The lead encouraged One Tree Hill and midfielders Peter Atkinson, Sol Scopazzi, Ben Stewart and Hamish Vickers had to fight hard to try to curb the supply to the host’s forwards. Several forays threatened the Magpie goal and Thomas showed all his experience and guile to diffuse a dangerous situation with a tremendous tackle.

However, a corner to One Tree Hill exposed Hahndorf, the ball passing through the penalty area before it was returned to the six-yard box for a tap in goal. The hosts almost made it three nil when a forward went past Kennedy but the Magpie goalkeeper had pushed him wide and he slammed the ball into the upright from an acute angle.

Another home attack drew a tremendous save from Kennedy but One Tree Hill was not to be denied and they lined up a fortuitous free kick outside the penalty area. Again Kennedy made an heroic stop but, unable to hold the shot, he received no support from his team-mates and One Tree Hill pounced on the loose ball to slot it home.

Persistent rain then descended from the heavens to further dampen the Magpies’ spirit. Chris Hyde and young Mitchell Miller tried to get Hahndorf on the board but chances were rare. Ness had two good chances deflected, striding forward to strike a couple of fierce drives. Nevertheless, it was One Tree Hill who had all the answers and they made it four goals in the half when a cross from the short wing picked out a solo striker and he had time to finish his cup of tea before heading across an isolated Kennedy.

Hahndorf made a much better game of it in the second half and within a few minutes a fine run down the wing by Vickers resulted in a well cut back cross. Hyde displayed his experience and quality with a excellent first time finish into the corner of the net to make the score 4-1.

Scopazzi and Stewart continued to fight hard in the middle of the park with the former in a particularly combative mood. Ness was warming to his task and made several good runs before a cynical tackle brought him down. Scopazzi stood over the free kick and took the opportunity to take aim at goal as One Tree Hill had decided the distance was too great to warrant a defensive wall.

Scopazzi almost made them pay with a terrific strike, the ball rocketing for the top corner of goal to force the home custodian into a fine save, just tipping it over the bar. Hahndorf kept the pressure on and gained several corners; one that resulted in Thomas powering a header into the net but a Magpie infraction in the goalmouth negated the score.

The play went end to end with neither side able to create many clear chances. However Vickers managed to test the keeper with a quick shot after Scopazzi had carried the ball through several bruising encounters. In defence, Kennedy made a sharp save on the edge of the penalty area to keep Hahndorf in the match.

However, he was left stranded when a free to One Tree Hill was innocuously drifted into the six-yard box and a slight deflection saw the ball elude everyone to sneak just inside the far post. Hahndorf hit back almost immediately when they earned a penalty and Scopazzi made no mistake with a powerful strike that threatened the integrity of the net.

Minutes later the hosts had restored their four goal buffer when they sprung the offside trap and caught out Kennedy with a quick shot from the edge of the penalty area. With the match entering the final stages, Tim Staniford made an appearance to bolster the tiring Hahndorf defence.

Both teams had chances to add to the score with a Vickers shot going narrowly wide while Kennedy was superb to deny One Tree Hill a one-on-one opportunity. Scopazzi rounded out a commanding performance with an intricate run ending with a sharp effort on the turn that found the goalkeeper.

The loss brought to an end a short burst of positive results for Hahndorf but they will be encouraged by the return of a few players before the next league match. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Scopazzi who was tremendously combative all day, with Jarrod Kennedy, Ben Stewart and Stuart Thomas also having fine contributions.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves battled valiantly against superior numbers in their match against One Tree Hill, beaten 11-4 in a high scoring encounter.

The Magpies struggled to find players this week and took to the small One Tree Hill pitch with only nine wearing the Hahndorf stripes. Initial fears were confirmed when the home side scored immediately after kick-off, the two strikers slicing through the Magpies to tuck the ball past Blake Horton in goal.

The play was firmly entrenched in the Hahndorf half as Bob Edwards, Tim Staniford, Graham Phillips and James Stratfold were extremely busy in keeping out the marauding One Tree Hill players. Goals came at regular intervals but many attacks came to naught with Horton making some fine saves and Edwards commanding a tight line to catch the eager hosts offside.

Johannes Edler, Brendan Kilpatrick, Michael Driver and Harvey Watson tried to stem the midfield tide and Edler had Hahndorf’s first shot at goal, a volley that passed wide of the target. After twenty-five minutes the Magpies were six goals down. However they pulled one back when Hahndorf held the ball in One Tree Hill’s penalty area and Driver pounced to drill home a shot and open the Magpies’ account.

Soon after, the signs were looking better for the visitors when they gained a tenth player and they then forced the hosts into conceding an own goal; the defender wrong footing his goalkeeper and the ball rolling into the net.

The Magpies weathered further attacks from the hosts before a third goal to Hahndorf made the match interesting for players and spectators alike, Watson’s pressure causing another back pass to miss the ‘keeper but find the net. Remarkably the score stood at 6-3 at the break.

Hahndorf grew in confidence in the second half and Watson combined with Edler to set up Driver who struck his shot wide from a promising position. Soon after, Watson, who was tireless in his work rate, was fouled in the 18-yard box and he skilfully drilled in the penalty to make it 6-4.

The run of goals to Hahndorf unsettled a few of the One Tree Hill players, however they continued to put Hahndorf under pressure in defence and Horton made several good stops to keep them at bay.

With twenty minutes remaining, the Magpies were beginning to tire and One Tree Hill eventually broke through. They quickly added three more goals before Watson, Edler and Kilpatrick all had good efforts go close. The hosts added one more goal before the final whistle, the surviving Magpies thankful the rain had stayed away for the match.

Despite the 11-4 result, the Hahndorf Reserves were gallant in defeat with all players giving everything despite the dire circumstances. Best on the day for Hahndorf was Harvey Watson whose dogged determination in attacking midfield was a shining light beneath an overcast sky. Hahndorf now have a week off before they are on the road again, travelling to the plains of Kilkenny where they will meet long time rivals, Adelaide Budapest.

2013 Round 10: Hahndorf Magpies V USC Lion

In the tenth round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division, a Nat Stewart brace ensured Hahndorf recorded their second successive win in a tough encounter with USC Lion.

Buoyed by their success the previous week, the Magpies entered the match against USC Lion with confidence despite requiring some enforced changes in personnel. Jarrod Kennedy started between the sticks with the evergreen Stuart Thomas, Steve Ness, Matt Filmer and the Swiss Maestro, Sam Putallaz comprising the defending line.

The match began at a furious pace with both Lion and Hahndorf battling for midfield supremacy, Hamish Vickers, Ben Stewart, Sol Scopazzzi and JK Thomas engaged in a physical tussle over possession. Lion gained an initial hold in Magpie territory but could not fashion any meaningful openings. Filmer and Ness were in a miserly mood and gave the Lion forwards little latitude in their quest for goals.

Nathan Roennfeldt and Nat Stewart spearheaded the Magpie attack, the former rampaging around the front line and giving the visitors little rest in defence. The pair had a few opportunities to open the scoring but the Lion goalkeeper was not overly stretched and a few Hahndorf shots went wide of goal.

The middle of the park contained the majority of the action, centring on Scopazzi and B Stewart, the pair involved in some engrossing battles and often the pair found a way out of tight situations with clever skills and passing. The Magpies built their game through the middle with occasional forays down the wings through JK Thomas and Vickers.

It was from a wide position that Hahndorf opened the scoring. Putallaz seized the opportunity of a free kick wide of the penalty area to drive a fierce ball into the six-yard box. The ball swung viciously toward goal and N Stewart popped up to flick his header into the net and give the Magpies the lead.

The visitors tried to hit back but their efforts proved to be fruitless in the face of some determined defending by Hahndorf. Lion took every opportunity to direct the ball to their centre forward but Filmer and Ness were alert to the threat and few shots made their way to Kennedy’s safe hands.

In the second half, Hahndorf were intent on keeping a clean sheet and confident they could outlast the opposition. They made a substitution at the break, bringing on youngster Mitchell Miller. The early minutes were again frantic as the two combatants attempted to assert their authority.

Filmer and Ness remained defiant in the defence of the Magpies lead and combined well with Puallaz, who had some superbly timed sliding tackles, and S Thomas, the veteran exemplary in the aerial duels. B Stewart continued to win the disputed balls in the middle of the park with willing support from Scopazzi, the tall midfielder holding his own against the physical approach of Lion.

Up front, Hahndorf continued to create chances and Scopazzi, Roennfeldt and N Stewart all had opportunities to extend the lead. The Magpies were putting together some fine play, moving the ball from defence to attack through some quick and dextrous passing, their confidence growing as the match progressed. Lion looked to threaten the Magpie goal but their best efforts arrived via corners and Kennedy was ruling his area with aplomb.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Hahndorf sought to push the match beyond Lion with a slick move that emanated from Scopazzi, the playmaker winning a contested midfield ball and striding clear to bisect the Lion defence with a precise pass. Miller read the play brilliantly and with a deft touch belying his tender years, sent N Stewart clear through on goal leaving the Lion defenders stranded. N Stewart raced toward goal and drove a firm shot past the advancing goalkeeper before wheeling away in joyous celebration after giving Hahndorf a deserved 2 goal lead.

In the final minutes the hosts could not afford to relax as Lion grew more desperate in their attempts to score and they had one good chance that Kennedy smothered on the edge of the penalty area, the Magpie ‘keeper swift to address the imminent danger. A second chance fell to the visitors, but upon breaking clear, the shot was hoisted well wide and high of goal.

Miller almost opened his senior account with the last attack of the match, the busy forward latching onto a quick throw and shooting at goal, but unfortunately the ball struck the near upright with the Lion custodian beaten.

The win puts Hahndorf in a positive mood as they begin the second half of the season and their team play and spirit has been progressing well throughout the year. The consecutive victories show their hard work is paying off in this year of rebuilding. There were many terrific performances across the park against Lion with outstanding games from Matt Filmer, Sol Scopazzi, Steve Ness, Sam Putallaz and Nat Stewart. However, it was Ben Stewart who took the Man of the Match honours with a tremendous display in the middle of the park, his ball-winning ability and distribution a major asset in Hahndorf’s play.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves showed great determination to secure victory with a come from behind 2-1 win over Lion in a tumultuous match.

The Magpies stayed with their new formation that almost brought them the points last week, however absence and injuries ensured a changed player list. Lion pressed Hahndorf from the start and during the first fifteen minutes the home team were largely on the back foot.

Captain Tim Staniford led the defence by example with great support from James Stratfold, Bob Edwards and Brendan Kilpatrick. The quartet effectively kept the Lion chances to a minimum and goalkeeper Blake Horton continued his good run of form with some sharp saves from the shots that got through.

Luke Jones and Scott Schubert were typically busy and matched up well against their opponents while Michael Driver and Naite Hider provided the Magpies with width. Harvey Watson worked hard in the highly contested middle along with Chris Hyde who provided a focal point up front.

The match developed into an arm wrestle with neither side able to carve open many clear opportunities. A few decisions unsettled players of both sides and the referee had no hesitation in punishing needless chat. Lion had a good chance to open the scoring late in the half but drove their free kick straight at Horton.

The second half got underway and the play went end to end with neither team able to generate many shots on goal with the respective defences holding all the cards. However, a moment of space gave Lion the opening they were seeking after fifteen minutes. Breaking free of a midfield tackle, the Lion playmaker hit blistering shot from distance that gave Horton no chance as it sailed into the top corner of goal.

The Magpies tried to respond but despite some terrific build up play, the goal remained elusive, Hyde, Watson and Driver getting the best opportunities. The hosts persisted however and a free to Hahndorf led to the equaliser. Watson sent in a fine cross from out wide and Hyde rose like a phoenix to power a bullet-like header past the ‘keeper and restore parity.

The score led to some unsavoury words to the ref and a resultant red card left Lion a man down. Tensions increased as the match entered the final twenty minutes. Both teams had the chance to take the lead, Lion almost scoring with a searing effort that just passed over the Hahndorf crossbar.

The Magpies continued to attack and a wide cross fell to youngster Hider who burst into the penalty area. The sixteen year old remained composed and buried a fine, low strike under the Lion goalkeeper to the delight of the Hahndorf team. The Magpies suffered some near scares in the final minutes but a resolute defence held out the visitors until the end of the game.

It was a terrific result for the Reserves who had given away leads in recent matches and it now puts them on the front foot for the remainder of the season. There were some fine performances across the pitch, but Harvey Watson took the Man of the Match honours with a great battling display all match. Others in contention included Scott Schubert, Tim Staniford, James Stratfold and Luke Jones.

Next week the Magpies look to continue their good form with an arduous trip away where they will take on One Tree Hill.