2012 Round 2: Adelaide Monarchs V Hahndorf Magpies

Adelaide Monarchs V Hahndorf Magpies

On a wet Saturday at Grange, Hahndorf and the Monarchs engaged in a see-sawing goal feast before a late strike by the home side gave them the points in a 5-4 thriller.

A constant drizzle made the wide, flat surface of the ground slick from the opening whistle and both teams took time to adjust to the slippery conditions. Hahndorf lined up with an attacking, fast-paced front line through Kayne Stubing and Matt Norris, supported by the midfield quartet of Scott Graham, Sam Wood, Luke Guest and Tom Holland.

Lloyd Oppelaar, Michael Lewington, Captain Jack Farrimond and Steve Ness patrolled the defensive lines in front of goalkeeper Kierran Guest. A couple early chances to Hahndorf got them off to a positive start, but unfortunately for the Magpies, they found themselves a goal down within ten minutes due to a speculative shot against the run of play.

Hahndorf set about restoring parity and a period of attacking pressure gained a corner. Holland played a sharp one-two with Norris before pinpointing a cross to Lewington on the far post. The big central defender made no mistake with his firm header, driving the ball into the net.

At 1-1,the match settled into a midfield battle with both Monarchs and Hahndorf creating a few chances but neither goalkeeper was unduly challenged, despite shots sliding through on goal. The Magpies slowly began the shade possession and a flowing move involving Lewington, LGuest and Holland found Norrris who had his shot blocked. The ball fell to Wood and he blasted a shot on target but a great save by the Monarch’s ‘keeper tipped it over the crossbar.

Just when it looked as if Hahndorf were in the ascendancy, the Monarchs retook the lead from a corner, a handling error in the slick conditions saw the ball squirm past the Hahndorf ‘keeper. The Magpies countered with neat set of passes down the spacious wing but the Monarchs had numbers in defence and Hahndorf could not get a clear shot on target.

Although Hahndorf seemed to be playing the better football, the Monarchs were looking to make every opportunity count. A quick break and through ball by the home side led them into the half time with their lead extended, their forward picking out a corner of the goal with only the exposed Magpie ‘keeper to beat.

Upon the restart, Hahndorf looked to bounce back into contention and an early chance showed the Magpies intent. The Monarchs too looked to add to their score but K. Guest was in good position to hold the efforts. Hahndorf persisted with their attacking frame of mind and were rewarded with a penalty. Norris stepped up to drive a firm shot that the Monarchs’ ‘keeper did well to reach but he could not keep the ball from bursting through his hands.

Hahndorf tried to maintain momentum, L.Guest finding space to centre for Graham but his shot was blocked and the follow up effort sail just over the Monarchs’ goal. The home side then tried their luck from distance, the effort catching Hahndorf out and the ball sailed over the Magpie ‘keeper and into the net to make the score 4-2 to the hosts.

The Magpies made a couple of substitutions, bringing on James Anderson and Kane Oppelaar to freshen up the midfield and get themselves back into the match. The action did not let up with both sides keen to add to the goal tally. Hahndorf made the score 4-3 with a well executed free kick, Holland driving a low shot past the defensive wall and under the diving ‘keeper.

The visitors picked up the pace and soon had levelled the match with a classy left footed drive from Anderson, the young recruit latching onto a throw-in and burying the ball from distance in the top corner. A revitalised Hahndorf team pushed hard for the winner in the remaining minutes, bringing Jesse Konstantinoff on to bolster the attacking stock.

K.Oppelaar almost made a memorable debut with a searing shot that forced the Monarchs’ ‘keeper to push the ball over the bar. The Magpies wasted the corner opportunity and the Monarchs went on the attack to also gain a corner. Hahndorf cleared the attack and pushed forward but could not get a good shot away on goal. With time running out, a sloppy back pass by the Magpies was intercepted by the Monarchs forward and he nipped past the goalkeeper to roll the ball into an empty net.

The end result was a bitter one for the visiting Magpies who had done enough for a least a draw, only to throw the points away in the final minutes. Best on the day was Tom Holland, who was outstanding all match closely followed by excellent games by Matt Norris and Sam Wood.

Reserves

After setting the match up in the first forty-five minutes, the Hahndorf Reserves endured a mid-match Monarchs revival before running out comfortable 2-5 winners.

The visiting Hahndorf team got off to a bright start under threatening skies, forwards Todd Newman and Jesse Konstantinoff sharp in the opening exchanges. Midfielders Jordan Webber, Lee Jennings and Kane Oppelaar were quick to exploit the tardy Monarch approach and the Magpies took the opening goal within five minutes of play.

Good work through the middle of the park set Konstantinoff in space on the edge of the penalty area and his pass found Webber clear on goal and the industrious Magpie made no mistake from close in. Five minutes later Hahndorf had doubled their lead, pouncing on some indifferent Monarchs play to deliver the ball to Newman and he scored with aplomb.

The Monarchs took stock of their poor start and fought to get back into the match, the Hahndorf defence of Scott Breaker, Tim Staniford, Andy Craig and Kyle Eglinton forced to counter some attacking moves and ‘keeper Vaughan Barratt made a few timely saves. Andy Jones patrolled the deep midfield and sought to cut out the origin of the Monarchs moves, leading to an engaging battle that lasted the entire match.

Oppelaar was in fine form down the flanks, exchanging play with Jennings and Webber to drive the Hahndorf attack. Newman and Konstantinoff were a constant threat and the Monarchs ‘keeper did well on several occasions to deny the pair. The spots of rain developed into a steady drizzle to dampen the spectators but not the drive of the Magpies and they added their third goal just before the break. Excellent work by Oppelaar culminated in a flighted ball to Newman and he comfortably put away the headed goal.

In the second stanza, the Magpies were keen to add to the score but despite some fine attacking moves, Hahndorf found the Monarchs defence in a more determined mood. Ash Parr made an entry into the game along with Ben “Beninho” Wells and the pair looked to make an impact immediately.

However it was the Monarchs who seized the initiative, capitalising on a couple of errors on the greasy surface and they scored two goals in ten minutes to get back into the match. Hahndorf answered with renewed vigour and a period of sustained pressure earned a penalty. However unusually, Konstantinoff hit the ball high and it cannoned off the crossbar and the rebound went wide. The Monarchs threw players into the forward line looking to overwhelm the Magpies but the visitors stood firm against the onslaught.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Hahndorf gained some breathing space when Breaker found space and showed his goal of last week was no fluke with a superb drive that fairly flew into the top corner of the net. The 2-4 score-line knocked the wind out of the sails of the Monarchs and Hahndorf regained control as the match started to wind down. With minutes left in the match, Parr added icing to the score with a searing drive from the edge of the box to give Hahndorf the 2-5 win.

It was a good, solid performance by all the Hahndorf players across the park, but Kane Oppelaar took the man of the match accolades with a stellar match. Notable also were Andy Jones and Andy Craig in cementing the Magpie defence.

Super Cs

The Super Cs started the days proceedings with their first win of the season, a resounding 4-1 win over the Monarchs’ Cs.
With the Monarchs not getting their full side out until twenty minutes into the match, it was somewhat of a surprise that they went into half time with a 1-0 lead. Multiple missed opportunities cost the Magpies but they remedied the situation with four unanswered goals. Ben Gordon-Edwards netted two goals with fine finishes, while Scott Schubert scored from the edge on the penalty area and young Lucas Podolski added a great fourth to put the result beyond doubt.

Next week the Hahndorf contingent travels to Findon to take on Adelaide Cougars in an important clash for all three teams.

Round 11: Hahndorf Magpies V Adelaide Monarchs

Hahndorf V Adelaide Monarchs

The Hahndorf Magpies returned to the top of the 3rd Division of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League with a hard fought 2-1 win over the Adelaide Monarchs.

The top of the table clash started well for the home team, the Hahndorf midfield of Dan Hermel, Jack Farrimond, Chris Sawers and Aaron Noble looking to get forwards Leo Santangelo and Tom Holland into goal scoring positions. Mark McGrath presided over defenders Jon Lynn, Scott Taylor, Matt Norris and Steve Noble as the Magpies took the early initiative with their probing play, a contrast to the Monarchs tentative approach.

Hahndorf’s bold advances were causing problems for the visitors and they found themselves a goal to the good within the first fifteen minutes. Sawers split open the Monarchs with a superb pass to Santangelo, the inch-perfect ball finding the forward between the two central defenders. Santangelo dummied left and then cut inside before unleashing a drive that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

The Monarchs responded well after the home team took the lead, the visitors forced to lift their game with the Magpies dominating the first twenty minutes. The midfield was a fitting battlefield for the two top placed teams in the league, both sides utilising a passing and possession game with the defences matching up well.

A period of Monarchs play was capped off with the equaliser, a good move on the flank resulted in a cross that was headed into the Hahndorf goal with ten minutes left in the half. Hahndorf wrested back possession and almost retook the lead when presented with a free kick 25 yards from goal. A. Noble struck the ball well and it dipped toward goal before the Monarch’s ‘keeper leapt across to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Resuming from the break, Holland nearly got the Magpies off to the perfect start when he intercepted a headed back-pass but the possession took him wide and the Monarchs were able to regroup before his pass could find a team mate. Sawers and A.Noble were a constant threat to the visitors and often sent Hahndorf into attack, while Hermel had a chance with a header but found the ‘keeper in good position.

In defence the Magpies looked comfortable, Taylor having a fine game with good support from Norris, S.Noble and Lynn. However, the Monarchs were having some quality possession in midfield but ultimately the Magpies were equal to the threat with the match played mainly in the seething cauldron of the midfield.

The battle became a little too heated for one Monarchs player and he was given an early bath after a crude challenge earned a second yellow card. It wasn’t long before Hahndorf took advantage of their numerical superiority, a quick break on the flank finding Hermel and he lifted the ball neatly over the advancing ‘keeper for the 2-1 lead.

Hahndorf continued to mount an attack but despite the best intentions of Santangelo they were unable to add to the score. The Monarchs adjusted to their loss and began to fight hard as both teams showed some fine passing moves. However, Hahndorf was creating the better chances with the Magpies defence forming a solid barrier to goal.

Hahndorf made a couple of substitutions, bringing on Luke Guest and Jordan Webber as the match entered the final fifteen minutes. The Monarchs remained defiant and nearly scored an equaliser, the ball bouncing around Hahndorf’s penalty area as players scrambled to get a telling touch before the danger was cleared. Minutes later McGrath made a fine save from a drilled long shot that almost caught the hosts out.

Hahndorf could have halted the Monarchs resurgence through Santangelo, the hard working forward latching onto A.Noble’s cross but his shot was saved by the ‘keeper. Santangelo had a further opportunity with the final attack of the match, a dazzling solo run resulting in a sharp effort that passed just wide of goal.

The win restored Hahndorf’s position at the top of the table, just reward for a solid team effort. Man of the Match went to the superb defending of Scott Taylor, with Leo Santangelo and Matt Norris also amongst the points.


Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves suffered their second loss of the season when profligate finishing cost them dearly as they went down 2-4 to Adelaide Monarchs.

The Magpies got off to a tardy start with the team taking a while to settle into the match. Nathaniel Brooke started in goal with Matt Medley, Luke Guest and Andy Craig taking the defensive duties and they were under pressure early with the Monarchs looking to get on the score board quickly.
Hahndorf ‘s midfield of Kyle Eglinton, Rupert Lindon, Mike Lewington, Max Gordon-Edwards and Alex Chapman began to make their passing count and drew forwards Jesse Konstantinoff and Jordan Webber into play.

Both teams created opportunities with Hahndorf perhaps having the better chances but neither were able to force a goal home. The play developed with Hahndorf starting to put a few attacks through Gordon-Edwards and Webber but they found the Monarchs ‘keeper in good form.

After twenty-five minutes the Monarchs took the lead through a converted penalty, the Monarchs’ forward bundled over in a robust challenge. The goal strengthened the Magpies resolve and they hit back within ten minutes after a corner by Chapman found its way to Gordon-Edwards. The young midfielder ran in an arc on the edge of the penalty area before finding a gap and firing in a brilliant finish to restore parity on the scoresheet.

The battle continued with Hahndorf playing better but unable to add to the score. Both teams’ ‘keepers were kept busy and in fine form, Brooke making several good saves at the feet of the opposition and his opposite number deflecting the Magpies efforts.
The Monarchs relied on getting a quick break and just before half time they unlocked the offside trap to race through on goal and tucked away the goal. It was a frustrating end of the half for the Magpies who should have made their better possession count.

In the second stanza Hahndorf changed their formation a little and maintained their attacking focus. Gordon-Edwards, Chapman, Webber and Eglinton made many forays into Monarchs territory but the Magpies wasted their chances in front of goal, several times the ball rolling across the face of goal, centimetres out but with no-one on hand to poke the ball home.
Hahndorf’s squandered chances were to hurt them when the Monarchs added a third goal, a quick break resulting in a good chip over the stranded Brooke. Hahndorf remained committed to their game plan and continued to create openings but failed to find the net. Their perseverance was eventually rewarded twenty minutes from time when persistence from Webber forced panic in the Monarchs defence and he pounced on the loose ball to fire it into the net.

At 3-2, the Magpies were right back in the match and piled on the pressure, Guest grazing the post with a well struck shot and Konstantinoff unable to keep his volley down from a good position. Hahndorf brought on Kieran Guest and Ben “Beninho” Wells to add impetus to their charge but repeatedly were denied by poor shooting or the good saves by the Monarchs ‘keeper.

The Magpies commitment forward took its toll minutes from time when a break by the Monarchs was illegally halted on the edge on the area. A well placed free kick gave the Monarchs their fourth and effectively killed off Hahndorf’s challenge.

Best on the day was Jordan Webber, who contested pugnaciously throughout the match, with good support from Max Gordon-Edwards and Luke Guest also getting the votes.

Super Cs
The Div 4 Cs scored a 2-0 win courtesy of a forfeit by Hazara. The Div 5 Cs battled hard against The Cove, before a single goal to the league leaders separated the teams at the end. It was a valiant effort by the young Magpies who had conceded six goals to the same team last week.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are visiting Flinders University along with the Div 4 Cs, while the Div 5 Cs are away to BOSA.