2013 Cup Round 1: MA Hawks V Hahndorf Magpies

The Hahndorf Magpies travelled a short but encouraging distance on the Road to Hindmarsh in 2013, ultimately bowing out 2-1 to 1st Division team MA Hawks in the 1st round of the Challenge Cup.

The Kings Reserve ground has been the venue of many previous clashes between the Magpies and the Hawks, with some emphatic victories recorded by the hosts, including a couple of Cup games. Nevertheless, Hahndorf went into the Cup tie against the favoured Hawks determined to give a good account of themselves.

The early going saw the Hawks get straight into their short passing, possession style of game but the Magpies were quick to harass the hosts and defenders Brendan Kilpatrick, Stuart Thomas, Matt Filmer and the “Swiss Maestro” Sam Putallaz repelled the initial attacks.
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Sol Scopazzi, Ben Stewart, “El Capitano” Davd Grant and the ever-reliable Steve Ness patrolled the Hahndorf midfield and they worked hard to dispossess their opponents. The Magpies pounced on a loose Hawks pass and released striker Nathan Roennfeldt who raced down the flank, his pacy run earning the visitors a corner.

Quickly taking the kick, Roennfeldt found Putallaz just outside the penalty area and the Swiss Maestro transferred the ball onto his favoured left foot. The goal beckoned and Putallaz unleashed a tremendous strike that took the barest of touches off a Hawks defender before thundering into the net.

The goal shocked the Hawks and they tried to respond immediately but the Magpies did not give them any space to test out custodian Jarrod Kennedy. Hahndorf pressed forward and almost extended their lead when an attacking throw found Scopazzi and he rounded his marker to shoot from an acute angle, the ball sliding across the face of goal and striking the far upright.

The Hawks answered with a good opportunity but Kennedy made a great one-on-one save. He repeated his exploits soon after, earning a bloodied nose with a terrific stop from close range as the hosts intensified their attack. Grant and Kilpatrick combined to repel a promising move by the Hawks and the Magpie defence gained some respite with Grant moving the ball forward through Ness.

The industrious midfielder exchanged passes with Scopazzi before finding Stewart on the edge of the box and he stuck a solid shot that the Hawks’ ‘keeper saved. A further attacking move saw Roennfeldt and Stewart set up Ness but he blazed his shot over the crossbar. The Magpies paid for their profligate finishing when the Hawks found an equaliser, a fine cross reaching an isolated Hawk at the far post and he drove his header back across goal and into the net.

With parity restored, the two teams exchanged chances as play went end to end. The Hahndorf defence continued to play well and made some timely interceptions to deny the hosts the scoring opportunities their possession warranted. The Magpies too had a few late chances as the teams went into half time on level terms.

Hahndorf went onto the front foot in the opening minutes of the second half with Scopazzi rounding off a good move but his docile strike at goal was easily saved. The Hawks wrested back the initiative and enjoyed an extended period of good possession, their persistence rewarded with a long-range goal. Struck from well out on the flank, the lofted shot, which may have been a miss-hit cross, deceived Kennedy to just squeeze under the Magpie crossbar.

Hahndorf answered the goal with a series of attacks but they could not fashion any clear-cut opportunities despite applying pressure in the attacking third of the pitch. Scopazzi maintained his first half form and won many of his midfield battles while Stewart was uncanny in his ability to find an outlet in tight circumstances.

The Magpies wasted a free kick against the Hawks defensive wall and the match became an arm wrestle with a few willing tackles beginning to emerge from both teams. Stewart was a favoured target, his sleight of foot deceiving several Hawks players and the home side accumulated a flush of yellow cards during the match.

With twenty-five minutes remaining, Hahndorf brought on Mitchell Miller to add some pep up front, the youngster keen to add senior goals to his under16 tally. A chance fell to the Magpies but Scopazzi blasted his shot well over the target and soon after Filmer was excellent in defusing a threatening Hawk attack.

A quick free by Putallaz found the substitute out wide and Miller tried his luck from an acute angle but his speculative lob passed over the crossbar. Stewart continued to draw fouls with his dextrous footwork and as the twilight of the match approached, Putallaz fired a free kick high of the target.

Scopazzi and Miller played some neat passes to set up Roennfeldt but the Ruud van Nistelrooy doppelganger found the side netting with his rasping shot. The Magpies continued to search for an equaliser but the ball refused to fall their way in the contested Hawks’ penalty area.

Another fine move involving Miller, Scopazzi and Roennfedlt gave Stewart a chance but the shot lacked the power to find its way past the Hawk’s goalkeeper. With the final minutes looming, the hosts had the chance to put the result beyond doubt but Kennedy produced an incredible double save from close range to deny the Hawks’ forward.

Despite the narrow loss, the Magpies showed tremendous spirit and drive to push their opponents the entire match, the performance auguring well for their form in upcoming league fixtures. Best on the day for Hahndorf was a close run contest with many Hahndorf players raising their game, however taking the honours was Sol Scopazzi for his tenacity and determination. Others with outstanding contributions included Ben Stewart, Sam Putallaz, Jarrod Kennedy and Matt Filmer.


Reserves
On Sunday, the Hahndorf Reserves travelled to the Northern suburbs to take on Macedonia United, the Sunday side currently top of Division 3 and they took advantage of their superior numbers to record an 8-1 win

It was an inauspicious start for the Magpies as they began the match with only nine players present. Macedonia made the most of their two-man advantage to put three goals past the visitors before Hahndorf gained a further player after thirty minutes of play.

Goalkeeper Blake Horton had plenty of work to do for the Magpies along with the rest of the Hahndorf defence, Bob Edwards and Tim Staniford leading by example. Later, another Magpie entered the match but Hahndorf only managed to play with a full complement of players for a further twenty minutes before Luke Jones was forced from the pitch with an injury.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, the visitors put in a creditable performance with young Hamish Vickers showing outstanding class throughout the match and it was he who scored Hahndorf’s goal, making it 4-1 at the time.

The weight of numbers, combined with the large expanses of Macedonia’s pitch, proved too much of a hurdle for the Magpies to overcome and they bowed out of the Cup with the loss. However Coach Bob McIntyre was happy with the effort of the players given the circumstances and singled out Vickers for his Man on the Match performance with Edwards and Staniford also earning plaudits.

Next week sees the return of league action with the Hahndorf Magpies travelling to Birdwood to take on Hills rivals, Torrens Valley.

Round 18: Hahndorf V MA Hawks

Hahndorf V MA Hawks

The final round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League was played out in warm and windy conditions at Pine Avenue between Hahndorf and the MA Hawks, the latter prevailing 1-2 in an entertaining and competitive match.

With Hahndorf clear of relegation woes and the visiting Hawks guaranteed of promotion, the final match could have turned into a rather dull “dead rubber”, but instead both sides went looking for the win from the opening whistle. Hahndorf promoted Reserves ‘keeper Andy Jones to a First team debut, with an experienced defensive formation of Steve Noble, Dan Hermel, Michael Lewington and Andy Craig in front of him.

The MA Hawks and the Magpies made their attacking intentions clear with some lively opening exchanges as the opposing teams sized each other up. Matt Norris and Kayne Stubing ranged along the frontline to keep their opponents on notice and the midfield battle was engaged with relish by Setve Ness and Jack Farrimond. With Tom Holland willing to switch play with some raking cross field passes to Chris Sawers, the Magpies looked to get behind the Hawks’ backline and Sawers obliged, drilling a low cross that begged for a final touch but neither forward could lay a boot on ball.

Stubing tried his luck from distance but the shot failed to beat the ‘keeper as Hahndorf tried to get an early goal. The Hawks countered with some neat attacking moves to keep Hahndorf’s defenders alert and they had a good chance to score but the shot found the side netting. Jones made a few good stops to get his eye in and the defence worked hard to blunt the Hawks’ attack.

Hahndorf went close when Holland found Stubing at the front post and he slid the ball across but again Hahndorf had no-one there for the final touch. Ness tried his luck with a determined run from halfway line but his shot was comfortably saved. The referee then took issue with a linesman and wanted him replaced, threatening to abandon the match before a willing spectator took over the flag waving duties.

The Hawks put Hahndorf under pressure and Craig stepped in to block a couple of Hawks shots, one returned with interest but Jones knocked it out for a corner. The visitors were unable to get much out of their corner kicks with Lewington, Hermel and Craig consistently getting to the aerial balls in the penalty area. However, they were caught out at the back post on one occasion but Jones was in good position to collect the goal-bound header.

With the half in its closing stages, Hahndorf were more than holding their own and the tight contest was producing some fine pieces of play from both teams.

The second half got off to a rude start for the Magpies who were tardy with the kickoff and the Hawks flew in to take advantage of a sloppy back pass, the visitors smacking a shot off the post to jolt the home side out of their lethargy. Sawers replied with a sharp run down the wing before he was unceremoniously brought to ground but calls for a free fell on deaf ears.

Overhead, the gathering of dark clouds looked ominous with a few spots of rain about but it was Hahndorf who were soon to be under a deluge of Hawks possession after Norris picked up his second yellow card for a rash challenge and was sent from the pitch for an early shower. The Magpies retained their defensive shape but they came under increasing pressure as the Hawks used their numerical advantage to keep the Hahndorf midfield working overtime. Several chances loomed for the visitors but Hahndorf remained resolute in defence, Lewington brilliantly cutting out one of the more promising moves by the Hawks.

Sawers remained Hahndorf’s best route to goal and several good runs down the wing almost provided the opening goal. However, it was the Hawks who were to prise open the defence, a neat build up left the Magpies short at the back and a precision finish by the unmarked Hawk gave them the lead. Minutes later they doubled their advantage with a goal by the visiting forward, a solo run across the park finished with a clinical strike into the top corner that gave Jones no chance.

Hahndorf answered with some steady build up play and a shot at goal earned them a corner. Holland picked out Sawers with the set piece but the well hit volley scraped over the bar. Hahndorf’s day looked to worsen when a Hawks player was brought down in the box but Jones enhanced his reputation as a penalty stopper with brilliant parry, his fifth save from six penalty attempts to keep the Magpies in the match.

Jordan Webber was brought on in the final ten minutes as Hahndorf gained belief from Jones’ heroics and the home team began to take the fight back to the visiting Hawks. Webber was fouled as the Magpies pushed forward and Stubing lined up the free kick from just outside the penalty area. Hahndorf moved all their big men forward for the free and Stubing drilled a low shot that Lewington expertly turned past the Hawks’ ‘keeper.

The 1-2 score further enlivened the final minutes as Hahndorf pressed for an equaliser with Holland, Stubing and Sawers all a threat. However, despite the late pressure, Hahndorf were unable to find a second goal before the entertaining match ended. The ten men of Hahndorf put up a gallant display but were unable to overcome a confident MA Hawks who have been consistent all season and fully deserve to go up to the Premier league next year.

Man of the Match for Hahndorf went to Tom Holland, who had an inspired game, with Steve Ness and Chris Sawers also in fine form. The match brings the season to an end for the Magpies and coach Steve Handley will be happy that the Club has retained a place in the 2nd Division, the first time Hahndorf has consolidated promotion to a higher league, and will look to build upon the experience gained this year to put out a competitive Hahndorf unit next season.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves were humbled by a rampant Hawks outfit, the two teams reliving Manchester United’s thrashing of Arsenal with an identical score line of 2-8.

Hahndorf entered the match with plenty of promise and in the early running looked to confirm that when Jordan Webber scored minutes into the match, the rambunctious forward beating a couple of defenders before finding the net with a fine strike.

However, the Hawks soon hit back through a header and the match took on a strange complexion whereby both teams created chances but only the visitors took full toll in the very open play of the first twenty-five minutes.
Kieran Guest partnered Webber up in the forward line and along with Rupert Lindon, created some good opportunities, Lindon forcing a fine save from the Hawks’ ‘keeper.

In a new look defence, Scott Breaker, Gary Ledson, Ash Parr and “El Presidente” Stuart Thomas strove to match the Hawks movement but some mix ups between them and Magpie custodian Nathaniel Brooke gifted two quick goals to the visitors. Kyle Eglinton, Tom Stevens and Angus “House” Hambrook fought to wrestle control back for the Magpies and some great passing went unrewarded with a shot cannoning off the goalpost.

With both teams in an attacking frame of mind, the open play punished mistakes and Hahndorf went further behind when Brooke misjudged a ball and was beaten to the bounce, the forward rolling the goal past the stranded ‘keeper. Webber, however, was in good form and made a tremendous strike on goal after a fine piece of control but the ‘keeper was equal to the task and parried the ball away. Another loose period of play saw the Magpies concede a fifth before half time and added to their frustration.

A stern word or three from coach Phil Stevens at the break brought Hahndorf into some semblance of shape during the second half, but again some silly errors and miscommunication was punished by the Hawks as they piled on a further three goals. Guest brought a moment of sunshine to the beleaguered Hahndorf team with an excellent strike to bring up the Magpies’ second goal but it did not lead to the revival sought by the hosts. Pockets of Hahndorf play showed that they were a genuine threat to the Hawks with some strong possession in the midfield and good chances in the attacking third of the pitch, but defensive errors cost the home team dearly.

Best on the day was Stevens, with Lindon, Webber and Eglinton competitive all match. The result was a disappointing end to the season for the Hahndorf Reserves who had been very competitive for most of the year.

Super Cs

The Super Cs went down to the top of the table McLaren District, 4-0, with Rob Green putting his hand up for Own Goal of the Year when he picked out the top corner of his own net with a class strike.

Round 12: Hahndorf V MA Hawks

Hahndorf V MA Hawks

Title contenders MA Hawks outplayed an injury-hit Hahndorf Magpie unit on Saturday, running out 3-0 winners in the 12th round of the South Australian Amateur League 3rd Division.

The Hahndorf Magpies lined up with man-mountain, Nathaniel Brooke between the sticks and before him were the defensive talents of Matt Medley, and the Trio of Bald Brothers Matt Norris, Todd Newman and wily fox Wayne Forrester.

The midfield engine room consisted of John Lawler, Steve Noble, Jon Lynn and Ash Oosh and Hahndorf also started new recruit Kayne Stubing up front with big man Tyrone Blunt.

However it was the MA Hawks who had their forwards in the spotlight within a minute of kickoff. A quick move down the flank and an angled ball over the defence exposed Magpie ‘keeper Brooke and the Hawks went 1-0 up while most of the spectators were still getting their cups of tea from the canteen.

The early goal set out the Hawks’ intentions and they exerted their control from the start while Lynn, Noble and Oosh worked overtime to bring Hahndorf back into reckoning. Norris and Forrester marshalled the defence with MA pressuring the Magpies at every opportunity and Brooke called upon fairly often to keep out the visitors shots.

The pressure eventually took its toll, a ball was worked to the top of the penalty area to a Hawks forward. He turned and arrowed a shot into the top corner, giving Brooke no chance and the MA Hawks took a 2-0 lead.

Hahndorf recovered a little but lacked a striking punch where it counted, their efforts on goal sporadic and well covered by the MA defence. At the other end the Hawks could have extended their lead but for an acrobatic save by Brooke, fully extended to tip a goal-bound shot over the crossbar.

Hahndorf were dealt a blow just before half time when captain Norris landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge and Mike Lewington replaced him.

After half time things did not get much better for the Magpies despite the efforts of Oosh and Noble, the pair outstanding in their endeavour but finding few co-contributors. A third goal to the visitors effectively killed off the match but to Hahndorf’s credit they battled to the end and created the better chances in the final twenty minutes.

Brendan Kilpatrick replaced Medley and with Lewington, added some verve up front. Newman had his header from a corner go over the bar as did Oosh with a curling free kick from outside the area.

Brooke made a great one on one save to deny the Hawks their fourth, before Hahndorf made a late charge to get on the scoreboard. A free kick was wasted wide of the goal and Lynn could not find the target after Kilpatrick flicked on the ball to give Lynn a clear run into goal.

Young Stubing almost made it a notable debut but a spectacular save by the MA ‘keeper denied him and Hahndorf of a certain goal. Oosh followed up soon after from the corner but his rasping shot flew just past the post with minutes left in the game. Best on the day were Oosh and Noble, the two putting in a great effort all day with Brooke also putting in a fine performance

It was a disappointing result for the Magpies and they failed to hold possession when it counted but hopefully it was an aberration after a number of weeks of solid performances.

Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves played out a frustrating 1-1 draw after dominating the majority of the play but failing to convert their chances.

Promising ‘keeper James Nicholson anchored the defence forged from veterans Stuart Thomas and Andy Craig combining with Sam Gowan and the Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palombo. The defensive unit had little to do early on with the Magpies putting MA Hawks under pressure from the start.

Ben Wells got the ball rolling with a shot in the first twenty seconds and forwards Chris Hyde and Mike Lewington kept up the pressure with a few more chances early on. Kyle Eglinton, Gary Ledson and the Black Pearl, Owen Boyce controlled the midfield as Hahndorf tried to make their dominance count. Craig had two good chances but put his headers wide of the target and Hyde hit the bar with a sharp effort.

After some neat interplay, Wells nearly broke the deadlock with a stunning strike that cannoned of the crossbar and followed up soon after with good effort that slid wide. Hahndorf peppered the Hawks goal and it looked like it was only a matter of time before the Magpies scored. However, minutes from half time, a dubious free kick let the Hawks in for their first clear chance and they took full advantage to take the lead with a precise header.

Resuming from half time, the Magpies exchanged Wells for Rupert Lindon due to a recurring injury. The Magpies continued to create chances but again could not find the back of the net despite their territorial advantage. Ledson was in dominant form, controlling the midfield and often the origin of Hahndorf’s attacking play. Lewington made his presence felt in the forward line and was rewarded for his endeavour with the equalising goal. Collecting a poorly distributed goal kick, Lewington quickly brought the ball under control and fired it past the scrambling Hawks ‘keeper into the corner of the net.


Hahndorf went searching for the next score and sustained the pressure on the visitors. Eglinton made way for the Albino Yeti, Lachlan McQueen and combined with Boyce and Craig to create a chance. Ledson exchanged passes with Hyde and Lewington before lashing a shot that skimmed the crossbar. Kieran Evans made an appearance as the Magpies continued to hold possession but could not get the decisive strike.

Further frustration plagued Hahndorf when Hyde was severely impeded by the MA custodian but did not get the clear penalty decision, the ‘keeper octopus-like in preventing the Hahndorf forward reaching a loose ball. In the end, time ran out for the Magpies and they were left to rue their missed opportunities after a dominant display.

Best on the day was Lewington putting in a valuable goal during his impressive game, along with Ledson commanding the middle and Wells looking sharp on the flank.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies travel to the Southern Vales, hoping not to be distracted by the regions fine wineries when they take on McLaren District.

SAASL Div 3, Round three: MA Hawks V Hahndorf

MA Hawks V Hahndorf

Hahndorf travelled down to MA Hawks for the third round of the SAASL 3rd Division looking to test themselves against a team many see as title contenders. Past encounters have brought close matches between the two clubs and the trend continued, a very late goal giving the hosts the three points.

From the kick off, both teams moved the ball well as they looked for an early break. The MA Hawks found little joy from the Hahndorf defence, Steve Noble and Todd Newman were well marshalled by Matt Norris and Wayne Forrester, the bald brothers of the backline on top of the attacks.

Shaun Smith and David Grant combined up front and Smith had a good opportunity to put the Magpies in front but went wide with his shot. The midfield held most of the interest with both teams pushing through the middle. Lee Stibbs and Scotty Farrant were lively down the flanks while Jack Farrimond and Jon Lynn were winning the hard balls. Hahndorf ‘keeper Mark McGrath had few shots to save and the only serious threat was when he tipped a Hawks’ free kick over the bar.

After the first half hour, the momentum of the game began to favour the visitors, as Hahndorf pressed up the ground to keep MA Hawks on the back foot. Stibbs put in an attacking throw for Farrimond, the pugnacious midfielder smashing a shot just wide of the mark. The Magpies kept up the tempo but could not break the shackles by half time.

Following some encouraging words from Coach Steve Handley, Hahndorf returned to battle in the second half, with Smith and Grant keeping the Hawks’ defence on notice. Farrimond cleaned up some loose play by both teams in the midfield and unleashed a ferocious drive from just on the centre circle. The direction and velocity of the shot took the MA Hawks’ ‘keeper by surprise and he awkwardly parried the ball before scrambling to pick it up.

Farrant was also putting himself about, his combative style drawing a few rash challenges from the Hawks players. As the game progressed Hahndorf continued to construct some intelligent play, Norris exchanging passes before setting Grant up and he struck a sharp effort from twenty-five yards that just passed over the crossbar.

With twenty-five minutes remaining Kyle Eglinton was brought on for Stibbs as the game drifted from end to end with neither team able to carve out a clear shot on goal. A few stray passes let MA Hawks in with a chance but McGrath was alert to the danger. Another substitution brought Sam Heyward into the game for Farrant as the home team enjoyed a period of pressure over the Magpies and gained a few favourable decisions.

Smith, who had run hard all day, put in a great ball for Heyward and he charged toward the Hawks goal with a defender hot on his heels. However his shot found the side netting as Hahndorf began the last ten minutes with the Hawks under pressure.

An injury to Farrimond brought on John Lawler as the Magpies continued to push for a winning goal as the minutes ticked down. However it was the MA Hawks who scored, an 88th minute stab at the near post that giving them the lead. In the last action of the match, Hahndorf tried to hit back through Lawler after Eglinton found him on the left, but his shot failed to trouble the home ‘keeper.

Best on the day was Farrimond, who put in an outstanding effort during the match, with Lynn and Forrester also prominent during the game.

The loss was a bitter one for the Magpies as they had matched the Hawks throughout the game and will feel this was a result that got away. Next week they face old rivals Adelaide Budapest in the Amateur League Challenge Cup.

Reserves
The Magpie Reserves had a tight tussle with MA Hawks but failed to capitalise on their chances before a late fight back by the home team resulted in a 2-1 defeat.

Hahndorf went into the game with confidence and the early play saw both teams battling hard in the midfield. Across the middle of the park, Tyrone Blunt, Gary Ledson and Brendan Kilpatrick fought for possession to release wide men Andrew Kenny and Owen”the Black Pearl” Boyce. The Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palombo was in the thick of the action from the start putting some timely tackles with support from Andy Craig, youngster Sam Gowen and Nathaniel Brooke in goal.

Hahndorf had a couple of half chances through Chris Hyde and John Lawler as the two front men established their attacking intentions. After twenty minutes, Hahndorf broke the deadlock through a corner in which the MA Hawks’ ‘keeper failed to properly clear. It fell to Kilpatrick who stabbed home from eight metres to give Hahndorf the lead and brought some cheer to the travelling faithful.

The Magpies had further opportunities to add to the score, the best falling to Hyde, getting on the end on a convoluted corner and bringing the ball down and past his marker with a sublime piece of control. Side footing the ball past the exposed ‘keeper, the shot ended up passing barely over the bar to the visitor’s disappointment.

Hahndorf played out the half well, with the home side chancing their luck from distance but failing to find the target. When they did get close, Brooke showed commitment in claiming the ball in his area.

In the second stanza, Hahndorf looked to extend their lead, with some good play from Ledson, Blunt and Kenny driving the midfield. Hyde began to get more of the ball and found support through Lawler, Kilpatrick and Boyce.

However, the Hawks refused to give up and were rewarded with a strange equaliser from a corner, the ball managing to contrive its way past Brooke from close range. The goal gave the home side a boost and they pushed forward with intent.

Hahndorf made some substitutions, with Ben Wells, Lachlan McQueen and Jim Hill coming on. All three were into the action, putting together some good play and keeping the Hawks on their toes.

With time running out, a badly missed tackle by Craig allowed the Hawks forward a bullocking run down the flank and he found a team-mate with his cross. The shot was true despite Brookes’ valiant attempt and the Magpies found themselves trailing 2-1 with full time looming.

Hahndorf rallied to find an equaliser and had several chances through corners but time was to be their ultimate enemy with both teams putting in a strong effort to the end. Best on the day was Ledson with strong support from Kenny and Blunt.
The Hahndorf Reserves will rue their missed opportunities but can be encouraged by some periods of passing interplay and the way they battled till the final whistle. Next week the Reserves play Elizabeth Vale away in the Reserve Cup and will look to put in a good showing against the Sunday Premier Division side.

Hahndorf V MA Hawks

Hahndorf and the MA Hawks put on a fierce contest for the tenth round of the SAASL Division 2, a single goal to the visitors giving them the points despite the Magpies having the better chances.

The Magpies got off to a poor start with goalkeeper Danny Pace and the defence of crafty Wayne Forrester, veteran Andy Craig and towering Tyrone Blunt put under early pressure. The Hawks midfield moved the ball through the midfield well and their movement troubled Craig Cottle, Ash Parr and Todd Newman with wide players Brad Francis and Paul Charles also starting on the back foot.

After seven minutes, the Hawks sprayed a diagonal ball wide as the defence pushed out, leaving them exposed in the middle and a simple cross picked out an unmarked striker who gave Pace no chance from close in.

The goal awoke the lethargic Magpies and they started to build their game, with the Argentinian Wiz, Martin Moran dropping deep to help out the midfield and John Lawler making some runs up front.

Charles collected a wide ball from a Cottle - Moran combination and took it to the goal-line before whipping it into the middle with his left foot. Lawler ran to the cross but could not get a firm head on the ball and it glanced past the post with the goal beckoning.

Lawler soon had another excellent opportunity, running on to a through ball and bearing down on goal before he fired the shot just over the bar. The Magpies kept up the pressure with several corners but their best effort fell to Craig who volleyed from just inside the box and his shot was stopped on the line.

At the other end, the Hawks attack also had a few chances but good defence by Hahndorf denied them shots on target and ‘keeper Pace was relatively untroubled. Cottle put in two sharp free kicks but the Hawks ‘keeper was able to neutralise the threat of the inswinging ball as half time drew close.

In the second half, Hahndorf continued to push for an equaliser and, urged on by the local support, began to take control of the match. Moran was dominating possession and Cottle, getting back into form, found his passing range with Newman and Parr working hard in the midfield cauldron.

The MA Hawks found themselves launching long balls forward in a bid to break down the Hahndorf defence, but Pace and Forrester cleaned up most of the Hawks’ loose deliveries with Blunt injecting some assured passing. The run of flankers Francis and Charles remained a threat to the Hawks, until Francis ran out of legs and was replaced by Stephen Ness.

Ness got immediately into the match with some good defensive work and the fresh player helped open up the midfield. Mercurial Chilean, Roly Tobar entered the fray, his unpredictable style a handful for the Hawks midfield.

Minutes later, an injury to Newman forced Hahndorf into their last substitution, with Lachlan McQueen injected up front.

In the remaining twenty minutes, Hahndorf desperately sought the equaliser, the players lifting as the Hawks hung on to their slim lead. Charles and Lawler made blazing runs down the wing before putting in promising crosses. McQueen charged forward, intent on the ball and just missed one cross before going wide with his header with a second.

The minutes slid by as the Magpies renewed their attack, Moran working his way into the box before he was seemingly cut down, the calls for a penalty falling on deaf ears as the referee waved play on. With the Hahndorf side still pushing for goal they were denied by time as the final whistle was blown.

It was a tough result for the Magpies who created the better chances but paid dearly for their tardy start and profligacy in front of goal. However, it was a good performance by the team and the Magpies will be encouraged in the way their new formation is working with every player putting in a fine effort.

Reserves

The Hahndorf Reserves put together some impressive football but ultimately could not get the goals it deserved in a 4-1 defeat to the MA Hawks resreves.

After a sketchy opening ten minutes, the Hahndorf Reserves took control of the midfield and created many good exchanges of play. Goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke presided over a young but improving defence of Ben Wells, skipper Rupert Lindon, Sam Gowan and Matt Medley, celebrating his 18^th birthday.

Jack Farrimond made a return from injury in midfield along with Angus Coulls, Kyle Eglinton and Luke Jones. The midfield combined well to support frontrunners Jack Goodfellow and Vin Chow however it was in the last third of the pitch that the Magpies had the most trouble.

They built up play well but could not get a telling shot in the back of the net, the best chance falling to Coulls. In central defence, Medley and Lindon ensured the Hawks worked hard for every glimpse at goal, the captain leading from the front and putting in a stellar game.

Both teams entered the second half looking for the leading goal, but it was Hahndorf who dominated the first fifteen minutes, some crisp passing between Wells, Eglinton, Jones and Chow working the ball down the flank. However, the shots at goal did not eventuate and it was Gowan who pushed forward with some enterprising play resulting in two long range shots that had the Hawks’ ‘keeper scrambling to keep the ball out.

Despite their possession, the Magpies went down by two quick goals taken against the run of play, the first catching Brooke out of position and the second the result of the striker taking his chance well. The Magpies continued to battle and brought on the Italian Maestro, Edmondo Palumbo, Lachlan McQueen and Andrew Kenny to bolster their chances.

The move nearly paid off but again Hahndorf was found lacking in front of goal despite a good build up. The Hawks countered with another two goals before the Magpie Reserves were awarded a penalty. Jones lashed the ball into the net for a consolation goal but the Magpie Reserves will feel that they should have added more as they moved the ball well for large periods of the game. All players put in a great effort with Lindon outstanding on the day.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are on the road visiting Flinders University, where they hope to hand out a footballing lesson, while the Super Cs are also away at FC Adelaide.