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 2: Hahndorf Magpies V One Tree Hill SC

Hahndorf produced a stirring second half performance to overcome a three-goal deficit and share the points in a pulsating encounter with Division 3 newcomers One Tree Hill SC.

With three enforced changes, the Hahndorf Magpies stretched their playing stocks and started the match with their youngest ever strike partnership. Sixteen year olds Mitchell Miller and Naite Hider led the attack after backing up from the Reserves match with good support from the midfield quartet of Jesse Konstantinoff, Ben Stewart, Steven Ness and “El Capitano” David Grant.

One Tree Hill made a brisk start on the fine autumnal afternoon, their young side keen to test out the Magpies defences. Brendan Kilpatrick, Matt Filmer, Stuart Thomas and “Swiss Maestro” Sam Putallaz were equal to the task in the early running however the visitors had a couple of chances, one blasted well over the crossbar and a second that drew a good stop from Hahndorf custodian Jarrod Kennedy.

The Magpies were tardy in matching their rivals, the hosts having some passes going astray and after ten minutes One Tree Hill gained a free just outside the penalty area. The free kick was well struck and took a slight deflection off the defensive wall to leave Kennedy stranded, the visitors taking the lead.

One Tree Hill did not ease up and soon after Kennedy made good ground to tip a dangerous shot over the bar. The Magpies slowly began to gain more possession, the new combinations finding some common purpose with Ness, Stewart and Grant looking to bring the young forward line into play.

Konstantinoff latched onto a good Putallaz through ball but despite some nimble footwork, he could not get his shot on target. The mercurial midfielder had another chance soon after but smashed his free kick high and wide of the target with the visitors following his errant example when their free also failed to trouble the ‘keeper.

A corner to Hahndorf did not bring reward and play was concentrated in the middle of the park until One Tree Hill caught the Magpies square and the forward raced through to double their lead. Hahndorf tried to hit back with a good run and cross by Nider to find his strike partner but Miller scuffed his shot at goal.

The defensive line of Hahndorf was coping admirably with their quicker opponents, Putallaz and Filmer in particular with some fine defending and timely tackles. Hahndorf were starting to put some good moves together as the half drew on. Miller was putting himself about in the forward line and drew a crude tackle, the One Tree Hill defender earning a yellow card.

A wide free kick put the hosts in a good position and the in swinging ball caused some concern in the visitor’s penalty area. However, One Tree Hill found an outlet and a quick transfer of play caught out the Magpies, their opponents making it 3-0 with a fine finish. The half concluded with the visitors well in control of the match as Hahndorf allowed them time and space to bring the ball into Magpie territory.

At half time, the Magpies called on Harvey Watson to replace the injured Naite, the substitute himself also having a full run in the Reserves. Hahndorf picked their game up and had a good period of play as they looked mount a recovery.

A good lead up left Grant with plenty of time and space and the wily Scot hit a fine pass to Watson on the edge of the penalty area. Watson shuffled past two defenders with the ball between his feet and unleashed a searing drive past the statuesque ‘keeper to get the Magpies on the board.

The goal lifted Hahndorf and they played with more confidence, Ness and Stewart anchoring the midfield while Filmer continued to command the defensive duties. A One Tree Hill corner gave the visitors a chance but Hahndorf dealt with the threat and the Magpies played their way out of defence.

In the middle of the park, Stewart collected a neat ball from Ness and he picked out Konstantinoff, sending the midfielder into the attacking zone.
A curling shot left the boot of Konstantinoff and the ball found the back of the net to put the Magpies well in the contest, the home supporters sensing a change in momentum.

One Tree Hill tried to respond and they went close to restoring their two goal lead but Kennedy was in outstanding form to deny the chance. The Magpies made the better use of the ball with the match increasing in intensity. One Tree Hill and Hahndorf exchanged chances, the visitors going closest when the ball struck the crossbar from an acute angle.

Kennedy made a further great save, getting the best of a one-on-one contest as the match entered the final fifteen minutes. The action went end to end as both teams looked to find the net. Hahndorf put a nice period of possession to place them in the attacking third.

Putallaz swooped onto the ball and cut inside his opponent and rifled a left-footed drive towards gaol. The ball took a slight deviation as it went past a defender, the ball dipping over the goalkeeper to find the net and draw the Magpies level. The final ten minutes produced some exciting play drawing chances at both ends with One Tree Hill having the slightly better opportunities.

Miller defied his fatigue to find some space but his shot just went over the bar while at the other end the visitors pushed a shot wide of the upright. Several times Filmer broke through the lines with surging runs, trying to put Hahndorf into a winning position. Both teams were desperately seeking the winning strike but in the end they had to be happy with a point each.

The result was a character building one for the Magpies, their playing stocks stretched and finding themselves three goals down at half time. They showed great spirit and determination to peg back the deficit with Man of the Match honours going to Jarrod Kennedy, the gloveman producing some outstanding saves during the match. Steve Ness, Ben Stewart and Matt Filmer also played tremendous games and Mitchell Miller also drew strong praise.


Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves suffered possibly their heaviest defeat in the clubs recent history when they were comprehensively out played, the final score well into double figures.

Fielding several junior players, the Magpie Reserves were never really in the match and things were made harder for them when they lost Luke Jones and Jackson McGuire to injury early on.

One Tree Hill move the ball with pace and precision and almost scored at will, Hahndorf ‘keeper Blake Horton the busiest player for the home team. Veterans Bob Edwards and Graham Philips found the pace of the faster visitors hard to contain as One Tree Hill went into half time a solid seven or eight goals to the good.

The break did nothing to quench the visitor’s thirst for goals and they added three more soon after the restart. Hahndorf attempted to mount some resistance with Scott Schubert working tirelessly in the midfield to try and get the Magpies some respectability. Youngsters Naite Nider and Mitchell Miller had a few chances to get Hahndorf on the board along with Harvey Watson but the opportunities were few and far between.

In the end, a fair score had mounted up against the Magpies and only those who had used both fingers and toes knew what the final tally was. In a forgettable match, best on the day for Hahndorf was Scott Schubert, who tarried in vain all match.

Next week the Hahndorf Magpies are again at the Pine Avenue Arena, hosting old rivals Adelaide Budapest, a side some have named title favourites.