Monday April 28 2008

2008 Challenge Cup - Hahndorf vs McLaren District      

After the withdrawal of original opponents the Northern Wolves, Hahndorf were rescheduled to play McLaren District. In a fair test of character, Hahndorf eventually prevailed, running out 3-0 winners on wet afternoon at the Pine Avenue arena on Saturday.  

Hahndorf and the District both started confidently, each having early forays into the other’s penalty area but failing to get any significant shots on target. Mclaren threatened to open the scoring early, a succession of corners caused the Magpies some concern.  However, the Hahndorf defence soon had the McLaren forwards under tight reign, with Michael Stevens, Brad Francis, Ashley Parr and Wayne Forrester working well.  

In midfield, Hahndorf began to take charge of the game and managed to set up attacking options. Jon Lynn and South American wizards Roly Tobar and Martin Moran dominated the central corridor, Lynn dismantling McLaren’s attacking midfield and Moran providing the vital link to the Hahndorf forward line.

Tyrone Blunt ran proceedings up front and combined well with Craig Cottle and Tobar to set up several chances. The best chance arrived from Alex Oldham, his good work down the flank garnished by a beautiful cross that arrowed to the incoming Blunt. Unfortunately Blunt managed to head the ball over the bar but the move was most promising for the Magpies. 

The breakthrough goal came from an unexpected source, Parr at his bulldog best all game, setoff with a run down the flank and angled himself towards goal. With Tobar and Blunt bearing down into the penalty area and Parr charging toward the goal line, the District custodian took a step out of his goal to cover the expected pass. Parr blasted the ball and it passed between ‘keeper and post into the net. The Hahndorf faithful roared their delight and the Magpies were at last one goal to the good.

Tobar was in the action later, latching on to a through ball from Moran, his desperate lunge preventing the ball from going out and finding the gap between the McLaren defenders. Tobar took one touch and sent a clever shot over the ‘keeper, only to see it go frustratingly wide of the goal. Blunt too had his chances, several times he found himself with time and space in the District’s penalty area but the final shots either went wide of the target or safely into the grateful goalkeeper’s arms.

 As half time approached, Hahndorf coach Peter Cottle was happy with the general state of play but frustrated by the lack of goals that the Magpies really should have put on the board.

The second half started with Hahndorf eager for the goal but again the Magpies finding themselves just shy of the target. As the game progressed and Hahndorf continued to waste opportunities, it looked like it was going to one of those days where Hahndorf proved itself to be worthy of winning well but having few goals to show for it.

To their credit, the District put up a tough battle, however Magpie ‘keeper Danny Pace marshalled his defenders well to keep the goal scoring opportunities limited. Midway through the half, Blunt emerged from a tackle with the ball at his feet and sold a defender a dummy before entering the penalty area and slotting home the second. 

Hahndorf then consolidated and played the ball around well as time began to run out for the visitors. The game ended well for Parr, getting his second and Hahndorf’s third when he beat the luckless ‘keeper to a huge kick by Danny Pace. On the break, Parr raced away from the defensive line and reading the bounce best, knocked his header over the advancing ‘keeper and into the empty net.

 2008 Reserve Cup - Hahndorf vs Salisbury Villa     

The Hahndorf reserves made the long trip to Salisbury Villa to play out a thrilling game decided in extra time, the Magpies prevailing 3-2.

Hahndorf and Villa matched up well, both sides creating chances, but neither able to capitalise on some excellent play through midfield, the attackers wasting their opportunities. The play was focussed in midfield, with Stuart Thomas, Kyle Eglinton, Jamie Brice, Vin Chow and Jack Farrimond battling hard to retain possession and putting together some flowing play.

Hahndorf scored the opener through Thomas, a trademark header powered past the Villa ‘keeper from Farrimond’s accurate corner. Hahndorf continued to produce some quality football, building from the back through Matt Medley, Owen “the black Pearl” Boyce, Ben Wells and Steve Noble.

The Magpies endeavour was rewarded with a second goal, gun forward Luke Jones finishing off a well worked move involving Chow, Brice and Wells. Hahndorf ran out the half with Villa having few chances to get on the score sheet.  

In the second term, Villa showed determined spirit as Hahndorf battled to maintain their lead. Veteran Andy Craig replaced the injured goal scorer Thomas as Hahndorf continued to retain possession and dictate the speed of play.

Hahndorf made two further substitutions, Angus Coulls and Lachlan McQueen replacing Chow and Brice as the game looked within the Magpies keeping. However with twenty minutes remaining, Salisbury opened their account with a contentious goal, a handball claim waived away by the referee allowing the Villa forward to score.

Villa then pressed forward with increasing intensity, looking for an equaliser and Hahndorf suffered a setback when resolute defenceman Noble was reduced in his mobility. Despite this, Hahndorf had several opportunities to add a third goal and finish the game, but poor finishing kept Villa in the hunt. With literally seconds left, Villa equalised with a tremendous long range shot that Hahndorf ‘keeper Mark Magrath could do nothing about.

Into extra time Hahndorf remained composed and once again took the lead through a corner. Man of the match Noble was the hero, calmly nodding the ball past the Villa defence as the ball bounced around the Villa six yard box.

The Magpies endured the onslaught that followed, Magrath and his defenders, surviving two shots hitting the post as Villa threw everything at goal. But the Magpies were resilient in giving everything to deny Salisbury a second equaliser as the game finished with both sets of players exhausted.

Both Hahndorf teams advance to the next round of the Cup, to be played in four weeks time. Next week Hahndorf are away to the Adelaide Monarchs, a club that in the past has provided a fierce contest for the Magpies.