Wednesday February 28 2008

2008 German Arms Summer Club Challenge - Game Day 2               

Game Day Two of the German Arms Summer Soccer Tournament took place in Hahndorf last Saturday. In the morning games, the surprise was the Hahndorf first team who was able to hold the high fliers Stirling to a 1-1 drew in an entertaining game that could have gone either way.

Stirling’s dominance over Division One and Hahndorf in the last few years indicated on paper that the home team had an uphill battle to avoid being demolished on the pitch. Both teams have lost several players from last season, but the game did not show any signs of being one sided and low quality since the first minute with the two teams playing with intensity and keen to do well.

Stirling played a possession and passing game, gradually building up and pushing forward. Hahndorf, on the other hand, kept its shape and position on the pitch, pressuring Stirling players, minimising the risks of an early goal and threatening back.

Hahndorf took a deserved early lead through Johnny “Beckenbauer “Lynn, the outstanding player for Hahndorf on the day.

From then on, Stirling tried to break Hahndorf to equalize but the whole team held its ground comfortably marshaled by the experienced defender Wayne Forrester. Hahndorf was able to hold the lead and control Stirling attempts threatening them on the counterattack.

Late in the second period, Stirling deservedly equalised and the game took another turn with both teams pushing for a goal that could have sealed a win. The intensity and pressure increased from both sides with the spectators enjoying some good football.

A special mention has to be made for two of Hahndorf youngsters, both seventeen who last year won the title with the Hahndorf under 17 team: Jack Farrimond and Alex Oldham. They played their first game for Hahndorf Seniors on Saturday showing no signs of stage fright and being outstanding throughout the whole game.

The Hahndorf Soccer Club was very happy with the result obtained by the team, especially the way they played against a highly rated team such as Stirling.

In the other games in the First Team Division, Adelaide Wanderers demolished a hapless Old Ignatians 9-0 in a one sided affair. Wanderers are certainly the team to beat in this tournament, showing advanced team preparation, strength and skills across all areas.

In the Reserve Division, Hahndorf lost 11-0 to a stronger Stirling team and Wanderers beat Old Ignatians 6-2. In the latter game, the result does not provide a thorough representation of the game. Old Ignatians were able to hold and threaten the highly fancied Wanderers for a long period of time, in an entertaining game. In the end experience and fitness enable Wanderers to take control of the game.

Hahndorf Reserve had also two youngsters from the highly successful 2007 under 17 team from last year playing their first game for the seniors: Matt Medley and Andrews Kenny. Both players played well and demonstrated skills that will serve them well this year.

The draw between Hahndorf and Stirling was certainly the surprise of the day and left both teams still in the hunt for the tournament title. Next week, Stirling will meet Adelaide Wanderers in the morning session and this could be the game of the tournament considering that last year both teams were in contention until the very last game for the title and it will be a prelude for this year’s Division One.

Hahndorf will play Old Ignatians in the afternoon, looking to consolidate on the effort from Saturday game against Stirling and measure itself against a team that will be in the same Division this year.