Monday June 9th 2008

Magpies Bugged By A Budapest

The Hahndorf Magpies travelled to Kilkenny to take on fierce rivals Budapest in the 7th round of the SAASL 2^nd Division. After a highly contested match, the home side managed to put in two goals to nil to take the three points.

Hahndorf shuffled the side once more in a bid to find a formation for their depleted team. They were bolstered by the return from injury of Todd Newman and the Magpies lined up with the experienced player in a deep midfield role, with the core midfield comprised of Stephen Ness and Craig Cottle, aided by flanking players Paul Charles and John Lawler, another player resurrected from injury. Dual strikers Ash Parr and Roly Tobar gave variety up front and goalkeeper Danny Pace oversaw an experienced defensive line of Tyrone Blunt, wiley fox Wayne Forrester and veteran Andy Craig.

Budapest started the game with intent and put the Magpies on the defensive, with Budapest talisman Zelko Popovic creating havoc and the Hahndorf players adjusting to the new formation. After ten minutes the Magpies found themselves a goal down, a run and cross met by a sprightly Budapest forward and he tapped in from close range.

The goal drew Hahndorf’s game into focus and they began to move the ball around well on the wide expanses of the Budapest pitch. Charles and Lawler found spaces down the flanks to provide crosses to Tobar and Parr as the Budapest defence was put under pressure. Ness, Newman and Cottle worked hard to challenge in the middle of the park and the defence began to get on top of the Budapest forwards.

With Hahndorf pressing forward, Tobar found himself with scoring opportunities but close marking prevented clear shots at goal and Parr was a constant threat with his bustling runs, often drawing crude tackles from the defence.

At the break the Magpies took stock of their situation and began the second stanza intent on squaring the ledger. Tobar worked hard without reward but supported Parr in his endeavour to get the equaliser.

A worsening muscle strain forced the substitution of Charles and he was replaced by utility Kyle Eglinton, and he looked to exploit Budapest on the right. Lack of recent games also began to hinder Newman and Alex Oldham was called on with fifteen minutes remaining to shore up the midfield while Tobar made way for Vin Chow.

During the second half, the defence of Craig, Forrester and Blunt continued to make vital tackles as Budapest looked to add to their score. However, they were unable to cover a loose player emerging from midfield and in the ensuing penalty area scramble, a poke at goal caught out the unsighted Pace to give Budapest their second.

In the remaining ten minutes, the Magpies pushed forward looking for a goal and should have been rewarded when Parr was cut down in the penalty area but Hahndorf’s protests were waved away by the referee and the game ended with the Magpies still committed to the game.

This week was a much-improved performance by the Hahndorf side and they will rue the slips in concentration that allowed Budapest to score. However, the Magpie’s new system has produced some nice passing football that will improve in the next few weeks as they get back some fit players and adjust to the style. 

Reserves

The Magpie Reserves missed a golden opportunity to grab a much sought after win, eventually conceding a late goal to be on the wrong side of the 2-1 score line.

With the continuing injury troubles plaguing the club and several reserves players recruited for the First team, Coach Edmondo Palumbo balanced the remainders to put out a very competitive side. Goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke was behind the defence of Ben Wells, the returning Stuart Thomas and youths Matt Medley and Sam Gowan.  The Magpies began sharply and pushed the ball around well with midfielders Jamie Brice, Brad Coleman, Vin Chow and Rupert Lindon using the spaces well, bringing front runners Jack Goodfellow and Luke Jones into the game.

Brice had the first clear chance but pushed his header wide after some good build up play. After thirty minutes Gus Coulls replaced Coleman, the midfielder ranging far and wide on the big pitch and feeling the strain after returning from injury. In defence Gowan was putting in some timely tackles and building on his good form over the recent weeks.

With half time looming, Hahndorf had a perfectly good goal disallowed, Wells crossing from deep and Brice’s header fumbled by the Budapest ‘keeper. Coulls pounced on the dropped ball and slid it into the net but the referee, who rarely strolled far from the centre circle, did not award the goal.

At nil all going into the second half, the Magpies put in a series of attacks, Jones having a angled cross just kept out by the home ‘keeper. Chow and Coulls combined to get Goodfellow into a scoring position but he could not keep his shot on target.

 The pressure on Budapest took its toll however and a goalkeeper error saw a loose ball hammered home by Jones, his effort taking a deflection before getting in the net.

As the game progressed, a tiring Gowan was replaced by Palumbo as Hahndorf battled to maintain their lead. They were dealt a blow when Budapest equalised with fifteen minutes remaining and struggled to contain a now buoyant Budapest side. With just minutes left Budapest added a second to deflate the Magpie side. They pushed hard in the remaining minutes but the experience of the home side saw them take the points.

It was a cruel end to the match for Hahndorf with many players giving a good account of themselves, Chow especially outstanding in midfield and player of the day for the Magpies.

Next week both sides will have to pick themselves up for a crucial match away at Adelaide University, another team also struggling at the wrong end of the table.