Monday August 6 2007
HAHNDORF KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING
Hahndorf kept up the pressure on the SAAASL Third division league leaders with an impressive 5-1 win over Flinders University on Saturday. A brace to Craig Cottle and hat-trick for the prolific Sam Bowman, sporting a new Tintin haircut, secured another win for the Magpies.
Both teams started the match tentatively as they sized each other up, however it wasn’t long before Hahndorf started creating the better chances. The opening goal resulted from some fine defensive work by Craig Thompson, dispossessing a Flinders player and passing to Bowman and he glided down the wing, going past two defenders. Cutting his pass back from the byline, Bowman just failed to find Jon Lynn at the front post, instead it fell to Cottle at the far post and he made no mistake from eight metres.
Carrying momentum, Hahndorf created more opportunities with Cottle showing some rare pace down the flank and whipping in a cross that just missed the closing Bowman. Defensive stalwart Neil Slater drove a free kick into Skipper Matt Norris, who flicked his header towards Bowman. Bowman executed an extravagant bicycle kick but his shot went over the bar.
Flinders countered with a chance at the near post but were errant in their aim, however soon after they capitalised on a rare mistake. Goalkeeper Daniel Pace just failed to control a high ball and in the ensuing melee Flinders poked the ball home.
Hahndorf didn’t dwell on the goal and their lead was soon restored when Lynn broke up play and passed to Angus “House” Hambrook who laid a well-weighted ball to Bowman. With the University ‘keeper advancing, Bowman took a single touch in diverting the ball past the custodian and it rolled into the empty net.
Hahndorf continued to apply pressure to Flinders and excellent defensive work by Michael Stevens was well supported by Brad Francis and Todd Newman. Norris was putting himself about in midfield and with House and Thompson marauding down the flanks, Hahndorf went into half time with a 2-1 lead.
After half time, Hahndorf continued where they left off, Hambrook sending a long throw to Norris who forced the Flinders ‘keeper into a fine save. He was powerless to keep out Bowman’s haeder soon after though, a great corner from Thompson met powerfully by the Tintin look-a-like to extend Hahndorf’s lead to 3-1.
Flinders did not stop trying though and they had several chances to reduce the margin, their best a long shot just going over the bar. Newman sustained an injury and Steven Ness was brought on in midfield as Hahndorf opened up chances through Bowman, Norris and Cottle. The Magpies kept up a period of sustained pressure without reward and Flinders stepped up their game with some attacking moves. Pace did very well in knocking away a 50-50 ball for a corner amid University claims for a penalty and Stevens was dominating in his defensive position.
Hahndorf went further ahead with Cottle’s second, the University ‘keeper having an unfortunate “Calamity James “ moment when he over-ran a ball entering the area. The ball fell to Cottle who passed into the vacant net for 4-1.
It was soon 5-1 when Bowman completed his hat-trick, outsprinting his defender and deftly beating the forlorn goalkeeper.
Hahndorf had more opportunities to score when Norris had his goal-bound shot stopped by a deliberate handball, earning the culprit an early shower. Norris stepped for the penalty but, to his disgust, struck his shot wide. Tyrone Blunt was brought on for Norris soon after, as a precaution for next week, as Hahndorf ran out the game in control.
Best on the day were Bowman, Cottle, Stevens and Hambrook.
The result keeps the Magpies charge to the top on track and next week they will be looking to secure a vital three points when visiting league-topping Adelaide Villa.
Hahndorf Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves put on an attacking display to run out 8-4 winners in a high scoring game. The scoring of a goal to Tyrone Blunt, a hat-trick to John Lawler while Ashley Parr and Steve Ness contributed a pair of braces, lifting Hahndorf’s challenge at the top end of the table.
Hahndorf got off to a flying start, bagging two goals in the first ten minutes to put the Flinders’ team on the back foot. A good build up through midfield and pressure in the University penalty area saw Ness bury a sharp effort past the Flinders’ goalkeeper. Soon after, Skipper Parr doubled the advantage with a sweetly hit shot that found the inside left post.
The Magpies pushed for more but paid the price for some sloppy work as Flinders University stormed back into the match with two quick goals, finding space behind defenders Michael Csengi, Ben Wells, Andy Craig and Graham Philips and exposing Magpie custodian Nathaniel Brooke.
With the game at parity, Hahndorf found their rhythm again and a centimetre perfect cross by Wells was met by Parr and he fired his header past the stranded ‘keeper. Hahndorf continued to pressure University with Blunt, Stuart Thomas and Kyle Eglinton tightening up the midfield. This resulted in several more scoring chances and before half time Lawler added the Magpies fourth with a drive into the top corner of goal.
The Magpies continued their scoring form after the break when Thomas fed a through ball for Ness to add his second, his cool finish making it 5-2. The Magpies pushed the University defence and Lawler found them in full retreat as space opened in front of him. He took full advantage, curling a rasping shot from distance around the exposed ‘keeper and into the net.
Blunt decided to get into the act and his persistence was rewarded after a battling run and he poked his shot home from the edge of the area. Holding a five-goal advantage, the Magpies then suffered five minutes of defensive insecurity as Flinders pounced for two quick goals. Playing with four up front and seemingly abandoning their midfield, University pumped long balls at the Hahndorf defence and took advantage of the uncertainty that crept into the home teams’ back line to quickly make it 7-4.
Hahndorf made three substitutions in the remaining twenty minutes, replacing Ness, Eglinton and Blunt with Steve Handley and the two Brads, Kroehn and Coleman. Hahndorf recovered their composure and with ten minutes to go, Lawler completed his hat-trick, getting on the end of Handley’s diagonal pass to calmly knock the ball over the advancing ‘keeper for the final score of 8-4.
It was a pleasing attacking display by the Reserves, and although they will want to stop the defensive lapses, they are in good form to visit league leaders Adelaide Villa next week. Best on the day were Parr, Blunt and Craig.
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