Monday August 13 2007
SPOT KICK HEARTACHE
Hahndorf played out a valiant game against undefeated Adelaide Villa, hitting the woodwork three times before succumbing to a controversial penalty, the only score for the match.
As could be expected from the two top teams, the game was a fairly even affair for the first twenty minutes with clear chances at goal rare. Both teams were alert to the vagaries of the pitch, its hard, bumpy surface making precise play a challenge and the fresh wind increasing the degree of difficulty. Villa had one shot go across the face of goal with Hahndorf ‘keeper Danny Pace watching closely. At the other end Craig Thompson launched a speculative effort from distance that almost caught out the Villa custodian, the odd bounce forcing him to tip the ball over the bar.
Villa then had a period of sustained possession, forcing the defence of Todd Newman, Brad Francis, Neil Slater and Michael Stevens to work hard in denying Villa any clear shots. They were ably supported by Jon Lynn, nipping away at the Villa midfield along with Skipper Matt Norris, Angus ‘House’ Hambrook and the two Craig’s, Thompson and Cottle. In the frontline, the league’s leading marksman Sam Bowman drew some close attention, not all of it seeming to be within the rules.
The deciding score arrived after thirty minutes of close football. With eyes only for the ball, a robust challenge for a header was deemed to impede a Villa player and the referee pointed to the spot for the dubious foul. Hahndorf custodian Pace went the right way but could not stop the well-hit penalty from scoring.
It was a bitter blow for the Magpies and Bowman looked to equalise soon after but hit his rasping shot wide of the mark. Tensions rose with each side picking up yellow cards, both for throwing the ball away, as the tight game continued and half time beckoned.
The second half began like the first, Slater, Newman and Stevens getting the better of the Villa forwards and Hahndorf struggling to get a shot on goal as the tight contest resumed. Chris Wilson joined the fray with Owen Boyce, replacing the injured Hambrook and Francis.
Norris got in a chance for the Magpies but his header was saved by the Villa ‘keeper, while the hosts attacked on the break but wasted a good opportunity by sending the ball well over the crossbar. The game began to open up with more opportunities to Villa, a volley going wide of goal and then Stevens raiding down the flank to put Hahndorf in an attacking mode. The pressure nearly paid dividends as Norris hit the post with the Villa ‘keeper beaten.
The intensity picked up and tough challenges went in from both sides, the combative Norris and Newman prominent. Hahndorf then piled on the pressure with another free kick from Cottle. Well-flighted, it forced a Villa defender into flicking the ball on and it cannoned off the crossbar, to the anguish of the Hahndorf faithful. Steven Ness replaced Norris for the final fifiteen minutes and almost immediately drew a free for an unintentional elbow to the head. Cottle picked out Bowman but the goalkeeper again saved his header.
The Magpies desperately pushed for a goal, Lynn showing some trickery in the box before Ness shot at goal, only for a Villa leg to keep the ball out. Stevens ran riot down the wing and sent a great ball to Bowman who shot truly. The Villa ‘keeper dived to his right to deny Bowman and the ball went for a corner. As the final minute counted down, Hahndorf took the corner and it was cleared to Bowman, thirty metres out. He struck an absolute thunderbolt that smashed into the Villa crossbar as the Magpies could not believe their hard luck. It was to be the last effective play of the day and despite their magnificent efforts, Hahndorf emerged with no points.
In a terrific all around display, the best on the day were Stevens, Slater and Lynn. Next week the Hahndorf Magpies take on the unpredictable Adelaide Tigers at Pine Avenue as they continue to push for promotion.
Hahndorf Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves put in a great team effort to outlast Adelaide Villa, running out 2-1 winners over the previously undefeated team. A brace to Tyrone Blunt along with some resolute defending sealed the three points for the Magpie Reserves.
The opening minutes saw both teams adjusting to the gusty winds and bumpy pitch making ball control difficult. Villa had a couple of early chances but the Hahndorf defence of Andy Craig, Graham Philips, Michael Csengi and Ben Wells stood firm with Magpie ‘keeper Nathaniel Brooke commanding the penalty area.
As the game developed, the Hahndorf midfield started to put Villa under pressure and their passing went astray. Stuart Thomas, Tyrone Blunt, Kyle Eglinton and John Lawler all worked hard to prevent easy possession and found Ashley Parr and Steven Ness eager to run the ball at the Villa defence.
Parr and Eglinton combined to find space on the left and Parr fired in a low cross for Lawler. However the ball took an errant bobble and Lawler just failed to get boot to ball with the goal beckoning. Hahndorf kept up the momentum in denying Villa any time on the ball and went searching for the opening goal.
Hahndorf’s hard work was rewarded after 25 minutes, Craig finding Ness out wide with a free kick. Ness beat his opponent for pace and crossed the ball where it was met by Blunt and he drove the shot with authority past the exposed ‘keeper. Blunt’s joyous celebrations saw a rare turn of speed that took him to the delighted Magpie faithful and coaching staff.
Villa hit back with some runs at the Hahndorf defence but found them in a miserly mood, getting feet, legs and bodies in the way of any shots and the game went to half time with the top-of-the-table hosts frustrated in not finding an equaliser.
Adelaide Villa launched themselves at Hahndorf after the break, trying to find a path through to goal. Brooke made several important saves before Villa scored the equaliser, the defence outnumbered after a quick break. Although the game was at parity, both sides felt they could win and fought for every possession as the intensity lifted.
Craig intercepted a through ball and lifted it into a gap, chasing the kick he then managed to get a toe on the ball. It fell to Thomas and he chipped it into the last line of defence where two defenders collided under pressure from Craig. The ball spilled loose for the Villa ‘keeper and Eglinton to equally challenge before it squirted clear to the unmarked Blunt. With the goal at his mercy Blunt made no mistake, stroking into the empty net and restoring Hahndorf’s lead.
Hahndorf made a series of substitutions bringing on Rupert Lindon, Brad Kroehn and Brad Coleman replacing Lawler, Eglinton and Ness. Villa stepped up their game and for the remaining twenty minutes the Magpies survived some good chances, Philips’ late lunge blocking a goal-bound effort and Brooke hanging on to a stinging shot from close range. Villa’s player/coach then had a chance to equalise but his header glanced off the crossbar before full time was signalled.
The win was just reward for the impressive effort by all the Reserves players and keeps the Magpies in the race for the title. Best on the day were Craig, Blunt and Brooke. Next week Hahndorf host Adelaide Tigers at Pine Avenue.
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