Monday August 27 2007 - Matchday Scribe: Andy Craig.
IMPRESSIVE SEASON FINALE
Hahndorf ended its season with a comprehensive 6 – 1 victory over Old Ignatians in front of a big crowd, with goals to Matt Norris, Todd Newman and a final four to goal machine Sam Bowman.
After a slow start on a warm day, the Magpies built their game up and after twenty minutes, Bowman opened the scoring with his fortieth goal of the season. A series of passes between Bowman and Craig Cottle saw them carve open the Old Ignatians defence and Cottle’s cross left Bowman with a cheeky chip over the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
As the game developed Hahndorf began to take control with Jon Lynn and Matt Norris battling hard for the midfield posession. However, it was the Tigers who surprised Hahndorf with the opening goal after twenty minutes. The Tigers moved forward and with no-one putting in a challenge, a short pass found a free forward and he stepped around one player to fire a low shot into the corner of goal.
Hahndorf skipper Matt Norris and fellow midfielders Steven Ness, Chris Wilson and Jon Lynn battled for the hard ball and this led to more chances by the prolific Bowman. However it was Bowman who turned provider for the second goal after linking up with Cottle’s pass and sending in a centering ball to Norris. The Magpie hard man met the volley and knocked it past a despairing Ignatians ‘keeper as Hahndorf took a two nil lead.
Not sitting on their laurels, Hahndorf created more opportunities, the best falling to Ness, who blasted a shot over the bar after connecting with Cottle’s cross. In defence Brad Francis, Owen ‘the B;ack Pearl’ Boyce, Todd Newman and Michael Stevens kept the Ingatians attacks under control and the Ignatians did not really create too many chances in the first half.
The second half opened up well for the home side, a series of passes through Lynn opening up Ignatians before Cottle delivered a centimetre perfect cross that dropped onto Bowman’s boot. Without breaking stride, Bowman slotted the ball past the exposed ‘keeper to complete a smart move from a team on top of its game.
Hahndorf began to dominate possession and were pushing the ball around well so it was a surprise when the Old Ignatians scored against the run of play. A midfielder ran down the wing and put in a ball that eluded several Hahndorf players in the six yard box before an Ignatians’ forward got a toe on it and poked it home.
Hahndorf erased the blemish with a fourth goal soon after, more great work by Cottle finding Bowman and his first touch sending his defender the wrong way before powering a shot past the Ignatians’ custodian. Hahndorf did not let up and quickly added their fifth, Bowman benefiting from Ness’s powerful effort. The goalkeeper could only parry the shot and the rebound fell to Bowman who needed no second invitation to bury the ball into the back of the net.
With the score at 5 – 1, Hahndorf relaxed a little and a bit of niggle crept into the game, which mainly drew amusement from the Hahndorf defenders. Lynn began to push more forward and was unlucky not to add to the tally with a sharp chance. Coach Peter Cottle brought on John Lawler for Ness as the Magpies went close again, Wilson putting his header wide after an excellent ball in by Lynn.
With the season drawing to a close, reliable defender Newman opened up his seasons tally with a gem from thirty-five metres. Newman struck the free kick well and it drew the ‘keeper out but he hesitated as Bowman bore down to meet the ball. The ball passed between ‘keeper and forward, deceiving both with its curl and ending in the net, a great goal from the man with many boots.
A further substitution saw Ben Wells replace Stevens in the remaining stages as Lynn went looking for a goal but put his header over the bar after Bowman’s cross. As the game wound down, Wilson produced a fine piece of trickery on the ball, his twinkle toes evading the Ignatians player and passing to Bowman. Bowman sent a lovely diagonal ball to Lawler and he crossed back to Bowman who just went wide with his final shot of the season.
He was not too disappointed however, when the referee called an end to the match, having bagged a total of 43 goals for the season to be by far the leagues top scorer. The final win of the season put Hahndorf within two points of promotion and drew to a close a fine season. Best on the day were Cottle, who had a brilliant game, Norris and Bowman. Coach Cottle
Hahndorf Reserves
In a frustrating match, the Hahndorf Reserves ended the season with their first draw, the 1 – 1 result arising from a penalty to each side.
Hahndorf went into the match with a changed line-up from its last few games, starting John Lawler up front and bringing in Brad Coleman and Rupert Lindon. The Magpie reserves started well, adjusting to the new formation and began to create some early opportunities. Midfielder Tyrone Blunt held the ball well early on and stalwart Stuart Thomas made sure the Old Ignatians didn’t get many easy possessions in the middle as Hahndorf developed their game.
Coleman and Kyle Eglinton found the Ingatians’ defence quite porous down the flanks and supplied Lawler with some good opportunities but he failed to find the target on several occasions as Hahndorf pressed for the opening goal. The breakthrough arrived when an Ingatians’ defender handballed an Eglinton cross inside the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Lawler stepped up to power the penalty kick past the goalkeeper and give the Magpies the deserved lead.
In defence Andy Craig, Graham Philips, Brad Kroehn and Ben Wells were coping with the Ignatians forwards well and kept the scoring chances to a minimum. Goalkeeper Nathaniel Brooke was alert to the high bounce and the long ball game the Old Ignatians were playing. However, in a harsh decision, Brooke was deemed to impede an Ignatians player after blocking a powerful shot and a penalty was given for the second time in the match. The Ignatians player put the shot wide of Brooke and the score was even at 1-1.
Hahndorf fought back for the advantage with Coleman finding space on the wing and putting in a few crosses but these just failed to be met by the Hahndorf forwards and they squandered a few more opportunities before half time.
After half time, the Magpies continued to dominate on the park but had little to show for it on the scoreboard. Craig had the defence well organised and was cutting out the long high balls while Wells moved into midfield after James Astley replaced Blunt. A second substitution later had Steve Handley replacing Lawler and Hahndorf found the game opening up as players tired in the heat.
Wells exploited space on the flank and sent in several dangerous crosses but again these chances went begging, as Hahndorf could not find a way past the Ignatians’ goalkeeper. Lindon had a sharp chance with a header but it too was wide of the mark.
A long throw was well met by Thomas and the Magpies thought they had the winning goal but the header crashed into the post with the Ignatians’ goalkeeper looking on. Hahndorf piled on the pressure but could not find a way through by the time the referee called full time.
Best on the day were Coleman, Craig, Wells and Eglinton. The result continued Hahndorf’s unbeaten run in the second half of the season and confirmed second spot in the league, a magnificent effort and the Reserves best ever placing. Coach Edmondo Palombo, in his debut season, was very happy with the years results and the determination shown by the team, especially during the later half of the season.
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