Match report

Match report

Hahndorf U16's travelled to the Ashton oval to meet the Rangers today in a vital game that would test their depth, with star midfielder Kane Gibbs missing for a second successive week and his equally important sidekick, Xavier Kell, being on restricted playing time after a calf strain in last week`s loss to Woodside

The match started in warm sunny conditions on a difficult hard and uneven playing surface which made it very hard for players form both sides to control the ball effectively and a highly unusual number of handball calls due to the uneven bounce. The Hahndorf coach rotated normal defensive specialist Jackson Doley into the midfield along with Angus Mason to cover the loss of the abovementioned players

The first 20 minutes was an even scrappy affair with the conditions making clean play very difficult. Rangers had good chances early with ex-Hahndorf player Shannon Cox proving especially dangerous . However, 'keeper James Bagley, in his best game for the year, made short work of the challenges with his very clean hands and springboarded many Hahndorf attacks with his powerful throws. The injection of Kell midway through the half settled the team, and his persistence and Doley`s creativity started to lead to the cleaner scoring chances the forwards were desiring. Eddie Hardingham, in a strong captain`s game, opened the scoring with a powerful strike from the right side. Kyle Fenlon added another shortly after with a typical bullocking effort and just before halftime, Doley set up Fenlon with a wonderful set play for a third goal. Halftime came with the scoreline of 3 – 0 not really reflecting the evenness of the struggle.

The second half started and the class and experience of Hahndorf really started to shine through. Defenders David Nielsen, Josh Rayner, Alex Montagu, Oakley Lockyer and Kit Erhart-Bruce completely shut down the Rangers forwards and the ball spent most of the half camped in the Hahndorf attacking zone.  Mason, Kell and Doley dominated the midfield early and Hardingham, when moved there through player rotations, did a terrific job also. Hardingham added another goal midway through the half and Kell added his second shortly after. Coach Kerr gave him the rest of game off thereafter to freshen him up for the important game next week against Strathalbyn.

The final scoreline was 5 – 0 and was a welcome return of confidence for the boys after last weeks disappointing loss. A special mention to the new boys Toby Bockel, Hayden Abrahams, Erhart-Bruce and Lockyer who collectively put in their best performances of the year in difficult conditions and at a time when, for the first time, it looked like the injuries etc may have a role to play in the drive for the title.

Next week should welcome the return of Gibbs in a game where a win will surely wrap up a thoroughly well deserved title for the boys.

By Mark Doley