Match report

Match report

This beautifully sunny Saturday morning saw our final game of the 2023 season begin with a discussion about respecting teammates, opponents, families, officials, and spectators for the Hahndorf Soccer Club’s ‘Respect Round’. In a touching display, players, families, officials, and spectators all cheered while the players formed a Guard of Honour for Game Leader Dan McConville as he entered the pitch to begin the 8v8 modified match. The full complement of Hahndorf players hosted Bridgewater Blue U7s at a brilliantly green Rob Kilpatrick Park. Game Leader D McConville was eagerly followed onto the pitch by Hahndorf midfield players Ryan Glynn, Avery Buchanan, Asa Bartsch, and Victor Bartsch, striker Hamish Holmes, and the defensive line of Finn Bond, Patrick Griggs, and Axel Pym in goalkeeper for the starting kick-off.

Both teams seemed evenly matched, with the ball spending a lot of time in the midfield, and neither team prepared to concede. Hahndorf worked extremely well as a cohesive team, with the defensive line returning the ball quickly to the midfield and onto to the striker following an attack attempt by Bridgewater Blue. The midway point of the first half saw William Moran take on the role of striker (from Holmes), and Chloe Pippos and Alfie McConville substitute on for Buchanan and V Bartsch in the midfield. Following the substitutions, the Hahndorf midfield supported striker Moran to a number of goal attempts, unfortunately coming away empty handed. Similarly, Bridgewater Blue also struggled to break through the strong Hahndorf defensive line.

After the half-time break, Hahndorf returned with several strong attacks from Bond, now in the striker role, however it was V Bartsch that chalked up Hahndorf’s goal for the match. Glynn, Buchanan, and McConville (goalkeeper) worked well in Hahndorf’s defense – stopping a number of goal attempts by Bridgewater Blue. V Bartsch, Holmes, McConville, Moran, and Pippos worked tirelessly in the midfield, with support from striker Bond to keep the Bridgewater Blue side on their toes! Following the final changeover of the match, Pippos replacing Bond in the striker role, and A Bartsch and Griggs relieved Glynn and Buchanan in the defensive line. The back-and-forth continued, with both teams putting in a tremendous effort given their visible fatigue. With the match completed, the 2023 Hahndorf U7 team sang Axel Pym happy (7th) birthday and enthusiastically posed for team photos with beaming smiles! Hahndorf team and officials would like to thank the Bridgewater Blue team and officials for a great game.

We would also like to thank Bridgewater (Blue, Green, and White), FC Summit, Rangers, Stirling Districts, and Woodside Soccer Clubs, the Hahndorf Soccer Club (additionally for being such a welcoming and supportive club!), and the Adelaide Hills Junior Soccer Association (AHJSA) for an awesome 2023 season.