Match report

Match report

Hahndorf were set to field a team of nine but in true club spirit, Ryder Hill & Emlyn Gilroy backed up from the under 13’s to provide a full complement. With a last-minute shuffle of the line-up, Coach James Kerr would have impressed on his troops the importance of each player playing their role.

The first half started in fine conditions allowing for a free-flowing game. With depleted numbers, the Hahndorf defence were going to be disciplined and play at their best. Hahndorf generally defends as a back four with Tyler Weyland and the Rock Rayner in the middle, with the General and skipper Eddie Hardingham on the flanks. With Murray Bridge fielding some talented attacking players, the Hahndorf back four had a fight on their hands but were up for the challenge. Rayner is a constant thorn in the side of attackers, his positional play has been exceptional this year with a true courage under fire approach to his game.

Apart from a tenth minute penalty kick being rewarded to Hahndorf which Xavier Kell was able to convert, the first half was an evenly matched affair. Pleasing to the Coach would have been the players sticking to their game plan. With the defence strong, the mid-field trio of Turbo, Boudica and Kell were also playing their roles as needed both defending and providing attacking opportunities from all angles.

The half time advantage of the single goal didn’t feel like a game winning advantage, and with a heavy downpour of rain to start the second half, the game was on the line. It felt like something was going to give, but to which side’s favour it wasn’t clear cut. In the 48th minute, Kell made a telling run through the mid-field and like a red hot chilli pepper was able to get under the Bridge’s defence and slot home his second for the game.

Despite the heavy downpour, both teams deserve credit for the level of skill displayed. Whilst Jye Martin had the first half keeping duties for Hahndorf, he was replaced for the second half by Turbo Boekel who must have been somewhat nervous about which way the wet slippery ball would go, but to his credit he was solid, sending the ball back into attack with some powerful kicks.

The U13’s combination of Hill & Gilroy played on the attacking flanks and played out of their skins. Hahndorf has some beaut boys here, how the team would have gone had they not put their hands up, we can only wonder.

Whilst Hahndorf has an array of attacking options, their main go to up front is Kyle ‘the assassin’ Fenlon. With goals in each game for the season, he has killed off the chances of many an opposing team, and today’s game was no different with his 68th minute effort finding the back of the net, a result of some great end to end team play.

With a 3-0 advantage, Hahndorf were able to close out the game with no further score. Coach Kerr was a delighted man at game’s end – and credited the win as being one of the best he had been involved with. This was no small praise considering his lengthy involvement with soccer, and reflected what was a true team effort, playing for each other in a tough but well spirited game.