Match report

Match report

MATCH REPORT | Round 11 Saturday 29th June

U10 Mixed – Hahndorf SC vs Stirling Districts FC Blue

10am (ish) Mylor Oval

A pitch inspection at Hahndorf initially led to the game being called off due to the soggy conditions, however, the option to move to Mylor Oval was embraced quickly by both teams. Despite losing a few players due to the relocation and delayed start, Hahndorf were able to field almost a full team thanks to U8 Zeek Neelawala joining the fray. The weather did not dampen Hahndorf’s spirits and the game commenced with high energy with Will Neelawala driving the ball down and working with Brooklyn Karamanov who passed back to W. Neelawala, managing to secure an early goal.

Stirling came back fighting, testing Hahndorf’s goalie Michael Griggs and managing to sneak a couple past into the back of the net. One of Griggs’s saves was followed by a powerful goal kick down to Harris Parkyn, on to Karamanov who took a shot at goal that was thwarted by an excellent save by Stirling’s keeper. Z. Neelawala and Valentino Adami put on some great pressure through the midfield supported by Eric Jager who kept the ball moving through the middle and slowed Stirling’s progress multiple times.

Griggs changed tactics, running out to meet the Stirling players and putting the pressure on early before they got too close. Charlie Roeszler provided consistent defensive support and the few that got around were soon stopped by Griggs who was vigilantly watching and predicting where the ball would go. After a brief respite on the bench, Parkyn came back firing, managing to weave the ball through a multitude of Stirling players and send it right into the net. Shortly after, another great save from Griggs was followed by fantastic teamwork and passing down the pitch resulting in another goal for Hahndorf courtesy of Parkyn.

After an umbrella huddle to munch through the fruit, the second half saw the Neelawala brothers both putting their bodies on the line to stop Stirling’s advances. Parkyn was also an impenetrable barrier, continuously sending the ball back down the pitch. Karamanov’s footwork and control was admirable, with a precision pass to W. Neelawala resulting in a goal for Hahndorf.

Despite Stirling’s strong offensive pressure, Griggs had really found his stride as keeper, with an incredible one handed save and his ever-trusty boot continuing to send the ball flying back into Hahndorf’s forward half. Awesome passing from Z. Neelawala and Adami through the centre encouraged great attacking pressure from Jager, Karamanov, Parkyn and W. Neelawala to keep it going. A Stirling goal kick was intercepted by Karamanov who took a shot but was foiled by an excellent save. The powerhouse forward line of Karamanov, W. Neelawala and Parkyn were relentless and it paid off with a final goal for Hahndorf, with the Hahndorf spectators starting to suspect that the boys actually play their best games in the rain!

A big thank you to the Stirling Blue team and supporters for your perseverance with the weather and relocation!