Match report

Match report

After a chaotic Friday of last-minute withdrawals, frantic messages to younger age groups for help, and 5 of their original squad declared unavailable, Mt Barker's U13 Red team arrived at Hahndorf to face the Magpies on a cool morning.
These two sides have forged somewhat of an epic rivalry over the last few seasons, with 2 knockout nail-biters across 2022 going one apiece to each side. With a few lethal goal-kickers leaving both teams to pursue higher levels of competition, one could expect the rivalry to have dissipated, but fans were unknowingly about to witness another classic...
Mt Barker kicked off with barely 11 on the field, and their top scorers nursed minor injuries from the outset. Two U11's had stepped up to the big pitch to lend a hand, and an U13 White club mate was being fast-tracked from Willunga. However, the Reds began with an empty bench, and could be forgiven for approaching their striped opponents with caution. The Crusaders did the opposite, however: Rebounding magpie attacks with intent, the Reds found themselves in the attacking box, and some quick thinking by the striker saw the visitors gain a 1-0 lead about 15 minutes in. By the 25-minute mark, the lead had doubled, but the Magpies continued to create chances and challenge the defensive wall, which was a rag-tag concoction of veterans and incredibly brave youngsters. The wall of red did excellently to repel these attacks, but the Magpies were creating numerous shots on goal, and had the luxury of fresh legs off the bench - an element that would prove to be monumental by the end of this contest.
As the second half began, it was clear that momentum had shifted. The usual offensive pressure of the Reds was rather subdued, which gave the home team's defenders the chance to set up and send their wingers down the line, before crossing it in to their dangerous strikers.
While this was ineffective to start with, a swooping magpie found the net in the 56th minute. The Reds countered, and their central midfielder was incredibly unlucky when his sensational chip over the defence clanged off the crossbar. 9 minutes after their first, the magpies leveled; a heroic save from the visiting 'keeper went straight to the feet of an unmarked striker, who gleefully thumped it home. It was clear the visitors were absolutely spent, and after such a strong first half, they simply lost the energy to keep up with the fresh legs of the home team.
The critical moment came in the dying seconds, when the Barker defenders just couldn't cover all their bases. Another magpie strike. Another diving save from the Barker keeper. And another striker, poised at the back post to deliver the final blow.
The home team elated; the visitors shattered.  3-2 to Hahndorf in another epic between the 2 teams. The rivalry continues!