Match report

Match report

The 2021 season has been challenging for all involved in Hills Soccer, so it was good to get back on the park after a Covid enforced hiatus. The Hahndorf team is very appreciative of Coach James Kerr showing his commitment to the team at the time of a family bereavement. We extend our condolences to James, Anita and the Kerr family.

Hahndorf v Woodside had produced two very exciting close games in the season to date with the ledger square at one a piece. Hahndorf, after a loss to Murray Bridge, were needing a win to keep their title hopes alive for the year, so tension was high amongst the players and their supporters.

Unsurprisingly with a lot at stake, the game started as a physical affair with both teams keen to test each other out. Whilst Woodside were able to score a goal within the first ten minutes, neither team had any great ascendancy with the play ebbing and flowing from end of the ground to the other, mid-way through the half, Kyle Fenlon was able to slot home an equaliser from a good team build up.

A 35th minute penalty to Hahndorf saw Xavier Kell give Hahndorf the lead and what would have thought to be a half time lead, only to see Woodside also be given a penalty in the 40th minute, which despite goalie, Eddie Hardingham, getting a hand to it, it wasn’t enough to stop the goal and a 2-2 halftime score line.

The second half mirrored the first half with both teams sharing an equal amount of possession. A free kick to Hahndorf just outside of the box, saw Kane Gibbs slot the ball into the top corner of the net from what was a sublime strike to see Hahndorf go ahead once more.

Despite some outstanding defensive efforts from Josh Rayner, David Nielsen, Tyler Weyland and Oliver Thorpe (in his first game back since breaking his arm in the opening round) mid-way through the half, Woodside was able to grab two goals in quick succession, with due credit to the heading skills of the Woodside team.

With an ominous looking score line, Hahndorf were going to need something special to stay in the game, and so it was that within minutes of Woodside taking the lead, Gibbs, perhaps with Jurasalem bells ringing in his head, slotted home his second goal from long range. A better goal at any level of soccer would be hard to find, quite brilliant.

Coach Kerr had the luxury of four substitute players for the game and the injection of Stefan Panich, Alexander Romaldi, Damon Martin and Elwin Aylen at different times in the game mixed things up nicely creating a number of chances and the commitment of these younger players was outstanding taking on boys older and considerably bigger.

The ever-reliable Toby Boekel and Jye Martin tested the Woodside fringes creating some terrific go forward and were equally desperate in defence along with Dan McArthur, who as always played a solid mid-field role before donning the goalie top for the second half.

As the clock ticked over into the last 7 minutes of the game, the score line was even, Hahndorf looked to be absorbing the attacking forays but unfortunately another superb header effort saw Woodside go ahead and unfortunately Hahndorf was not able to find an equaliser.

Whilst bitterly disappointed, the Hahndorf boys should be proud of their effort. The ground was heavy and wet making it all the more difficult, but the skill and determination shown was fantastic. With six

more games for the year to come, the team has the opportunity to show what they are made of and enjoy the rest of the season.