Match report

Match report

BREAKING: Upon their return from Birmingham, the Australian swim team made a shock appearance at Pine Avenue, mistaking it for an Aquatics Centre...
After the Dolphins had packed up and left, Mt Barker Red and Hahndorf rocked up to the Magpies' home ground to lock horns in the U12 top-of-the-table clash.
The first half was a tumultuous tussle for territory; Hahndorf was missing a few key players, but for the most part managed to keep the Reds at bay. Barker did manage to strike once in the opening half, though; a marauding midfielder lashed a shot from the edge of the box to take the early lead.
1-0 to the visitors at half time, and it was increasingly evident that the weather was having an effect on the gameplay. The Reds strikers are typically prolific at overcoming opponents with lightning speed and dazzling footwork. Hahndorf has also been known to score heavily from similar methods. however, the muddy wasteland would nullify this tactic, and both teams had to adapt.
The Magpies were the first to find a solution: the Barker defence was all but impenetrable when challenged on the ground; but the kicking power of the Hahndorf keeper allowed aerial passes to sail and skid over the Reds' defensive wall, gifting the striped strikers a chance. Despite some incredible saves by the Barker keeper, Hahndorf equaliased within 10 minutes of the half.
The Magpies were swooping, but the Reds weren't done with yet. Airborne through balls out of the midfield gave the Barker forwards a chance, and in the 42nd minute, a burst of speed and a selfless cross led to the visitors second goal, kicked by a rising star from close range. The Reds were determined to extend their lead, and by the 47th minute, they had goaled twice more, putting the result beyond doubt.
As the whistle blew to end the contest, both teams shook hands at the close of the third and final hard-fought match between the sides in Season 2022.
The visitors celebrated their victory, and players from both sides were then unified in their joy of a post-game belly-slide in the mud. In other news, there has been an unprecedented rise in laundry detergent sales since Saturday morning...