Match report

Season Date Round Venue
2021 U17 22nd May 11:00am League Round 7 HSC Main Pitch 1
Goals
K. Fenlon (15'), K. Fenlon (18'), K. Fenlon (21'), X. Kell (36'), K. Gibbs (46'), X. Kell (65'), X. Kell (70'), X. Kell (73')

Best
X. Kell (1st), K. Gibbs (2nd), T. Weyland (3rd)
Goals
N/A

Best
N/A
Match report

Hahndorf played host to Strathalbyn on an unseasonably warm late May morning. With Boudica being rested, and still waiting on the return of the injured Ollie Thorpe, Hahndorf again needed to send an SOS to the junior ranks to field a full side with the call being answered by Damon Martin and Tom Boekel. Hahndorf was further boosted by the return of Kane Gibbs, back after a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

Coach James Kerr has got Hahndorf’s structure set up well, from the defensive line through the mid field to the attacking line, Hahndorf is doing what all good teams do playing a co-ordinated game plan with all of the team playing their roles. An unexpected standout is how well the junior players seamlessly fit into the structure, in both this game and the Murray Bridge game from a couple of weeks earlier, the casual observer would be stunned to know the ring ins hadn’t played before, such was each of their impacts on the games.

Strathalbyn always provides Hahndorf with a tough contest, and the first 15 minutes of the game was evenly matched. But in the space of 6 minutes, some great through balls from the mid-fielders  through to Fenlon, perhaps lamenting missed opportunities when these two teams last meant, who was on target to give the home team a 3 – 0 advantage mid-way through the first half.

Despite the score advantage, the remainder of the first half was evenly balanced and it would be fair to say, was becoming quite a physical contest resulting in a number of players pulling up sore, including Jye Martin who sadly had to finish his day just before the break. In the 36th minute, after some nice footwork from outside the 18-yard box, Kell struck a sublime kick that sailed over the goal keepers head into the top corner of the net giving Hahndorf a 4-0 half time lead.

With Hahndorf holding the handy lead, Coach Kerr replaced Rock Rayner in goals with Fenlon. Hahndorf hasn’t been able to find a regular keeper so each of the team is having to step up and play their role. Whilst never an easy job, it has been made somewhat easier by the strong defensive line led by the ‘toe cutter’ Weyland who is enjoying a standout season.

Whilst the half time advantage felt reasonably comfortable, Strathalbyn are one of those teams that can turn things around quickly. They have talented players and an imposing defensive line that, it would be fair to say, was able to get under the skin of some of the Hahndorf players, so a win to Hahndorf was still to be earned. An early goal to the Kane train – all aboard! – appeared to deplete the spirit of the visitors and from there Hahndorf were pretty much in control.

With the assassin in goals, Xavier Kell was given more opportunity to attack and was able to add another 3 goals late in the half to give him bragging rights for the day.

The U15’s combination of Martin & Boekel both played great games, with Coach Kerr and the regular players very appreciative of their efforts, with both very close to scoring goals of their own before backing up to play the following game.

In the end, Hahndorf too good on the day with each player doing their bit and doing it well. Strathalbyn tried valiantly all day and will no doubt look to even the ledger in the future.

Mid Fielder Xavier Kell

Toby Boekel

Tyler Weyland

Eddie Hardingham

Dan McArthur