Match report

Match report

Hahndorf under 17’s hosted the Strathalbyn Strikers on a warm Saturday morning. Strathalbyn won the toss and elected to head up hill for the first half, leaving Hahndorf to kick off the game. The game was quite evenly poised with both teams holding an even possession and taking numerous shots at goal, with Hahndorf’s Toby Boekel working wonders between the sticks making some magnificent saves. Hahndorf’s continuous forward momentum and pressure in the midfield, consisting of Romaldi, Gibbs, McArthur, and J.Martin eventually paid off when a lovely ball was played through Strathalbyn’s defense, allowing Xavier Kell put the ball in the back of the net. Strathalbyn answered back late in the half with two quick goals, and ending off the half with a 2-1 lead over Hahndorf.

The second half got underway with Strathalbyn kicking off, with both teams continued to hold even possession of the ball, with contributions from D.Martin, Panich, and Hahndorf’s midfield, they were trying everything they could playing the ball up both sides of the pitch, where finally Hahndorf’s Kyle Fenlon was able to slot the ball past Strath’s keeper to level the scores. However, it wasn’t long until Strathalbyn was able to make a breakthrough, answering back with a goal in the matter of a couple of minutes. The game continued to play out until Hahndorf’s Xavier Kell was awarded a penalty after an incursion by Strathalbyn’s defense, and Kell was able to put it away. Once levelling the scores once again at 3 a piece late in the game. Hahndorf’s Nielsen in goal and the defensive line of Hardingham, Boekel, and Aylen, was held together well by Josh Rayner, denying any more opportunities on goal for Strathalbyn leaving the match to end in a draw.