Under 12 Boys
Redlands United FC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (4)
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Under 13 Boys
Redlands United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast Fire (5)
The Sunshine Coast Fire in this first against seventh encounter were looking to avenge their earlier slip up against a Redlands United team, who took the first points off the Fire this season.
Fire started the game well with some excellent combination play, moving the ball quickly from defence to the midfield and setting up some good early attacks, which was great viewing particularly on a dry, dusty, uneven surface. Fire were rewarded early on for their high tempo play when an intelligent pass inside from Luke Varga on the left wing was met by Harry Arnison on the edge of the box, whose first time left foot shot into the top corner was too good for the Redlands’ keeper. Redlands attempted to combat Fire’s play by operating a four-man midfield, however the Fire midfield were too strong and kept the pressure on a Redlands team, who were more focused on defending rather than looking for goals. Just before the half hour, Fire were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Arnison stepped up and curled his shot past the wall into the bottom right hand corner to take a two nil lead into half time.
Fire started the second half where they had left off, dominating all areas of the pitch. The Fire defence were playing relaxed assured football passing confidently amongst themselves and then setting up the midfield to move the ball forward. Within two minutes of the restart, Fire had a free kick just outside the penalty area. This time Sam Fleming stepped up to brilliantly lift the ball over the Redlands wall and into the roof of the net for his first goal of the season. Fire continued to press the Redlands defence and were awarded another edge of the box free kick. Arnison resumed free kick responsibilities and drove his shot past the Redlands keeper into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to complete his hat trick, making the score four-nil. The fifth and final goal on 62 minutes was a carbon copy of the fourth with Arnison converting yet another free kick.
With the game petering out for a comfortable win for the Fire there was a late dramatic twist in the final minute. A tired challenge by Ewan Gordon on a Redlands striker was harshly adjudged to have taken place in the penalty area. Making in his debut in goal, stand-in keeper, Brodie Boyce now suddenly had some work to do, having previously had only a cameo role in goal. The Redlands player stepped up and hit his penalty right, but Boyce was down quickly to save. However, three Fire players had wandered into the box too soon so the referee instructed for the penalty to be retaken. The retaken penalty was hit to the same spot and Boyce was there again to deny Redlands a closing goal.
Player of the Match: Harry Arnison – excellent all round performance, good on the ball, strong decisive tackling and four great goals.
Under 13 Girls
Peninsula Power FC (0) v Sunshine Coast Fire (0)
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Under 14 Boys
Redlands United FC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (2)
With only three games left in the fixtures, Fire needed to play smart and controlled football in order for them to maintain their second place standing on the ladder.
In comparison to last week, Fire showed no urgency and seemed content with letting Redlands dominate the play.
In the 2nd minute, Ryan O’Connor was left with room to run up the midfield and had a shot straight at Fire GK Kurt Moore-Barnard who deflected the shot.
Redlands were taking the play to the Fire and at times the team looked flat footed and disinterested in attacking the ball. Harrison Hooper was working hard in defence and Budd Baublys was again brilliant in defending and then driving the ball forward plus lifting to win headers.
In the 23rd minute, Mackenar Bradfield intercepted the ball after a play-out by Redlands defence and he played the ball on for Daniel Cuttler to finish into goal. (0-1)
The rest of the first half consisted mainly of scrappy play with free kicks being awarded to both sides. Fire was being too generous with giving away possession and no communication saw the team lose their shape and this allowed Redlands to carve up the midfield on a number of occasions.
The majority of the second half was similar to the first with Fire allowing Redlands to create opportunities and put Fire defence under unnecessary pressure.
Budd Baublys was again taking the challenge to Redlands and after making a solid run; he tapped the ball to Owen Brader who took a shot from 30 yards out and the ball sailed over the keeper’s head and into the top of goal. (0-2)
Instead of lifting, Fire seemed complacent and over the next 20 minutes. Redlands dominated and the majority of the play was in Redlands’ third.
GK Nathan Foster made a great save in the 57th minute when a shot from Byron McLeod swung in and he was forced to reach back and deflect the ball across goal for a corner. Redlands created several chances and were left with room to move in the 18 yard box which resulted in a 1v1 with GK Foster that was deflected, two smother saves and several bouncing through balls that were cleaned up by the Fire keeper over the next ten minutes.
However Redlands could not be denied. After a ball was crossed across goal to an unmarked player, GK Foster came out for a 1v1 and the ball was cut to the side of the six-yard box and slotted into the bottom corner for Redlands’ first goal of the game. (1-2)
Even though Harrison Bowen received a Yellow Card in the 64th minute for his second warning and holding onto a shirt, Fire finally found their feet and played their best football of the whole game in the last six minutes. Kaelan Debbage was keeping the defence busy with his crosses and had a few shots at goal and some nice combination plays nearly paid off. However, Fire would be denied another goal, ending the game 1-2 to Fire.
Player of the Match: Budd Baublys
Under 15 Boys
Redlands United FC (2) v Sunshine Coast Fire (2)
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Under 15 Girls
Peninsula Power FC (0) v Sunshine Coast Fire (1)
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Under 16 Boys
Redlands United FC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (1)
A win today would see the Fire take maximum points for the season from the last placed Redlands, a task made more difficult with Fire down to only one substitute due to a number of players away sick.
In mild but sunny conditions at the late afternoon kick off, Fire started brightly with a good possession-based game. Redlands had shown their intentions early with their first possession being pumped long in behind the Fire defence.
In the 8th minute from a defensive corner, Josh Wall released Josh Nisbet with an early throw out and Nisbet’s good first touch put Jack Bowen into space behind the Redlands defence, only to see a covering defender drill the ball out for a Fire throw in.
Long range chances fell to Ollie Blackmore and Bowen but neither found the target.
Fire continued their domination of possession and Redlands were having difficulty getting out of their own half.
The Fire midfield was enjoying more space as Redlands held off in contrast to the high pressing of Olympic and Strikers of previous weeks, but Fire were unable to create many clear chances at the top of the crowded box.
In the 19th minute James Beckman turned his ankle in a sandy patch in the middle of a field which was in poor condition late season.
The game turned quickly in the 20th minute, despite Fire’s dominance; Redlands made a rare break down the right of the Fire’s defence and scored completely against the run of play.
Fire had to reshuffle their defence as the hobbling Beckman went off for treatment and Nick Kirkpatrick dropped from the attack to central defence to fill the hole. If Beckman was unable to return it meant Fire had no substitutes.
Redlands found energy from the goal and were able to get away with a much more physical style of play.
In the 25th minute Blackmore dropped a free kick, from outside the box on the left, deep at the far post, but a stretching Bowen could not make contact.
The best chance of the half for the Fire came to Abe Reeves after a good build up from midfield with a number of passes. Aiden Ward delivered a cross from the left but Reeves could only steer his shot over the bar.
Redlands by now were sitting very deep allowing Fire possession in the middle third and trying to catch Fire on the break again.
Fire started the second half as they had played for most of the first half, building pressure on the Redlands defence. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 47th minute when Reeves accelerated passed the Redlands defenders on the right and crossed the ball into the box. Redlands failed to clear the danger and the ball came to Kobe Fuller just inside the box and he slotted home a low hard shot inside the left post to make it 1-1.
Back on level terms Fire were looking to convert their possession advantage into a winning goal. The longer the game went on, however the Redlands’ defence became more desperate and Fire lacked the composure to construct a goal as they mounted wave after wave of attacks, winning numerous corners, but unable to find that elusive goal.
After treatment, Beckman returned to the field with his ankle strapped.
Fire peppered the Redlands’ goal and the tension was mounting as the result became more important as the standard of play was dropping away. Fire created a number of chances each of which could have been the match winner and Redlands cleared their danger zone with a combination of sliced hacks away and desperate defending.
Despite their dominance Fire had to settle for a draw.
Player of Match: Kobe Fuller
Under 18 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire (3) v Brisbane City FC (1)
The Sunshine Coast began the game with Luke Devitt and First Team Player Jacob Fulluck combining to work an opening at goal. Moments later a Brisbane City killer pass between the two centre backs lead to a chance at goal. Aaron Smith couldn’t save a clinical finish and Brisbane City went a goal up.
Minutes later Brisbane City doubled the lead, a quick free kick in behind lead to a chance from a tight angle and strong finish beat Smith at his near post. Brisbane City chances kept coming in the likes of a volley, cutback in the box and a long shot.
Fulluck found the back of the net after cross from the left wing by Jordan Lloyd. Brisbane City scored their third of the game minutes after Sunshine Coast scoring, a Brisbane City striker was allowed time in the box to dribble and place his shot into the back of the net. Ten minutes before half-time Rhyan Scriggins was sent off for an altercation with a Brisbane City defender.
A reinvigorated Sunshine Coast team started the half on the front foot with combination play in midfield between Sean de Chastel, Devitt and Fulluck eventually testing the Brisbane City goalkeeper from long range. Substitutes in the likes of Cameron Nairn, Jordan Vieira, Sean Pateman and Isaac Watson for the likes of Jed Zanos, de Chastel, Glen Morris and Kelton Scriggins respectively. Brisbane City saw a second red card for two bookable offences, however multiple chances and patient build-up play was not enough to trouble the Brisbane City goalkeeper.
Player of the Match: Glen Morris
