Hyundai Queensland State League – Grand Final
Brisbane Strikers v Sunshine Coast Fire
Saturday, September 11, 2010 – Perry Park, Albion
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
The Sunshine Coast Fire can now irrefutably lay claim to being the most successful HQSL team, after toughing out a 1-0 Grand Final triumph over the Brisbane Strikers to claim a Premiership/Championship double, the second in the club’s three year history.
Tyson Holmes’ outstanding strike just seconds into the fixture left the Strikers reeling, and the Fire showed sheer determination to shut out the remaining 89 minutes and record a famous 1-0 victory.
It was to be the third successive Grand Final loss for the Brisbane Strikers, who controlled most of the possession but failed to pierce the dogged defence of the Fire.
In front of a huge, pro-Brisbane crowd at Perry Park, the Strikers were left shellshocked when the Fire struck the front within seconds of the opening whistle.
After the Fire gained possession in their attacking half, Shaun Blackman held the ball well before laying off to the advancing Tyson Holmes just outside the penalty area. Holmes took possession and hit an unstoppable drive into the top corner, leaving Strikers keeper Seb Usai grasping at air.
It had taken only 40 seconds for the Final to burst into life. Robbed of the opportunity to ease into the contest, the Strikers set about looking for a quick response. In the second minute, strong defensive work from Greig Henslee denied Michael Angus as he shaped to shoot from close range.
Six minutes in and the Strikers continued to press, as Brisbane skipper Chay Hews delivered a cross from the right wing towards Matt Thurtell, who curved a good effort wide of the right post from 18 yards.
As was the case in the Major Semi-Final a fortnight ago, the Strikers found themselves behind on the scoreboard despite having the edge in general play, with the Fire fighting doggedly to ensure it stayed that way. Ryan Delahunty had an opportunity when Usai mishit a clearance towards him, but his shot towards goal from considerable distance lacked accuracy.
As the first half wore on Brisbane had more opportunities to find the net, and looked to have done the job when Sean Burke anticipated a long cross and volleyed towards the bottom corner, but Antony Hall pulled off a class save with his foot to deny Burke.
Midway through the first half, Holmes delivered a free-kick on the right flank into the danger area, and a defensive header fell to Jai Cross, who lifted a volley over the bar with his left foot.
Soon after, Thurtell and Angus combined to create a chance for the Strikers, with Hall again well- placed to deal with Thurtell’s close range shot. A cross from Matt Christensen on the left flank also caused some problems as it curled towards the top corner, but went narrowly over the bar.
In attack for the Fire chances were less plentiful, as an early cross from Aaron Brazendale found Blackman, who was dispossessed by the last defender.
Half-time came with the Fire grimly holding on to the narrowest of leads, thanks to dogged defending from Greig Henslee and Alex Henderson in the centre of defence, as well as James Stinson and Sam Knight on the flanks.
With the Fire’s supporters on edge, the second half kicked off. It didn’t take long for Brisbane to get into an attacking rhythm, and a classy through ball from Chay Hews to Michael Angus looked promising for the Strikers, but Angus was pressured into shooting wide. Minutes later, the industrious Sean Burke connected well with a close-range header, but Hall saved easily as he looked increasingly assured between the sticks.
After weathering the storm early in the second half, the Sunshine Coast fashioned a few opportunities themselves. On 55 minutes, Delahunty collected a long ball on the left flank and raced up the byline, before shooting high of goal from an acute angle. Delahunty was again involved soon after, when his far-post cross almost found Blackman, but the sliding skipper couldn’t get a vital touch on the ball.
With full time approaching and some tired legs on Perry Park, the Strikers looked to be growing impatient, as substitute Reagan Alder was well off target with a shot from 30 yards,
With 10 minutes standing between the Fire and the Championship, Corey Towle and Chris Bacon were brought on to replace Ryan Delahunty and Jai Cross. Towle was involved immediately when a cross from Brazendale fell to him inside the penalty area, but Usai dropped well to make a save.
The clock ticked away and the Fire persisted with holding possession and getting players behind the ball, as the Strikers switched to a three-man forward line. With the 90 minutes almost over, an ambition volley from Myles Carseldine went off target for the Strikers.
After three minutes of additional time, the full time whistle sounded to spark scenes of relief and jubilation for the Sunshine Coast Fire. The triumph secured a Premiership/Championship double for the team, a massive achievement with contributions from the more mature heads as well as the team’s younger contingent, who have progressed enormously since the start of the season.
Coach Aston Bell paid tribute to a season’s hard graft from his players, with the spoils of victory plain to see.
“When you look back 12 months we’ve come a long way, but the faces haven’t changed much. All that has changed is the quality of football, the desire, the determination and the mateship, which is what the Fire is all about, and I couldn’t be more delighted for the players. We showed a lot of resolve, it was just an outstanding effort – a gutsy effort.”
Antony Hall was named man-of-the-match for his outstanding performance in goal, and Bell was full of praise.
“He’s been fantastic in the back end of the season, he adds a lot of stability to the team and they know they can rely on him. I know he gets a little annoyed at having to make so many saves, he gave the boys a blast at half time for giving them the ball too easy – he stood tall, but I hate to single anyone out because they all gave their 110% tonight.”
The 2010 Premiership/Championship double solidifies Sunshine Coast Football Club’s reputation as the most successful team in the QSL’s three-year history. With several new teams likely to enter the fray for 2011, the Fire will no doubt be looking to remain at the top of the heap.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC – 1 (Holmes, 1)
Brisbane Strikers – 0
