After a season of challenges, the Fire Under 18 Boys secured the inaugural NPL U18s Premiership in a tense match against in-form SWQ Thunder.
Coach Paul Arnison kept preparation for the match low-key so as to minimise the pressure on the team, but said the boys had a few nerves at the start of the game.
“The tension showed in our game (during the first half) … we kept missing chance after chance, picking the wrong option – I think it was nerves and the importance of the game.”
The Fire went in to half-time drawing nil all, and Arnison knew the half-time team talk would play an important role in calming the nerves.
“I told them, ‘we just need to keep passing the ball simply and move. Once we get one goal we know we will get four or five.’”
The Fire returned to the pitch with conviction and Captain Steven Lawrance soon opened the scoring with a great solo effort; he picked up the ball at the half way line and drove forward to beat five defenders and slot in a goal.
“You could see how much that goal meant to the boys, they started to relax into the game,” Arnison said.
The Fire soon doubled its tally as Brandon Lee put home a ‘wonder’ goal, picking up the ball on the left-hand corner of the box, beating two players and rocketing a shot to bend past a defender and the goalkeeper into the top corner of the net.
Josh Ives beat the Thunder defenders to score from a tight angle, giving the Fire a comfortable 3-0 lead.
‘Goal machine’ Aiden Little sealed he Fire’s win after some great work on the wing from Ryan McMaster.
Arnison said he could not be more proud of the hard work his team had put in throughout the season, including those players who had left earlier in the season; Jack Johnson, Luke Maclean and Elliot Marsay (who will be returning for the finals).
Sunshine Coast FC Technical Director Kevin A’herne Evans said securing the Premiership was a great achievement.
“This team has worked through challenges throughout the season, and winning the Premiership has been a reward for all the effort they have put in,” he said.
“Coach Paul Arnison and the players can be extremely proud of the dedication they have shown in their first season.”
The Under 18s will now continue training ahead of the finals.
One Response
We are so proud of our boys on their great win. We are sorry that we were not there to see this great occasion. We are so proud of them and the coach for their great effort threw out the season.