Sunshine Coast Fire v Football Superstars.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010.
The Sunshine Coast Fire have come from behind to claim a 3-1 win over the Football Superstars in an exhibition match at Stockland Park.
The match was played as part of Fox 8’s “Football Superstar” program, where a group of players from across Australia aged between 16 and 21 compete for the major prize of a contract with the Brisbane Roar.
After claiming a draw against the Brisbane Strikers in a similar exhibition game, the quality of the Superstars team could not be denied.
However, it was the Sunshine Coast with the better of the opening exchanges, as a quick break down the left and an early cross found Shaun Blackman, who headed just wide.
Moments later, James Stinson had an opportunity as he raced along the byline, but his final ball was cleared well by the Superstars team.
Ryan Delahunty then outpaced his marker and moved in on goal, but the keeper did well to smother the loose ball. Under-19 keeper Sam Nickolls deputised for the Superstars team, who were without a goalkeeper for the match.
The individual skill of the Superstars players was starting to have an influence, and the Superstars were gifted a chance when Stinson missed a clearance in the right of the penalty area. Luckily for the Fire, Antony Hall was alive to the danger and dealt with the ball.
The Superstars almost had an opener after their winger cut in from the left and shot wide from distance.
Although the Fire had the better of possession, the clean passing football that has been a hallmark of the team this season wasn’t quite coming together. Midway through the first half, the Superstars went ahead when a through ball slipped through Anthony Hall’s fingers and into the path of a Superstar’s player who made no mistake from a few yards out.
Eager to get the match back on level terms, the Fire pressed for an equaliser. A well-weighted pass by Joel Dempster down the left flank found Ryan Delahunty, who went close from the edge of the area.
As the half drew to a close, Delahunty ran onto a through ball between two flat-footed defenders and moved in on goal. One-on-one with Nickolls, Delahunty steadied on his left foot, found the corner of the net and levelled the scores.
Delahunty was involved again in the next attack, flashing a shot from distance inches wide of the right post.
In the dying seconds of the half, the Superstars went close to regaining the lead after a well-placed free kick was cleared six yards out. At the back, Greig Henslee showed his experience and kept control of the team’s backline.
The half ended with the scores 1-1, and coach Aston Bell took the opportunity to give as many youth team players as possible a chance to play in the second half.
The first chance of the half fell to Sam Knight, whose low shot looked destined to score, but ricocheted off the heel of James Verdin and out of play.
The Fire then proceeded to control the game, and looked certain to gain the upper hand sooner rather than later. It was Shaun Blackman who eventually gave the Fire the lead, after getting a vital touch on a cross from the left flank and flicking the ball past the keeper.
As the Sunshine Coast found themselves in the familiar position of leading a match, more and more chances to add to the lead were produced. The Superstars were finding it difficult to deal with the presence of Blackman, particularly from set-pieces.
The Fire took advantage of this and established a 3-1 lead midway through the second half, when a pinpoint corner from Joel Dempster landed on Blackman’s foot at the far-post. Blackman connected sweetly with the volley from close range for a two goal advantage.
As the second-half wore on, the Superstars team gained some of the momentum back and carved out some genuine chances. After narrowly missing with a shot from long-range, the Superstars next chance came with a clean break down the right flank. A low cross found their striker six yards out, but Antony Hall pulled off a superb reflex save to keep the ball out and make up for his uncharacteristic error in the first half.
Although the well-organised Superstars team kept pressing for a second goal, their efforts went unrewarded and the final whistle blew for a 3-1 victory to the Sunshine Coast Fire.
The Fire had only a short break between matches after playing in Cairns on the weekend, and will play again on Sunday in the QSL.
Coach Aston Bell was happy with the result, but felt the team’s performance for much of the first half wasn’t up to standard.
“I was a bit disappointed with our performance in the first half, which I told the team at half time. But we came out and played the way we know we can play in the second half, our ball movement was of a high tempo, and for the first twenty minutes there they really didn’t touch us. We actually finished the game with a lot of our youth team out on the pitch, which was a nice opportunity for them, and I was pleased with their showing. None of them let me down; they all did themselves proud tonight.”
The Fire play again on Sunday afternoon in Round 9 of the Hyundai Queensland State League, when they take on the Queensland Academy of Sport at Stockland Park’s Western Fields. Kickoff is at 4pm on May 23, with the match preceded by the Under-19’s at 2pm.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC – 3 (Delahunty, Blackman (2))
Football Superstars – 1
