Under 12 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (0) v Redlands United FC (7)
Round 21 saw Redlands United visit Kawana for the second time this season, and their third meeting the campaign overall. Redlands taking out the previous matches 2 – 6 and 3- 1 respectively.
Despite the overnight rain Sunshine Coast Fire got the game underway on a good playing surface and in the opening minutes looked bright and purposeful, Jett Wouters showing good vision to send a nice ball out to the right flank for Hayden White.
But it was Redlands though who struck first, Fire found guilty of ball watching and allowing a Redlands striker space to score with an unchallenged near post header after just four minutes.
Fire immediately tried to get themselves back on level terms, Riley Moore driving forward, Dré Ngaha, Wouters and Herbie Allsopp all trying to force the play forward for Fire.
After a Fire free kick on six minutes, following a foul on Wouters, Redlands broke quickly. Fortunately for Fire covering defender Kaidin Dawson was strong and committed and did well to minimize the danger and concede a corner.
On eight minutes Redlands extended their lead. After trying several times to create a shooting opportunity in the Fire penalty area, the visitors finally managed to get their shot away and make the score 0-2 with a low angled drive into the far corner.
Again Fire tried to assert their way back into the game, Ryan Tappouras competing well in midfield, passing out to White who’s cross was easily dealt with by the Redlands keeper, with no Fire players pressing into the Redlands penalty area. Fire won themselves a corner in the 11th minute thanks again to the persistence of the hardworking White not giving Redlands time to clear the ball. White was again in the action a minute later but unfortunately over ran the ball down the right hand side. After 15 minutes following another long Redlands clearance they won themselves a corner. Redlands were again allowed time to shoot and unfortunately this was deflected into his own goal by Beppe Rocco to give Redlands a 0-3 lead.
On 18 minutes Redlands almost extended their lead even further when a short goal kick was intercepted but keeper Alec Lavender made the save.
Fire played some nice football down the left had side in the 21st minute, with a good combination of play between Dawson, Wouters and Ngaha. Allsopp also trying to drive play forward again from defence.
Lachlan Noyes cleared another Redlands corner in the 25th minute with a strong header, resulting in a Fire break that Luke Vancam couldn’t quite turn into a shooting opportunity, and, despite their committed efforts, Fire found themselves 0-3 down at the break.
Redlands took the kick off to restart the match, but Fire started positively with Jeremy Byasse making a break from midfield in the 32nd minute to release Moore who’s shot was saved.
A minute later Redlands looked to have put the game beyond Fire when another long ball allowed the Redlands striker fire past Lavender and make the score 0 – 4. Redlands continued to be on top, forcing successive corners and sent another couple of shots just wide, a fierce drive in the 37th minute ripping into the side netting, a standout opportunity.
Fire were struggling to build forward momentum or produce cohesive passing movements, but the determination from Byasse saw him wriggle free of attention in midfield on the 44th minute, he passed out wide to Dawson who’s cross was unfortunately straight at the keeper who comfortably caught the ball.
Shortly after Redlands scored again, this time the unfortunate Noyes turning the ball into his own net from a Redlands shot and sending Lavender the wrong way.
In the 48th minute Tappouras, Byasse and Wouters almost created a chance for Moore but again the Redlands keeper was equal to the task. From the resulting Redlands counter, Fire were forced to concede a defensive throw, taken quickly by Redlands a pass inside allowed them to impressively smash home a sixth from outside the Fire penalty area.
Within two minutes the visitors made it seven with an unchallenged drive from inside the Fire box.
To their credit, Fire continued to play for their pride, Wouters trying to create an opportunity for Rocco in the 54th minute, Rocco again sending over a good cross in the 55th minute that the Redlands defender did well to head clear. Tappouras shooting confidently from distance in the 56th minute and Byasse hitting the post in the last minute after great persistence to win the ball from a Redlands defender to create himself a chance.
Player of the Match: Tanner Mathers
Under 14 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (6) v Redlands United FC (0)
With the Fire short on troops, playing the ever improving Redlands was never going to be an easy task
However it only took 5 minutes for Fire to take the lead. A lovely cross field run by Alex Patterson followed by an intelligent pass, set Toby Evens-Gilham through one on one with the keeper. Gilham finished with ease as he drove the ball past the oncoming keeper.
Fire maintained the pressure and even at this early stage Redlands must have realised they were in for a long day. When they’re in the mood, Fire are virtually unstoppable.
After 13 minutes, a weaving run by Connor Hyder was completed with square ball to Patterson. Patterson hit his shot and curled the ball over the keeper and into the back corner to make it 2-0.
Fire continued to apply pressure. Corne Boshoff continually made light work of his opposite number and often found himself behind the Redlands defensive line. Likewise, Gilham was equally effective on the other wing. The centre of the field was marshalled superbly by the ‘little men’, Hyder, Williams and Smith. The main playmaker for Redlands was never given time on the ball and was hounded continually which never allowed Redlands to find any fluency in their game.
The second half began with a flurry of Fire opportunities. After a stroke of genius from ‘Super Coach’ Carswell, Patterson, playing in the #10 positioned created two early chances that were well saved by the opposing keeper.
On the 40 minute mark Gilham again struck with the goal of the game. He drove down the right wing eluding several players with his pace. A lovely drop of the shoulder allowed him to cut inside and find enough space to shoot with his left foot. The ball curled into the top near corner to extend Fire’s lead to 3-0.
Boshoff wasn’t to be outdone on the other wing. After a great run he played a superb long ball to Gilham whose shot was denied by the keeper. From the ensuing corner the ball dropped nicely for Boshoff who powered it into the back of the net.
Fire were quickly on the score sheet again. Bailey Halls-Tempest played a long ball from a free kick and found the flying Nick Harvey who laid the ball back to Aaron Smith. Smith curled the ball high into the net from distance to make it 5-0
In the dying minutes Fire made it 6-0. Again Harvey used his pace as he met a through ball from Boshoff. Harvey and the keeper tackled on the edge of the 18 yard box. The ball spun into the air towards goal. Bouncing a few yards out, the ball kicked back into the field of play. Man of the moment Gilham was there to meet it and complete an excellent hat trick.
An excellent team performance again. This team continues to excel as it pushes towards the end of the season. Their never say die attitude and willingness to move the ball quickly is a pleasure to watch.
Player of the Match: Toby Evens Gilham – a fantastic hat trick and all round great game. Toby worked incredibly hard off the ball and was devastating while in possession. A great game from a talented utility player.
