Under 12 Boys – Brisbane City FC (7) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
These two sides met at Kawana in Round 9, a game which Fire won 4 -3. Fire would be looking to build on the hard fought 1 -1 draw at Moreton Bay in their last fixture to keep in touch with City, one place above them in the league table.
Fire kicked off in bright winter sunshine and perfect conditions, but the home side were quickest to settle and put Fire under immediate pressure, Alec Lavender having to make a parried save with the game less than two minutes old, Tanner Mathers clearing the loose ball to concede a corner.
As Fire became more composed they began to play some neat football through the midfield but were doubly unfortunate in the fourth minute when Jett Wouters was on the end a very heavy challenge from the City defence, which left him needing to leave the field to recover. Clearing the ball, City hit a long pass over the Fire defenders and the City striker, appearing to be offside, ran clear to open the scoring in controversial fashion.
Undeterred, Fire immediately took the game to City, some composed distribution from defence by Ryan Tappouras, allowed the Fire midfield to carry the ball forward and Luke Vancam fired just wide in the fifth minute. Lachlan Noyes played a dangerous ball in the City box on eight minutes and the impressive Hayden White was also unlucky on 10 minutes after great link up play between Beppe Rocco, Mark Shaw and White. Fire were still on top but unable to create a chance for the equalizer, Riley Moore was giving another hardworking and determined display in the centre of the Fire midfield.
City forced successive corners after period of pressure midway through the half, before Fire again came close following a driving run by the energetic White, passing to Rocco, who laid the ball back for the lively Vancam to shoot, the City keeper needing to make the save.
In the 20th minute Fire were lucky to not be two down following a corner which Dré Ngaha hacked away from the line, a minute later however City did score with Fire unable to clear the ball from sustained City pressure.
Fire, to their credit, continued with their determined endeavor, Tappouras, and Herbie Allsopp strong in the middle of defence, Ngaha and Mathers working hard at full back. Jeremy Byasse almost threaded a perfect ball to Mark Shaw just before half time but there was just too much weight on the pass and Fire ended the half unlucky to be 2-0 down.
City restarted the game and looked to have put the game beyond Fire within 2 minutes but their goal was ruled out for offside. Not to be deterred the home team made it 3 – 0 on 34 minutes with a simple near post tap in from a corner. On 37 minutes City scored a fourth after intercepting a goal kick and firing past the helpless Lavender in the Fire goal.
In the 40th minute after conceding a free kick on the edge of their penalty area, City hammered in a fifth, high into the top corner.
Fire, now playing for pride, moved man of the match Tappouras and Allsopp into a more advanced positions to stem the flow through midfield.
To their credit Fire continued to press when they could and after forcing a number of corners looked likely to score, Mathers connecting with a header from a Wouters well placed delivery. After only partially clearing another Fire corner, Byasse scored arguably the goal of the game in the 44th minute with a wonderful strike into the top corner from 25 yards.
In the 50th minute City extended their lead, scoring a sixth, with a drive from the edge of the Fire box. In the 55th minute Shaw made another determined run down the left and Allsopp drove a shot at the City keeper from 20 yards. As the game drew to a close Ngaha, always willing, made another defensive clearance and Mathers also refusing to give in, tried to find a way through with another fine pass forward. The hard work could not stop City adding a 7th in the 57th minute, before the games final action saw Fire goalkeeper Lavender injured in a clash with a City striker and another Fire player.
Player of the Match: Ryan Tappouras – calm and composed throughout in defence with some excellent distribution of the ball.
Under 13 Boys – Brisbane City FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (3)
Round 18 Sunshine Coast FC Fire travelled to Brisbane City FC for their second meeting of the season. Our last meeting Sunshine Coast FC Fire were successful with a 6-1 win.
The starting whistle blew and Sunshine Coast FC came out firing, with Samuel Klein passing the ball through to Kane Gibbs and scoring within the first 15 seconds. Fire 1-0
Both teams immediately reset prepared to play a high intensity physical game. Sunshine Coast FC moved the ball confidently, passing the ball through the midfield to switch direction of play and drive forward. Brisbane City FC were strong in their defence shutting down Sunshine Coast FC’s attack.
Sunshine Coast FC held strong in their attacking half. A corner taken by Dimitri Pritchard landed perfectly on the head of Gibbs on the 29th minute to see Sunshine Coast FC take a comfortable lead in the first half. Fire 2-0
Both teams returned to the pitch for the second half with as much hunger and determination as the first.
Brisbane City FC attempted to drive forward with a couple of breaks towards the Sunshine Coast FC goals however; Fire’s midfield and defence held strong to turn the game in their favour.
A foul inside the Brisbane City FC box resulted in a penalty taken by Klein. Brisbane City keeper Khan successfully saved the shot however, Khan moved off his line resulting in a successful retake of the shot by Klein on the 43rd minute. Fire 3-0
Both Sunshine Coast FC and Brisbane City FC continued to remain competitive and physical, working hard to place goals on the board and defend their own goals. Sunshine Coast FC continued their attack until the final whistle blew. Final result Fire 3-0
Player of the Match: Maxx Demerutis
Under 13 Girls – Sunshine Coast FC (2) v SWQ Thunder FC (1)
The match against SWQ was of an exceptionally high standard despite the difficult conditions with the pitch being wet and heavy. The teams were very evenly matched and both sides were trying hard to play thoughtful and team football.
The game ebbed and flowed until the 15th minute when a right sided raid by the Fire ensured some fantastic first time play by Drew Aiken, Maddy Sansby, Lilly Herron The ball was then placed back to Drew Aiken who for the second time in a week drove the ball straight and true into the corner of the net.
The game again settled into a pattern of each team taking turns to attack and defend. The Fire backline of Vicky Holowko, Jenna Wolski, Emily Ferroussat and Macey Edward were all working well together. Some solid tackles by Emily Ferroussat had the opposition looking over their shoulder. Her willingness to get down and dirty on the muddy grounds was great to see.
With about one minute to go Thunder received a free kick outside the box. After some scrambled defence the ball fell to Thunder midfielder Layla Proctor who wasted no time evening the score. The teams went to the break at 1-1 which was an honest reflection of the game.
The start of the second half the girls really piled on the pressure, Ellie Hambly, Maddy Sansby and Drew Aiken really tightened up the midfield and they continued to press the Thunder goal.
In the 45th minute some solid defending by Jenna Wolski ensured an outlet pass hit Maddy Sansby who pushed a perfect through ball to Lilly Herron who hit the afterburners, drove past the Thunder defender and smashed the ball past the Thunder keeper. It was wonderful to see Lilly back herself and her skills and score what was to be the game winning goal.
The introduction of Lily Danger and Sophie Ryan added some spark and some great through balls by both girls gave Fire Striker, Tamika Banks some wonderful opportunities. As is often the case with strikers they make many runs and do tireless work defending from the front.
With about five minutes to go the Fire girls received a wake-up call when a Thunder player struck the crossbar. Quick thinking by defender Vicky Holowko and Drew Aiken ensured the danger was cleared. The most nerve racking part of the game came in the last minute when the Thunder were awarded a penalty.
Dimity Bucciarelli is a wonderful keeper and a great shot stopper. However, the odds are very much with the penalty taker. The Thunder player certainly didn’t hold back and struck a solid shot towards the top left corner of the goal. Dimity Buccarelli moved sharply to her left, stuck out a solid left hand and palmed the ball past the post. With her team mates around her Dimity had definitely made the play of the day.
Thirty seconds later the referee was blowing the full time whistle for a hard fought 2-1 win for the Fire. Congratulations to all the girls who really played some beautiful football and deserved the win.
Under 18 Boys – Gold Coast City FC (10) v Sunshine Coast FC (0)
Saturday morning saw the boys off to Palm Beach for morning match against Gold Coast. Whilst still remaining overcast the skies held back the rain that had been threatening field closures all week.
4’ First shot at target was by Gold Coast from a corner with soft shot to keepers hands from box.
13’ GOAL Gold Coast- A fast break by winger Rutty down their right followed by cross into goal for Rowles to smack home.
14’ Fire first opportunity with a run and cross from Page into goal – saved by keeper.
26’ Fire break threatens down right by Festa crossed to Bath with the shot flying just high of crossbar.
31’ GOAL Gold Coast – A 24 yard shot over the defensive line to slot in top right by Rutty.
32’ GOAL Gold Coast – Short cross deflected by keeper but knocked home from short range by Mackintosh
37’ GOAL Gold Coast – Corner to leaping header in box by defender Jackson to find back of Fire net.
43’ GOAL Gold Coast – Another blistering run by GC #7 down right with cross into goal for hard strike home.
48’ GOAL Gold Coast – Mackintosh nets his hat-trick.
54’ GOAL Gold Coast – Free kick from just outside the 18 yard mark arcs over the wall to strike the crossbar hard and deflect down into goal mouth
57’ GOAL Gold Coast – Mackintosh bags his fifth
63’ GOAL Gold Coast – Cross from right deflected by keeper scooped up by Midfielder Cooper.
72’ GOAL Gold Coast – Mackintosh bags final goal and his sixth for the match.
FINAL SCORE – Gold Coast City FC 10 – Sunshine Coast Fire FC 0
