Under 12 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (2) v Moreton Bay United FC (2)
This match was the season’s third meeting between the teams, with Fire holding the upper hand after a 1-0 win in Round 7, followed by a 1-1 draw at South Pine in Round 18.
With a clear azure sky overhead, the visitors starting the game kicking left to right, were the first to settle and ensured that Fire right back Luke Vancam was alert from the off, as he needed to make a couple of strong early clearances and tackles. Moreton Bay forced the game’s first corner after 3 minutes, Lachlan Noyes climbing highest to meet the ball with a confident clearing header.
As Fire injected themselves in to the game early, Hayden White pressured the Bay defence to create a half chance for Jett Wouters, further good combinations between Noyes, Ryan Tappouras and White down the right hand side maintained some momentum for the home team. ‘9 Dré Ngaha had a shot on goal which was saved by the visiting keeper. Tappouras drove a shot over the bar a minute later after good support play by Riley Moore. Kaidin Dawson, on the left wing for Fire kept the home team on top with a good run and cross before Herbie Allsopp was required to make a strong tackle to ensure Bay were kept pegged back in the their own half. Vancam, enjoying a strong opening period at right back, again needed to make another good challenge on 12 minutes.
Following a Bay through ball and Fire appealing unsuccessfully for offside, Fire happily conceded the corner.
Deepal Maharaj doing well to intercept a through ball, Ngaha defending well from a Bay free kick before Fire had a chance to relieve some pressure. Good play from Moore sent Dawson free again down the left, this time just overrunning the ball past the byline.
Fire switched play from attacking on the right side to make a concerted pass to Mark Shaw who played to Wouters. With poise and precision Jett finished with a wonderful volley that flew past the Bay keeper into the corner of the net. Great assist by Mark Shaw.
Alert defending from Maharaj denied Bay an opportunity to engineer a comeback before Moore broke for Fire, playing in Shaw who in turn tried to find Wouters but the danger was snuffed out.
Fire started the second half as they finished the first, with the energetic Wouters playing a ball wide for Beppe Rocco to send a cross into the Bay area before Wouters forced a Fire corner. As Bay cleared from the set play they hit a long hopeful diagonal pass from left to right, which sent their player through on goal where he made no mistake to tie the game up 1-1 after 32 minutes.
Bay forced a corner that was comfortably cleared at the near post. Fire won a free kick after a foul on Tappouras but the opportunity was missed, before Fire conceded a second. Another Moreton Bay corner was floated into the Fire box to knock the ball into the net from a couple of yards out.
Moreton Bay had a player yellow carded, penalised following numerous offences of not retreating, and this time, impeding Lavenders clearance.
Allsopp and defensive partner Tanner Mathers were busy making interceptions and strong tackles, Tappouras clearing off the line in the 54th minute after another Bay corner drifted across the Fire area unchallenged.
After Mathers had tried his luck on goal and with time running out, Vancam won a decisive header in midfield in the 57th minute, a catalyst that allowed White and Wouters to combine and put pressure on the Bay defence, the ball broke for Noyes who levelled the game with a low, crisp 10 yard drive. Dawson breaking free on the left and sending a low shot from the edge of the area which the Bay keeper did well to save just as the referee signalled full time.
Fire secured a 2 all draw against Moreton Bay and remains unbeaten by the Bay this season.
Player of the Match: Lachlan Noyes
Under 13 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (3) v Moreton Bay United FC (0)
Round 25 saw the last meeting between Sunshine Coast FC Fire and Moreton Bay Jets for the 2017 season. In each of our previous meetings Sunshine Coast FC Fire has been successful in obtaining the win. However, Moreton Bay Jets always provide tough competition, challenging Sunshine Coast FC. The weather played a significant role in this match with the windy conditions placing pressure on both teams.
Both Sunshine Coast FC and Moreton Bay Jets came out strong competing for the ball and trying to gain the upper hand early. Sunshine Coast FC Fire held strong as Moreton Bay attempted to penetrate Fire’s defensive line. Sunshine Coast FC continued to move the ball, challenging Jet’s defence and on the 25th minute they were awarded a free kick. A quality strike of the ball by Samuel Klein hit the Moreton Bay keeper’s hands and popped into the back of the net.
The second half saw Sunshine Coast FC come out determined to increase the lead while Moreton Bay Jets were determined to place a goal on the board.
Sunshine Coast FC continued to push forward driving towards the goals, applying pressure and intensity in an attempt to break down Moreton Bay’s defence. Jake Rocker ran the ball up the right wing and crossed the ball into the centre where Kyan Bryant met the ball to confidently place it in the back of the net on the 51st minute. Fire 2-0
With increased confidence Sunshine Coast FC continued to move the ball around and push towards goals taking a number of strikes towards goal. A combination of passes between Flynn Faulkner, Rocker and Harrison Whitelaw resulted in a goal by Whitelaw on the 64th minute. Fire 3-0
With a confident lead Sunshine Coast FC continued to remain defensively strong ensuring Moreton Bay Jets remained scoreless to see out the match with a 3-0 win.
Player of the Match: Joshua Kacperski
Under 13 Girls – The Gap (2) v Sunshine Coast FC (3)
As with any game, this game against The Gap was extremely important to both teams. The girls took the field on a cool afternoon with winds gusting to 30-40km/h. It was obvious to all that the conditions were going to be challenging for both teams.
The game started well and both teams had chances. In the 10th minute, the midfield of Maddy Sansby and Drew Aiken worked together to get the ball to Tamika Banks on the right wing. Tamika skillfully went past her defender and crossed the ball which rebounded off the crossbar. Fire left winger Grace Shelley was on the spot and on target and volleyed the ball from the crossbar into the back of The Gap net.
Five minutes later one of The Gap players lofted the ball towards the Fire goal. Keeper Dimity Bucciarelli got her finger tips to the ball. She turned and chased the ball as it rolled towards the goal. A last ditch dive and a strong fist looked like the ball was sent from the goal. However, a decision by a sideline official who deemed the ball had crossed the line ensured the goal was counted and the score 1-1. Although Bucciarelli was sure the ball hadn’t crossed the line she and the entire Fire team accepted the decision of the officials and got on with the game. The girls displayed wonderful sportsmanship and attitude. Five minutes later they were tested again as the referee deemed defender Jenna Wolski had handled the ball in the box. The decision was definitely one that could have gone either way and yet again the girls all displayed excellent sportsmanship and accepted the decision of the official.
The girls went to the half time break 2-1 down but the half time talk was positive and the girls all pledged to fight hard for the game. The introduction at half time of Macey Edward and Lilli Danger changed the game dramatically. After a sustained amount of pressure the girls received a corner. Drew Aiken stepped up and struck the ball over. One of The Gap defenders sent the ball back to Aiken who steadied and struck the ball with her right foot. The ball sailed over the crowded box, struck the back post and nestled in the net. It was just the tonic the girls needed and they were definitely on the attack.
Ten minutes later a through ball by Maddy Sansby was collected by Tamika Banks and she supplied the perfect cross for Grace Shelley to collect her brace. At 3-2, Vicky Holowko rallied her defence of Jenna Wolski, Annabelle Campbell and Emily Ferroussat and they ensured The Gap were never going to score to draw the game.
Congratulations to all the girls who really displayed wonderful sportsmanship and a never say die attitude to once again come from behind to take a well-deserved win.
