Under 13 Girls – Western Pride FC (3) v Sunshine Coast FC (2)
For the first time in the season the girls tasted defeat. Undoubtedly, the first half performance of the girls was clearly not up to the usual standard. Every fifty-fifty ball was won by the Pride and it looked as if Fire were intimidated by the physical size of some of the Pride players. It was not surprising that the Pride went into the half time break with a 2-0 lead.
Once again the half time talk was an open and honest affair and the challenge was set out “win the second half”. There were some obvious statements reminding the girls they all have two arms and legs and they are all talented players. The girls took the field for the second half and they looked like a totally different outfit.
Within 10 minutes the girls were back at 1-2 when a well delivered throw-in from Macey Edward was not controlled by a Pride player. The loose ball was pounced on by Maddy Sansby who hit a well-placed shot passed the keeper. From then it was an all-out attack and at times it seemed unbelievable that the ball didn’t end up in the back of the Pride net. An amazing header from centre back Vicky Holowko from a perfectly hit corner by Tamika Banks stuck the keeper. Nine times out of ten that hits the back of the net.
As is often the case, when teams are pressing for the win they are often caught out. An amazing run down the right and a wonderful finish from the Pride winger put the girls back on their heels and the score was 1-3. However, the girls never gave up and an outlet midfield pass was collected by Tamika Banks and crossed into the path of Grace Shelley. As usual, Grace made no mistakes and the ball hit the back of the net. At 2-3 the girls simply ran out of time. However, they had done what was asked of them, “won the second half”. Once again the girls played the entire game with the bare 11 players. This has happened a few times this season and at some stage it was going to be an issue.
Under 18 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (1) v Brisbane City FC (4)
Sunday morning saw the sun shining on Sunshine Coast Stadium contrary to the predicted heavy rain that had closed several venues the previous day. The Fire boys knew they were up against a tough competitor with City coming off a 5 game winning streak.
6’ – City attack Fires’ goal with first attempt luckily offside.
9’ – Fire commence their attack with a fine solo run by Ward down left wing being shutdown close to the City goal line
11’ – City shot on goal safely taken by keeper Morrison
14’ – Nice run by Rompel down right wing, following some determined work by Fire midfield, but unable to get the cross in before tackle.
15’ – City threaten again in Fire 6 yard box but cleared by some fine defence from Brown.
16’ – City continue with shots at goal – The first shooting high over crossbar, the second well cleared by Morrison.
18’- Free kick taken by Page from halfway line driven deep into City penalty area to be punched clear by keeper. A quick counter attack followed but was shutdown close to Fire goal by some good defence by Harvey and Dawson.
20’ – City punish Fire goals with multiple shots all saved by some courageous work from keeper Morrison and the Fire defensive line.
35’ Goal City – Huston receives a Yellow card for trip on City’s Mikkola just outside of 16 yard line. The resultant free kick manages to get past the Fire wall to go low left into the net.
38’ – Foul on Festa on City 18 yard line. Free kick taken by Huston flies just high of crossbar.
43’ – Foul on Platz during attacking run down left wing. Free kick taken by Dawson from 25m out into City goal to be saved by keeper.
44’ – City cross into Fire goals with Morrison just getting hand on enough to deflect onto the woodwork. The loose ball was then cleared of danger by some nice work by Ingram
49’ Goal City – Second half and we saw some more great saves by Fires’ keeper before City finally managed to break through at the 49’ mark with a through ball to a short cross before finish by Mikkola
64’ – Fire threaten with long pass from Dawson to Robertson to attack in penalty box but cleared by City defence.
65’ – Great save again by Morrison in 1 v 1 with City attacker.
68’ Goal City – A strong clearance by Brown from an initial strike is quickly rebounded into goal by City’s Daly.
80’ Goal Fire – Some fine teamwork by Robertson and Festa 12 yards in front of goal opened up City’s defence enough for Festa to slip through 1v1 with keeper, and casually knock one home low and to the left.
89’ Goal City – Fire defence hesitated just long enough waiting for an offside call that wasn’t to eventuate for the City attacker to push through for a 1 v 1 with our keeper. Morrison receives a Yellow card as he attempted to shut down the attack, and the following penalty manages to find the net resulting in the final score of the game.
