Under 12 Boys – Redlands United FC (2) v Sunshine Coast FC (5)
Fire started well with some quick play and nice touches. Sam Klein easily put away Fire’s first goal in the 2nd minute. There was a quick restart by Redlands but Josh Whisker put a nice touch on the ball to Klein who got his second goal in the 3rd minute. Fire pushed forward straight from the kick off and Nathan Weckert put a well-placed half volley to the back net in the 6th minute. An error in the 18 yard box in the 18th minute by Fire and Redlands counter attacked and scored their first goal.
A Redlands winger made a quick run down the left wing drove to goal and beat Fire’s keeper in the 23rd minute. A mistake by Redlands’ backs resulted in an own goal in the 28th minute. 4-2 going into halftime.
The second half started with some scrappy play the first 10 minutes. A Fire free kick from 20 metres out was put away by Kane Gibbs for Fire’s 5th goal in the 43rd minute to close out the scoring and come away with a win.
Player of the Match: Sam Klein
Under 13 Boys – Redlands United FC (7) v Sunshine Coast FC (7)
Fire started and played with great team confidence, their passes were fast and accurate. The combinations moving the ball around the park and putting Redlands under pressure from the get go.
It was obvious that Jayden Emery was glad to weeks of recovery be on the park after many from injury, he won the ball in Fire’s box, passed it onto Jake Ellenberger, who pushed it through the mid field to Alex Patterson. Patterson shot a quick ball out to Jake Debbage, who then weaved through the defence, chipping the keeper, the first goal at 2 minutes.
Everyone was displaying determination and enthusiasm – a great combination starting from Jacob Lombardo, on to Matt Gaske, a quick 1-2 with Patrick Simpson, then on to Patterson which resulted in a free kick. Another precision shot on target taken by Simpson, was only just tipped over the crossbar by the keeper. The corner was cleared to nearly half way, where a zealous Ellenberger returned it with interest into the top left corner of the net.
Excellent combinations and relentless attack, caused the error by the Redlands defence. A penalty awarded for a hand ball in the area, calmly and accurately taken by Jake Debbage – 3-0.
Some more great work down out of defence with Jack Williams on to Patrick Swindles, on to Debbage who slotted another in the middle of the net at the 12 minute mark.
Fire continued to outperform the opposition, with several attempts coming from Patterson, all from great build up play involving every player on the park.
At the 18 minute mark, an attempt on goal by Gaske, taking the keeper out of play, landed in the path of Patterson whose shot was only just cleared off the line by a Redlands defender. The corner, taken by Debbage, was sent into the pack where a leaping Lombardo nodded the 5th goal past the keeper.
A free kick was awarded to Redlands for a hand ball, but the U12’s keeper, Ben was up to the task and pulled off a great save to deny Redlands their first.
The referees caused some confusion by calling for half time at 30 minutes but play continued and although Fire had some chances, it was Redlands who finally got one in the net, right at 35 minutes.
The second half continued with great play and some chances, a goal coming at 47 minutes from a free kick by Aaron Smith.
A minute later, Redlands sent a long ball from the kick off to the left winger, who gave Ben no chance and netted their 2nd. Again from the kick off, a long ball to the left winger who wasn’t shut down and another sails over the reach of our keeper. From a great build up, Redlands with an easy tap in resulted in another goal to Redlands.
Five minutes later, a 5th goal, then a 6th, then unbelievably, a 7th – that was 6 goals in 15 minutes.
A minute later, a determined Patterson fired the final goal of the day into the back of the net, with gusto. Taking the ball on his chest 25 yards out, Patterson volleyed the ball into the top right corner.
The final 5 minutes saw no more goals but not from lack of trying.
Players of the Match: Liam MacMillan & Patrick Swindles. Both outside backs displayed a very high level of skill and determination. On several occasions both players overlapped their wingers to create excellent attacking opportunities. They played a part in some slick passing combinations that saw Fire move the ball quickly up the park.
Under 13 Girls – Moreton Bay United FC (2) v Sunshine Coast FC (7)
Fire started with a goal after just 2 minutes, the ball played from the right back Amelie down the line to Jordyn Weckert who ran the ball, and then took a good strike to hit the back of the net.
Fire held good possession and 10 minutes into the game Fire received a corner which was taken by Weckert, who delivered a great corner in the box. The Moreton Bay goalkeeper hit the ball out and Courtney Brunner was there to finish, making the score now 2-0. Moreton Bay hit back with a run from their Striker straight up the middle.
Emily had the ball, switching the play from the left side of the field to cross a great ball over to find Weckert on the far right side running into the box to score in the corner in the 18th minute.
With Fire leading 3-1, Audrey Upston made great a run down the right side, to then cross the ball in the box for Courtney and to score and make it 4-1.
With only 5 minutes to go in the 1st half, Fire received a free kick for a Moreton Bay player being offside. Sommer Jordan took the free kick, which went up and over the Moreton Bay defenders and found space for Upston to run the ball into the box and finish in the left corner.
Moreton Bay were the first to score in the 2nd half after 5 minutes. Fire had some great strikes in the 2nd half, but they were kept out by Moreton Bay’s new goalkeeper for the 2nd half. Fire hit back when Emily had a shot, the ball came off a Moreton Bay defender and Brunner was in a good position to finish and make the score now 6-1.
With only 7 minutes to go to the end of the game, Jordan took the ball up through the middle of the field and hit the ball from outside the 18 yard box to strike the ball over the goalkeeper’s head and land the ball into the back of the net.
Player of the Match: Tamika Banks
Under 14 Boys – Redlands United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (3)
Both teams started well with attacking moves at both ends of the pitch.
Fire had an early opportunity at three minutes with a free kick 25m out. Jack Beardsley struck it well, around the wall and on target but well saved but the Redlands keeper.
Fire were rewarded at five minutes, an angled cross to the right wing on the half way line to Brodie Boyce who started to drive forward down the right wing, he then saw Corey Gibbs unmarked off the far post, showed great decision making sending the early ball, Gibbs had a bit of work to do with one defender and the keeper to beat and eventually put it away for a great start, 1-0 up after five minutes.
The difference in the first 10 minutes was the Fire defence, Rory Stenhouse, Ezi Hawkins and Josh Croft were all handling the pressure very well, getting the ball off their opposite number and calmly playing out from the back to start again each time.
Redlands were very pushy and gave away a few free kicks during the next 10 minutes including a yellow card following a blatant push on Hawkins.
Hawkins and Stenhouse had lots to do as the Redlands big strong #13 kept attacking down their left wing.
Fire were rewarded again at 20 minutes, after some good lead up work up the right wing between Hawkins and Varga. Varga sent in the perfect cross to Boyce on the near post, who headed it straight in right beside the upright, to the surprise of the Redlands keeper. Fire up 2-0.
Fire kept the pressure on, with a number of moves up the right wing with good crosses in, Gibbs on the far post looked like he might get his second on more than one occasion.
Beardsley kept everyone entertained when caught on the goal line by two defenders, almost got through with a rainbow flick over the heads of the two dazzled defenders.
At 34 minutes the large Redlands #13 did another move down the left wing, Hawkins was sprinting shoulder to shoulder with him and was brought down again, landing heavily this time, and unfortunately breaking his collarbone. Hawkins was in a lot of pain and was very brave as he waited, assisted by the first aid lady and others, on the field for 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
The second half finally started 15mins late after the ambulance left the field.
Both teams were attacking well with the game see-sawing from end to end.
Again the Fire defence was proving the difference.
At 41 minutes Fire got the match-winning goal, with some excellent lead up work. Brok Ross with the ball on the sideline on half way, beat his opposite number going up the wing, dummied to go up the wing again but instead cut inside and pushed the ball to the unmarked Boyce. Boyce switched it straight away to Varga on the far right wing, who went round his opposite number, crossed it in beating everyone except the fast approaching Boyce, this time on the far post who headed it down into the goals for his second header of the day and putting Fire in a strong position, 3 nil up.
Fire didn’t have it all their own way. Redlands had quite a few attacks down the right wing managing to get the ball in the box on a number of occasions but were not able to beat the fire defenders in the box.
They did on one occasion, get a fine cross in which was met with a perfectly timed volley just inside the penalty box, which unfortunately for Redlands went over the cross bar.
Player of the Match: Luke Varga
Under 15 Boys – Redlands United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (0)
Sunshine Coast travelled to Redlands to face the side currently sitting on top of the ladder and undefeated, so a tough encounter was to be expected.
A couple of suspensions meant a reshuffle in the defence with shadow players Ryan McLintock and Harrison Hooper coming in and Budd Baulbys moving to the centre of defence to partner Harry Fletcher.
Fire started very brightly with some good possession and fast ball movement causing Redlands some issues. Harry Arnison, Sean Bentley and Jordan Meredith all started well in the midfield while Beau Boucher was getting through a lot of work as a defensive forward.
Tom Whittaker was causing the Redlands defence some issues also and a good cross from Kaelan Debbage saw Whittaker go close.
Redlands’ chances came whenever the Fire attack over extended themselves and they looked for long balls over the top with quick counter attacks.
On 32 minutes Eligh Williams produced a great 1 on 1 save to deny Redlands while Fire had about five corners that were causing Redlands plenty of problems, but half time came with neither side able to trouble the scorers.
The second half continued to produce a very even contest, with Redlands starting to put some pressure on but some great defending by the whole back four kept them out. Harry Bowen and Harrison Hooper in the fullback positions gave Redlands’ wingers a torrid afternoon with some excellent defensive work.
Nathan Thompson added some great intensity in the middle of the park, not giving the Redlands midfield any time on the ball, while Harry Arnison was causing all sorts of problems, with Redlands resorting to fouling him at every opportunity.
Despite both sides playing some entertaining football, most chances were from long range efforts or set pieces, and neither side could quite get the ball to bounce their way.
Redlands looked for balls over the top, while Fire tried to put balls into dangerous areas from out wide, but unfortunately neither side could find a break through and the match ended 0-0.
Player of the Match: Harry Bowen
Under 16 Boys – Redlands United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (6)
Fire needed this win to stay up to battle with the top three and Redlands were on the bottom of the table so a loss would be very disappointing.
Sam Moore was fouled early on outside the 18 yard box and Mitchell Bridge took the free kick. Kurtis Modlin shot down low but the keeper made a great save to kick the ball out.
Sam Moore made a break down the right hand side and put in a through ball to Terone Wattegedara who finished the play with a fine finish to put it in the back of the net in the 31st minute.
Aiden Castillo overlapped and dribbled down the left hand side and shot but the Redlands goalkeeper fumbled the ball and Moore pounced on the rebound and shot first time to score a goal.
In the 41st minute, Taj Suffolk ran with the ball down the left of the field, beat the defender and crossed into the path of Wattegedara who turned and shot into the back of the net.
Taj took on two players down the middle of the field and beat both of them to put a through ball onto Kurtis Modlin. Modlin beat his defender and tapped it into the back of the net.
Bridge played long ball onto Suffolk who headed it forward on the bounce. There was a scramble in the middle and Suffolk pounced on the loose ball with a header to put it over the keeper to make it 5-0 in the 63rd minute.
A free kick was taken by Braden Huston from outside the 18 yard box which crosses into the box Kurtis beats everyone in the air to header it hard into the goals for a well-deserved 6-0 win.
Sunshine Coast Fire proved to be too much for Redlands United who are lingering at the bottom of the ladder.
Player of the Match: Sam Moore
Under 18 Boys – Gold Coast United FC (9) v Sunshine Coast FC (0)
The Fire 18s travelled away to Gold Coast City with a degree of optimism due to an increased squad.
Fire were competing well and threatened the Gold Coast goal early with a solid shot from James Beckman being parried away for a corner by Garion Vogel in goal for Gold Coast.
The competitive battle in the middle of the park ensured play was a little scrappy at times as both teams were seeking to gain the upper hand. The Fire defence was scrambling well and nullified the Gold Coast attacking raids.
In the 16th minute Josh Wall saved a certain goal and Matt Alberts was on hand for the Fire with a goal saving tackle on a Gold Coast attacker as he tried to find a way through the crowded box with the rebound from Wall.
At the 25th minute the game was evenly poised but Fire were denied the opening goal from a shot from Jez Lofthouse, as Vogel managed to touch it onto the post in a desperate dive.
Fire were getting stretched on a number of occasions as pass completion was poor, breaking down their attacks from which Gold Coast quickly mounted counter attacks. In the 28th minute Fire were attacking and lost the ball and play swept back upfield and the Gold Coast attacker was through on goal, but Wall denied him as he came off his line.
Alberts again had to clear off his line in the 32nd minute. Fire were losing their intensity and were saved a number of times by defenders cleaning up.
It was completely out of the blue, however, in the 34th minute when Harry McMaster from the Gold Coast played an innocuous ball along the ground into the box which deceived Wall who appeared to have it covered as he crouched to collect it. The ball trickled painfully just inside the post to make it 1-0 to Gold Coast.
Fire quickly bounced back and in the 36th minute Ollie Blackmore played a free kick into the defensive wall on the edge of the Gold Coast box and collected the rebound and beat several defenders before drilling a low hard shot. Vogel was well beaten this time but Fire’s luck was out again as the ball cannoned off the post and across the goal line for a goal kick outside the other post. Fire only needed someone to follow in for a tap-in but it wasn’t to be.
In the 40th minute Blackmore won the ball in midfield and in an individual run on the left past several defenders and was away on goal but Vogel was able to come off his line to deny him and Fire the equaliser they deserved for their efforts in the first half.
In a cruel twist, in the 44th minute Fire defenders backed off Samuel Shepherd of the Gold Coast as he ran towards goal and allowed him room as he cut across the top of the box to score and give Gold Coast a 2-0 lead going into half time.
Despite all the words of wisdom at half time and the warnings to avoid the second half switch offs that have plagued the Fire 18s’ season, when the second half battle resumed it didn’t take long for the nightmare of the season to resume.
Fire conceded seven second half goals in the worst capitulation of the season. Gold Coast to their credit maintained the intensity they showed in the first half to put themselves in goal scoring positions but they would have to admit the ease with which they scored a number of these goals was unexpected.
Fire conceded in the 50th, 53rd, 58th and 62nd minute before Sam Standish for Fire kept Gold Coast honest with a long range shot which only narrowly missed the target.
Fire conceded again in the 70th, 75th and 84th minute. Too many of the goals were tap-ins as Gold Coast followed in shots which had been parried by Wall and not cleared by Fire. Shepherd must have thought it was Christmas as he found the net five times to boost his individual season tally.
In a repeat of last week, some individual efforts for the Fire were commendable but the team lacked cohesion and had no answer to stem the flow of second half goals.
Player of Match: Liam Burns
