Under 12 Boys – Olympic FC (4) v Sunshine Coast FC (5)
This Round 17 catch up game was a third encounter in quick succession between the two teams, Fire taking out the previous two games, the last a convincing 4 -1 victory a week ago in Kawana.
Sunshine Coast Fire got the game underway but it was quickly evident that the home team were intent on avenging last week’s defeat, Fire clumsy and lacklustre in the opening exchanges. With Olympic quicker to the ball and showing much more desire, it was little surprise to see a deflected shot landing on top of the Fire goal within the opening two minutes. Herbie Allsopp in particular having to make numerous tackles and interceptions to keep Olympic at bay. Olympic sent another shot wide in the fifth minute before the inevitable breakthrough came in the 7th minute, a through ball sending Olympic clear before the striker coolly slid the ball under the advancing Fire keeper, Alec Lavender. Lavender was smartly out a minute later, bravely at the feet of an Olympic player to concede a corner, before comfortably saving a long range effort in the 8th minute. Olympic again had another opportunity, Allsopp sliding in to put pressure on the striker whose shot was saved by Lavender.
Almost 10 minutes had elapsed before Fire had a meaningful foray into Olympic territory, a long ball from Dré Ngaha sent Riley Moore and Kaidin Dawson chasing down the left hand side, Jett Wouters battling to get a cross into the Olympic goalmouth, the keeper comfortably claiming the ball. Lachlan Noyes sent a somewhat speculative effort high and wide in the 11 minute.
The 13th minute saw Fire fall further behind, Olympic again playing a ball behind the Fire defence left Allsopp as the last man and his desperate lunge to prevent the shot only resulted in him taking the man, the referee pointing immediately to the penalty spot. The resulting effort was powerfully driven down the middle of the goal to give Olympic a 2-0 lead.
Fire responded by trying to force the game, Tanner Mathers and Ngaha battling to win free kicks in midfield, the latter sending a chipped pass in the Olympic area but just too far ahead of Wouters.
Disaster struck again for Fire in the 16th minute when another cross-field through ball found Fire disorganised at the back, and a carbon copy of Olympics opener extended the lead even further for the hosts.
In the 17th minute after a run into an advanced position Allsopp tried his luck, his deflected effort falling to Fire but the follow up shot was side footed wide. Looking to keep some momentum in the Olympic half Fire were awarded a free kick to their left of the Olympic area, after a foul on Wouters. Noyes confidently stepping up and dispatching a stunning arched shot into the top corner to give Fire a foothold.
From the restart Fire started to show some greater intensity to their play, Wouters hustling a defender before winning the ball to fire home a second barely a minute after the first to reduce the arrears to just one.
Olympic however were not to be deterred, and in the 26th minute they again gave themselves a two goal cushion, Lavender and Allsopp stopping two efforts on the line before a third shot found the back of the Fire net as Fire struggled to clear their defensive lines.
Despite Wouters trying to force the play, Ryan Tappouras having a long range effort blocked and Allsopp impressing at the back, Fire huffed and puffed for the most part and continued to lack shape and organization in many areas of the park, half time coming to give them a welcome opportunity to regroup, Fire going into the break 4-2 down.
Olympic started the second half and straight away Fire were dealt another blow when Wouters suffered an injury and was forced to leave the field.
But Fire were certainly showing more purpose to their second half play, Tappouras sending Dawson clear down the left, whose teasing 33rd minute cross found the incoming Hayden White at the far post to score his first of the season and Fire’s 3rd to reduce the deficit again to one.
Fire now had their tails up, Tappouras sent an effort in to the side netting in the 36th minute before the energetic Ngaha also fired an effort wide.
Keeping Olympic on the back foot, Riley Moore charged down a goalkeeper’s clearance and did well to win possession, Dawson providing good support enabling Fire to play the ball around the Olympic area until Mark Shaw was eventually fouled. Despite the free kick coming to nothing Fire were continuing to keep up there high pressure game in all areas of the park, and after controlling a loose ball outside the Olympic area Tappouras burst through to level the scores at 4 -4. Allsopp again brought the ball forward from defence superbly, found Tappouras who in turn found Dawson who again sent a lovely cross into the Olympic area this time to no avail.
After sustaining an Olympic rally midway through the half thanks to some dogged defending, Noyes reignited Fire with a great ball down the right flank for Shaw who could only cross into the side netting, Moore working hard up front was unable to take advantage of a defensive mix up in the 48th minute, Mathers, showing strength and determination bustling his way through the middle of the park in the 50th minute before Moore fired over. Further good play from Ngaha, Dawson and Tappouras eventually found Shaw who’s cross fell to Moore, this time he made no mistake with a looping effort over the keeper to complete a remarkable turnaround for Fire as they took the lead 4-5 with eight minutes remaining.
Olympic forced a free kick in the 54th minute but Mathers was able to clear, before a follow up shot was comfortably dealt with by Fire keeper, Luke Vancam. Another mazy Allsopp run from defence found Wouters whose shot was blocked. Wouters again finding himself through on goal in the 58th minute, but the chance to settle the game went begging as the Olympic keeper made a fine save, Fire also sending a couple of further half chances wide as Fire continued to have the upper hand and look for a sixth in the closing stages.
Despite their Jekyll and Hyde showing, Fire deservedly took all three points after a number of excellent and much improved second half performances which showed the developing character of the team as their late season flourish continues.
Player of the Match: Dré Ngaha
Under 13 Boys – Olympic FC (1) v Sunshine Coast FC (4)
With the season drawing to a close and the first of our last three games away Sunshine Coast FC travelled to Goodwin Park to play Brisbane Olympic for the second time in as many weeks. With meeting last week resulting in a confident win Brisbane Olympic were ready to set the record straight.
Sunshine Coast FC pushed forward attacking the goals immediately with Brisbane Olympic holding strong in their defence. Brisbane Olympic’s defensive pressure resulted in the loss of possession for Sunshine Coast FC and a strong counter attack saw Olympic place the first goal on the board on the 18th minute.
Sunshine Coast FC recomposed and continued to play their game moving the ball around the pitch moving forward with the goals in their sights. A corner taken by Dimitri Pritchard saw the ball come off Kyan Bryant’s head and followed in by Flynn Faulkner to equalise on the 24th minute. 1-1
Continuing with the momentum Sunshine Coast FC lifted as they moved the ball around the pitch. A combination of passes between Kane Gibbs, Matthew Becker and Bryant resulted in a goal for Bryant on the 28th minute for Fire to take the lead. Fire 2-1.
Second half Brisbane Olympic stepped up the pressure and physicality looking to draw the game back in and equalise. Sunshine Coast FC matched the Olympic attack through possession and movement of the ball.
Each time Brisbane Olympic pushed forward Sunshine Coast FC held strong in their defence and regained possession to continue their drive towards goals. The 50th minute saw Becker’s shot on goal deflected by Brisbane Olympic keeper into the pathway of Gibbs for Fire to increase their lead. Fire 3-1
As both teams headed into the final minutes of the match Sunshine Coast FC stepped up and Gibbs placed the final goal of the match in the back of the net on the 67th minute. Fire 4-1
Player of the Match: Jacob Reid
