Under 12 Boys – Redlands United FC (3) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Round 12 saw Fire travel down to Redlands who they had previously played in Round 2, Redlands winning that encounter 2-6 in Kawana. Fire kicked off in perfect conditions and made a bright and confident start, forcing the game’s first corner after two minutes.
After four minutes Fire were awarded a free kick which Fire’s second corner of the game, Redlands were unable to clear and under pressure a Redland defender handled the ball and a penalty was awarded which Dre Ngaha confidently placed into the top right corner, 0-1 Fire
In the 8th minute Ngaha again crossed in the Redland area which Beppe Rocco headed just wide of the goal.
Fire continued to be on top thanks to some strong midfield play from Hayden White and Riley.
After 12 minutes Redlands managed their first shot after some good pressure but goalkeeper Alec Lavender made the save.
After 16 minutes Ngaha, Rocco and Mark Shaw combined well down the left-hand side and earned a free kick after Shaw was fouled. Ngaha sent the free kick into the penalty box but the ball drifted wide.
On 22 minutes Redlands were awarded a corner which was cleared by Fire and from the break Marc Shaw made a strong run down the wing, evading several Redland challenges.
After 29 minutes Redlands drew level with a fierce shot from 18 yards after Fire had been unable to clear their defensive lines.
Fire were unlucky to not immediately regain the lead on the stroke of halftime after a powerful shot by Jett Wouters forced the Redlands keeper into a decent save.
Half time, Redlands 1, Fire 1
Redlands started the second half much the stronger team and took the lead within two minutes after a failed clearance allowed a Redlands striker to stroke the ball into the far corner giving the Fire goalkeeper no chance.
Fire continued to struggle for momentum and it took a superb header off the line from Lachlan Noyes to prevent Redlands going further ahead.
All of the Fire defenders were working extremely hard, Ryan Tappouras and Herbie Allsopp both making important challenges to keep Redlands at bay. On 44 minutes Ngaha cleared the danger after another scramble in the Fire penalty area.
As the half wore on Fire did begin to get back into the game, Jeremy Byasse making a solid challenge in midfield and Shaw again making positive forward runs down the wing. Under more Redlands pressure Wouters headed clear a Redland corner in the 45th minute.
On 48 minutes Wouters again showed strength to hold off a number of defenders before sending a shot just wide of the far post.
In the 50th minute Redlands had another opportunity but the shot was wide.
Luke Vancam was also working very hard on the wing and in the 53rd minute was unlucky to slip after carrying the ball to the Redlands last third.
However, in the 55th minute Redlands looked to have wrapped up the points when a shot from the edge of the Fire penalty area made the score 3-1.
Shaw was very unlucky in the 56th minute after a quick Fire free kick played him in to a one on one with the Redlands keeper but his deft touch drifted just wide of the post.
In the 57th minute Ryan Tappouras was again called into action to clear the danger.
In the last minute, Redlands forced another corner which proved to be the last action of the game.
Player of the Match: Lachlan Noyes
Under 13 Boys – Redlands United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (6)
Round 12 saw Fire’s second meeting with Redlands United FC for the season. During the last match Redlands United FC placed high defensive pressure to minimise Sunshine Coast FC’s scoring opportunities.
Once again Sunshine Coast FC pressed hard with an attacking game and were met with a strong Redlands United FC defence.
Redlands United FC’s strong defence resulted in a foul on Sunshine Coast FC inside the box drawing a penalty shot on the 4th minute. With a successful strike on goal by Sam Klein Sunshine Coast FC were on the board. Fire 1-0
Sunshine Coast FC moved the ball around the pitch, placing a number of unsuccessful shots on Redlands United FC’s goal. The 17th minute saw a play through the middle of the park from Klein to Flynn Faulkner and forward to Matthew Becker to score Sunshine Coast FC’s second goal. Fire 2-0
Sunshine Coast FC continued to combine a number of passes through the midfield between Maxx Demerutis, Faulkner and Klein which resulted in Sunshine Coast FC’s third goal on the 29th minute. Fire 3-0.
Redlands United FC fought hard defensively and took advantage of any opportunity to counter attack which was successfully contained and controlled by Fire’s defensive line up of keeper Ben Nassiep, Jacob Reid, Jack Connors and Harrison Whitelaw.
Sunshine Coast FC played out from the back, through the midfield to Faulkner, to Kyan Bryant on the wing and on to Becker who placed a shot on goal which was deflected by Redlands United FC keeper and followed in by Jake Rocker on the 31st minute. Fire 4-0
Second half began the same as the first with Sunshine Coast FC controlling the game with the majority of possession while Redlands United FC continued to play a defensive game and their keeper Connor Damsma strong in goals.
The 54th minute saw a successful passage of play between Becker, Whitelaw and Kane Gibbs which resulted in Sunshine Coast FC’s 5th goal for the match. Fire 5-0
Both teams worked hard despite being reduced to 10 men. The final goal for the match came from a penalty taken by Sunshine Coast FC’s Dimitri Westwood – Pritchard on the 70th minute. Fire 6-0
Player of the Match: Jacob Reid
Under 13 Girls – Peninsula Power (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
This Round 7 clash was another important game for the Fire girls. After their win last week against Souths United this weekend was another challenge. The unforeseen challenges came from the travel as an accident on the Bruce Highway ensured many families were stuck in traffic leaving limited time for warm-up and team talk. Another challenge came from the fact that three girls were unavailable leaving the team with only 11 players. The traffic ensured the girls started the game with 10 players.
The girls started very brightly and were playing some beautiful football. Multiple attempts on goal in the first 15 minutes were thwarted by either good keeping or the final shot lacking venom. At the 20 minute mark the consistent pressure was converted into a goal when the left-hand side of the team (Grace Shelley, Macey Edward, Drew Aiken) all combined in a beautiful move. The ball was then pushed to Maddy Sansby who turned, made space and drove the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.
The girls continued to pressure and stand-in keeper (Emily Ferroussat) then made the save of the game when the Power striker blasted a shot that was heading in the bottom corner. Emily was at a full stretch dive and got her finger tips to the ball to push it out for a corner.
The second half saw Lili Danger take a turn in goal with Emily Ferroussat moving into the midfield. The second half was a torrid affair and the game constantly ebbed and flowed. Coach John then gave Ellie Hambly a chance to stretch her legs at the front in a position change with Maddy Sansby. Both teams had limited scoring chances. The last 10 minutes was quite difficult for the Fire Girls as the tiredness in the legs of the 11 players was starting to show. Some solid defending by the entire team and some confident keeping by stand-in Lili Danger ensured the girls hung on to a well-deserved 1-0 win. This ensures the girls remain on the top of the league ladder.
Under 14 Boys – Redlands United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (3)
Even start to game, both sides not retaining possession for any great length of time. Deceptive weaving run from Connor Hyder through four players, squared his pass to Corne Boshoff who struck the ball well, however against the crossbar.
Great combination play around the 18yrd box resulted in Connor Evans shooting from distance only to drift over the crossbar. A nice run Jack Williams, fed the ball through to Hyder who shot straight at the keeper.
Fire started to control possession and Boshoff shot from distance straight at the keeper. Lucas Aughterson received the ball from a defending corner and ran past several Redlands players. The ball was intercepted and collected again by Lombardo. Great shot from distance, however Redlands keeper again had it covered.
Emery again went on an elusive run. Beating several players he found himself on a tight angle and his shot deflected off the upright. Jake Debbage collected the rebound and his shot deflected off the defender for a corner. The resulting corner was placed deep to the far post. As he has done many times, Lombardo met the ball with his head at the far post to make it 1-0 at the break.
Great start to the second half by Fire. Excellent combination play forced an early corner. Debbage shot at goal from the corner trying to use the wind to his advantage. Keeper had to tip the ball over the bar.
Toby Evens-Gilham playing in the #9 position was starting to make life difficult for the Redlands defence as he combined nicely with Debbage and Nick Harvey. Redlands found a way through the reliable Fire defence. The attacker found himself 1v1 with Lachlan Norwood who pulled off a fantastic save.
Fire continued to control the game. Another corner saw a deflected ball fall to Aaron Smith who shot just over the cross bar. Fire searched for the second goal to kill off the game with further shots by Evens-Gilham, Smith, Debbage and Emery.
A searching cross from distance by Debbage drifted over the keeper’s head to find Harvey at the far post. The ball is deflected back across goal only to see a Redlands defender push the ball into his own net. 2-0
Fire put the game to rest with a final goal by Emery. A nice chip over the back line by Harvey finds Emery who smartly tucked the ball away to make it 3-0.
A deserved win by Fire, however a much improved Redlands side never really allowed Fire to feel comfortable.
Player of the Match: Lachlan Norwood – Mr reliable made a great save at 1-0 which would have changed the game. Excellent distribution and safe hands has seen Lachlan only pick the ball out of the net twice this year. An incredible statistic that is supported by his trusty back line.
Under 15 Girls – Peninsula Power (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (4)
3rd minute – Kijah Stephenson took a penalty kick hitting the goal crossbar
20th minute – Kijah Stephenson scored first goal for Sunshine Coast Fire 1-nil
22nd minute – Jordan Weckert brought the ball in from wide and took a beautiful shot at goal narrowly missing
25th minute – Destiny Guteridge’s and Izzy O’hara defence was very strong denying Peninsula an opportunity at goal
29th minute – Audrey Upston took the second goal for Fire in front of the goal box score 2 – nil
Half time
36th minute – Jordan Weckert took a pass from Kijah Stephenson and scored the third goal for Fire 3-nil
39th minute – Bree Wallace sent a long cross for Jordan Weckert to take her second goal in the game score 4-nil
55th minute – Teyl Danger took a shot at goal just missing the bar
60th minute – Emily Roach off her left foot missed her opportunity at goal sending the ball flying over the cross bar
Under 18 Boys – Brisbane Strikers FC (4) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Fire knew they were going to be in for a tough game playing the in-form Strikers on a cool night at home in Perry Park.
7’ – Strikers managed to get a threatening ball through which was successfully shut down by Brown
9’ – Strikers shot on goal, great save by keeper Porter to keep Strikers at bay.
14’ – Goal Strikers – Continuous attack managed to finally slip one past Fire by Field for their first goal
35’ – Goal Strikers – Matcham slots one home.
38’ – Strikers break away down the right wing looked threatening but finishing cross to goal went wide
39’ – Page puts a beautiful ball through to Modlin looking fit after return from injury. Modlin’s finishing strike at goal unfortunately saved by the Strikers keeper
40’ – Yellow Card – Fire’s Ward foul following aggressive tackle
43’ – Fire appeared to settle on the ball and dominated possession towards end of first half with two more shots on goal saved by the keeper.
45’ – Goal Strikers – Putting one home with seconds to go before the break
Half Time 3-0 to Strikers
50’ – Half-time changes to the line-up saw Fire again take possession and control
55’ – Huston, Byasse and Rompel teamed up in midfield maintaining great pressure and creating many opportunities to score, but Fire just couldn’t find the back of the net
63’ – Strikers got shot on goal, but pressure by Brown saw the ball go wide right side of net
66’ – Platz got a shot at goal with a quick follow-up from Modlin but still Fire couldn’t manage to break through to Strikers goal
69’ – Strikers threatened with a pacy run only to be shut down by a solid Fire defence
72’- Corner from Strikers cleared with a strong header from Smith
79’ – The home team took two more shots into Fire box, the first blocked by Platz and second attempt going wide.
83’ – Yellow Card – Strikers Matcham received a card following tackle
84’ – Strikers Score with a second from Stewart
A great game of football to watch with the score line not reflecting how even the play was, with Fire’s numerous shots unfortunately not able to slip through a well defended Strikers goals.
