Under 12 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (0) v Gold Coast City FC (6)
Round 20 saw Fire welcome back table topping Gold Coast City to Kawana, the previous round 11 encounter having been won 3 – 8 by the Gold Coast. In the opening minutes both teams were very evenly contested. No clear chances were created by either side and the Fire’s defence was standing up well.
3′ Tanner Mathers playing #5 was making good clearance in the third minute.
5′ The Gold Coast keeper was under pressure when Beppe Rocco chased a through ball but the keeper was able to clear.
7′ Dré Ngaha, who had a very impressive first half, made a strong covering tackle preventing the Gold Coast getting through the Fire back-line.
12′ Fire remained solid and difficult to breach as the half progressed and saw a good interchange of passes in midfield from Luke Vancam, Jett Wouters and Kaidin Dawson to give Wouters the opportunity to cross into the City area.
14′ Gold Coast, however took the lead in the 14th minute. From a free kick, the ball was floated into the Fire penalty area, and the City striker placed a well taken volley.
City made it 0-2 four minutes later when, after only half clearing a succession of Gold Coast crosses the visitors prodded in a second from close range.
22′ Fire continued to play with heart and looked intent on getting back into the game but were unable to create the chances. However, Gold Cost came closest to adding to the score line when they headed just wide from a corner in the 22nd minute, soon after Lavender was forced into making a save low down.
25′ Fire’s defence again kept them in the match with Herbie Allsopp making a couple of good tackles in quick succession, Ngaha also making a superb sliding tackle after a long crossfield ball almost put Gold Coast through on goal again.
Fire went into the break at 0-2, but very much in the game.
Gold Coast City got the second half underway and within a minute had extended their lead, some confident passing and a half cleared cross created a shooting chance on the edge of the Fire area that was confidently dispatched into the net.
33′ Mark Shaw almost got through on goal in the 33rd minute but again the City keeper came out well to clear.
38′ The Fire defence was working overtime with Lachlan Noyes and Allsopp both making a number of important challenges but with Fire unable to retain possession, Gold Coast began to look more confident and added a fourth goal in the 38th minute after their striker was put through to shoot past Lavender into the far corner.
42′ Another long ball out of the Gold Coast defence in the 42nd minute allowed them to make it 0 – 5 when out pacing the Fire defence the Gold Coast striker poked in at the near post.
47′ Gold Coast scored again after confusion in the Fire area allowed the visitors to steal the ball and give Lavender no chance from a fierce drive 12 yards out.
53′ Lavender made a good diving save and held onto the ball as Gold Coast threatened to run riot. Jeremy Byasse also making two goal line clearances within seconds of each other in the 54th minute.
To their credit Fire continued to work hard, Riley Moore forcing a corner after more good work from Ngaha played him through.
Unfortunately Fire were denied even a consolation goal as following a stoppage for an injury to a Gold Coast player the referee signalled the end of the game.
Player of the Match: Riley Moore
Under 13 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (6) v Gold Coast FC (2)
Sunshine Coast FC started in the same manner as they have in their previous matches, starting strong, pressing high and immediately attacking the goals. A pass from Kyan Bryant on the left through to Matthew Becker saw Fire’s first goal on the first minute. Fire 1-0
Both teams were quick to restart with Sunshine Coast FC pushing forward in an attempt to capitalise on their early lead. Gold Coast City FC settled as they attempted to even the score. The 18th minute saw Gold Coast City successful in scoring their first goal of the match to equalise. 1-1
Sunshine Coast FC Fire moved the ball around the pitch, controlling the game. A through ball by Kane Gibbs to Becker on the wing with a pass back to Gibbs saw Fire’s second goal for the match on the 29th minute. Fire 2-1
Gold Coast City FC retaliated with a shot on goal, a deflection by keeper Nassiep landed at the feet of Maxx Demerutis. A pass through to Samuel Klein then onto Gibbs saw him take a solid shot on goal. The Gold Coast City FC keeper deflected the ball which was followed in by Jake Rocker on the 34th minute. Fire 3-1
The second half Sunshine Coast FC Fire returned to the pitch full of confidence, moving the ball and maintaining possession. A pass from the right hand corner of the pitch by Dimitri Pritchard to Klein resulted in Fire’s fourth goal of the match on the 40th minute. Fire 4-1
This was immediately followed up by Gibbs with a display of class and strength as he weaved his way up the right to score on the 41st minute. Fire 5-1.
Gold Coast City FC continued to display their fight and hunger and on the 53rd minute their persistence paid off with their second goal. Fire 5-2
Gold Coast City FC gained momentum and quickly attacked the goals with a near miss. The sixth and final goal for the match came on the 60th minute when Rocker passed the ball through to Gibbs who powered through the defence to score, earning him a hat-trick for the match. Sunshine Coast FC played out the match with the final result being a 6-2 win to Sunshine Coast FC Fire.
Player of the Match: Kane Gibbs
Under 14 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (4) v Gold Coast City FC (3)
Top of the table clash with Fire looking to extend their lead at the top
Game started at a frantic pace with both teams pushing forward quickly.
It only took 3 mins for Fire to take the lead. A great tackle from Jack Williams won the ball for the Fire in their attacking third. The ball fell to Jayden Emery who accelerated through a gap in the City defence. Still with plenty to do Emery drove the ball from distance and curled the ball into the far corner
City fought their way back into the game and after the quarter hour mark levelled the score with a great equaliser
Fire responded quickly, however the shot from Alex Patterson, a perfectly timed half volley, was just pushed wide from the accurate cross from Aaron Smith
City took the lead after 22mins. Fire lost possession in midfield and City took full advantage. A sublime shot from distance gave Lachlan Norwood little chance
As they have done all season, Fire responded positively and created two quick chances. Patterson and Emery had both of their efforts saved by the keeper
On the half hour mark Connor Hyder levelled the score. Hyder curled the ball into the far corner from 25 out. A fantastic effort as he couldn’t have placed it any better.
Shortly after, Jacob Lombardo made a great overlapping run around Nick Harvey. Lombardo crossed the ball to the far post to find Patterson. The shot was struck well and only denied by the upright.
In unusual circumstances two goals were then scored after the half time whistle should have been blown. City took the lead after 36 mins, only for Patterson, who was having a great game, to equalize nearly 5mins after the half should have been called. 3-3 at half time.
The second half began evenly. In a high quality game, both teams looked to create chances, however excellent defending from both teams didn’t allow any clear cut chances early on.
It took until the 15 min mark for the first opportunity to arise. Great combination play on the right wing involving Emery, Harvey and Smith displayed the fluency in which Fire have attacked all year. A long searching cross to the far post was deflected out for Toby Evens-Gilham. Evens-Gilham tried to curl the ball into the far corner, however pushed the ball just wide.
Shortly after, Patterson was in the action again. A lovely through ball found him 1v1 with the keeper. Patterson managed to round the keeper only to push the ball wide.
Hyder was his usual busy self. On the half hour mark his shot was just tipped over the bar from the keeper. Several other shots from Emery and Evens-Gilham were close as Fire pushed for the deserved winner.
With a minute to go Fire were awarded a free kick 35 out. Todd Camm placed a perfectly weighted ball into the box. Patterson timed his run to perfection and placed the ball into the bottom corner. 4-3 at full time and a great game from both teams.
Player of the Match: Jack Williams – a great game in midfield. Williams was constantly in the action winning the ball quickly and starting the next Fire attack.
Under 18 Boys – Sunshine Coast FC (2) v Brisbane Strikers FC (5)
Saturday saw a fine, sunny day at Sunshine Coast Stadium for the Fire U18 Boys to face off against the second placed Brisbane Strikers.
Kick off saw fairly even possession with the first attacking play on the game being at 2’ being a well-paced run down the left wing by Fires Ryan Edwards which was shut down by a nicely shaped Strikers defensive line.
6’ Strikers make their first serious threat with a centralised run to one-on-one the Fire keeper Porter. Luckily the attacker truck the ball ending in a comfortable save for keeper.
Early play saw several off-sides awarded against Strikers as Fire defence kept a high and disciplined line.
11’ And a Strikers break saw keeper Porter having to make full stretch dive to deflect the rocket of a strike.
13’ Great run by Platz down right evading the Strikers midfield defence looked promising but was shut down by their back line.
19’ GOAL STRIKERS – A suprise strike from 22 yards out caught Fire unaware hitting the net high/left.
20’ Opportunity for Fire with free kick taken from 30 yards out on the touchline by Dawson arcing into the box on back-post with Rompel just being beaten from getting his head onto ball by the keeper.
25’ GOAL STRIKERS – A cross from right struck into goal mouth, deflected by Porter but follow-up snap from close range found the net.
28’ Another great save from Porter as he charges out of goal to take on attacker 1v1.
37’ GOAL FIRE – Well placed cross from Huston found Rompel square in front of goal and 15 yards out to comfortably poke the ball in top right.
38’ Missed opportunity for Fire after a great run by Platz down wing and a cross to Ward whose power shot on goal was deflected by Strikers keeper giving Ward a second quick snap shot . Unfortunately this time the keeper kept the ball in his gloves.
39’ An incredibly gutsy defence by Page saw him run parallel to the Striker attacker blocking the angle to goal until he body slammed into the left goal post at full speed. After a couple of concerning moments as he lay on the pitch he was soon back up and into the game uninjured to the relief of all who watched.
42’ Yellow card for Huston for “failing to respect the required distance” of Strikers free kick.
HALF TIME: Fire 1 – Strikers 2
Second half resumed with Strikers taking it to the Fire immediately with several shots on goal well saved by freshly subbed keeper Morrison within first 5 minutes
51’ Fire chance with Ward volleying a strike that shot high of crossbar.
53’ Yellow card for Festa following tackle for “unsporting behaviour”
53’ Free kick taken by Huston from 18 yard line avoids the Strikers wall but cleanly scooped up by their keeper.
58’ Another chance for Fire as Ward weaved through multiple defenders to be shutdown square in front of goal and 10 yards out by Striker CB.
62’ A great diving save from Morrison denies Strikers after fast breaking attack down right wing.
65’ Strikers denied in goal area again with a strong clearance by Page
66’ Fire chance, awesome run by Edwards to Festa in goals. Shutdown by Strikers defence only metres out.
69’ GOAL STRIKERS – Some quick 1-2 passing in the penalty area opened up Fire defence enough for Strikers to smack one home.
74’ GOAL FIRE – A perfectly placed cross from new recruit Becsi found the head of Edwards in the goal square who drove home the ball into back of net with power.
82’ GOAL STRIKERS – An attack straight through centre yielded results for attacker Anich
85’ GOAL STRIKERS – Despite valiant defensive efforts by Fire the Strikers manage to break another one through
