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[tab_item title=”Under 13 Boys”]
Gold Coast United FC (2) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Fire took to the road once more for this Round 12 clash in Robina. The hosts, once again leading the title race, Fire with their tails up after four successive victories.
In idyllic Autumnal conditions Fire got the game underway and almost suffered a catastrophic opening. Within the first 30 seconds as Gold Coast broke forward from a misplaced Fire pass and sent an angled drive across Bradford Green’s goal, only to see it strike the post.
After that early scare it was Fire who created the next goal scoring opportunities. Mark Shaw, always a danger with his pace broke clear down the Fire right in the 3rd minute. His pass inside to Charlie Jeff gave the Fire striker a half chance but his shot was saved. Kaidin Dawson was also looking to take the game to United and his cross moments later was barely an inch too far ahead of the incoming Shaw at the United back post.
The Fire backline has become an assured unit in recent weeks and the early exchanges Dré Ngaha starting at left back was particularly involved, with Luke Vancam and Herbie Allsopp also showing composure and good distribution. It was Allsopp’s interception in the 8th minute that allowed Dawson and Jeff the opportunity combine and with Dawson again beating his man it was unfortunate that Jeff was half a yard offside. Fire were continuing to enjoy good fortune down their left, Ngaha looking to send Dawson clear at whenever possible.
In the 11th minute Fire won the ball in midfield, and again passed to Dawson, his run and cross was this time met on the full by Shaw who made no mistake from 6 yards to volley Fire into the lead.
Gold Coast tried to hit back from the kick off but send a 13th minute effort high and wide before Fire almost extended their lead. A neat turn by Jett Brutnell just outside the United area created a yard of space but a well struck shot flew agonisingly wide.
In the 16th minute, a shot from the edge of the Fire area sneaking past Green after some good build up play. Fire did not let this unduly disappoint them and the impressive Dawson almost edged Fire back in front when getting in behind the home defence he could only hook a difficult bouncing ball wide under pressure from the United keeper.
Despite United having the majority of the ball, Fire have become adept and being extremely well organised and difficult to break down, and after a United shot flashed wide in the 20th minute Fire again showed why. After again winning the ball in midfield, Dawson once more set off down the left, a good one-two with Ngaha allowed him to drive into the United area where they happily conceded a corner. Fire, once more came closest to adding to the score line in the 28th minute, when Ngaha, now pushed into a more advanced role backed himself from 25 yards and with the Gold Coast keeper well beaten his effort crashed against the post.
The hosts however went one better in the 30th minute when shot come cross deceived keeper Green and looped over his outstretched arm to give United the lead.
Half Time: Gold Coast United (2) – Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Gold Coast came back underway after the half time interval. Dawson again making an impact for Fire with the United defence forced to make a good saving tackle in the 37th minute.
James Ridley at left back for Fire and Tanner Mathers in midfield both made important contributions early in the half winning important challenges, Green making a good stop in the 38th minute as United pressed in the opening minutes. Following the corner, confidently headed clear by the ever hardworking Lachie Noyes, a United long range strike struck the Fire bar, Vancam alert and first to the rebound to clear the danger. More tenacious play from Mathers allowed Dawson to head-clear again and draw the foul, Fire unable to capitalise. The visitors were again indebted to Green in the 47th minute, the Fire keeper making a great save low to his right.
In an increasingly entertaining, end to end game, Fire won another free kick on the right hand side of the United area, Allsopp sending a left footed effort inches wide and into the side netting. Ridley, putting in a strong performance at left back again did well in the 49th minute, winning his challenge before showing good distribution to set Fire going forward once more.
Fire were now enjoying their most consistent period of the game, passing well and purposeful with the ball they were putting United under sustained pressure. Good play from Ryan Tappouras to link play allowed Neo Anderson a chance to send over cross where Brutnell had a chance blocked, Dawson also sending a cross in the 60th minute, Ngaha no quite able to get on the end of it, the ball falling to Shaw who agonizingly sent a close range over the bar. Ngaha himself then had an effort saved in the 61st minute.
Ridley once more excelled in snuffing out a United attack to allow Fire to again build momentum, but to no avail.
Green showed good vision to send a long clearance down field that United were happy to hack away for a corner in the 66th minute, but Fire were unable to make it count.
A spirited and determined Fire performance deserved something from the game but alas, it was not to be. Gold Coast were able to see the game out with no further scares. In so doing, brought Fire’s winning run to an unfortunate end.
Despite the result the visitors will take plenty of positives from another encouraging team performance.
Full Time: Gold Coast United (2) – Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Player of the Match: James Ridley
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[tab_item title=”Under 14 Boys”]
Gold Coast United FC (1) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Round Twelve saw the Under 14 Boys travel to the Gold Coast for the second time this season. We walked away from our first meeting with a number of long term injuries and a loss in the dying minutes of the game. Sunshine Coast FC were intent on evening the score after their first round defeat.
Sunshine Coast FC started strong, maintaining possession in their attacking half and moving the ball with confidence as they drove towards the goal. A number of shots on goal went by the wayside and not giving Sunshine Coast FC the early lead they were looking for.
The 20th minute saw the fruition of Sunshine Coast FC’s persistent attack when Dimitri Pritchard delivered the ball to Harry McMillan on the right and he crossed it into the middle for Kyan Bryant to follow it in with a header.
Sunshine Coast FC maintained majority of possession and control for the remainder of the first half but were unsuccessful in increasing their lead.
Half Time: Gold Coast United FC (0) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
The second half saw Gold Coast United FC return to the pitch with a renewed drive. The tables were turned and Sunshine Coast FC had to defend a consistent attack from Gold Coast United.
Sunshine Coast FC scrambled in defence to continually shut down the drive and pressure from Gold Coast United FC’s attack.
The equaliser came on the 63rd minute when Sunshine Coast FC were outplayed and the ball went in off the head of a Gold Coast player.
Sunshine Coast FC stepped up looking to get back on top with Gold Coast FC looking to do the same.
The final minutes of the game saw a last ditched effort for Sunshine Coast FC to get on top but to no avail.
Full Time: Gold Coast United FC (1) v Sunshine Coast FC (1)
Player of the Match: Dimitri Pritchard
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[tab_item title=”Under 15 Boys”]
Gold Coast United FC (4) v Sunshine Coast FC (2)
Fire U15 team showed up at the home teams fields for a 3:30pm game against top of the ladder team, Gold Coast.
The game was action packed right from the beginning with Gold Coast scoring in the 3rd minute.
Fire player Vochteloo strikes straight back scoring a goal and levelling the game 1-1 in the 6th minute.
Midfielder Hyder seemed to come from nowhere taking the ball from the Gold Coast players numerous times creating opportunities for the team.
Gold Coast score again in the 11th minute but Fire was determined not to let them get ahead. Vochteloo would score again in the 20th minute. Making the score 2-2.
Vochteloo nearly getting a hat trick in the 23rd minute. Gold Coast where quick to get the ball back an some great defence from Evans saved a goal.
Half Time: Gold Coast United FC (2) v Sunshine Coast FC (2)
The Fire team played well in the second half but despite their efforts Gold Coast kept Fire scoreless.
Gold Coast scoring two more goals in the second half.
Full Time: Gold Coast United FC (4) v Sunshine Coast FC (2)
Player of the Match: Kurt Vochteloo
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