Under 12 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire (11) v Western Pride FC (1)
Fire started slowly and looked surprisingly sloppy early, turning the ball over. Luckily, Fire looked solid at the back and kept building only to gift the ball in the final third. That said Fire had most of the possession and looked the stronger team.
It took 12 mins for the first goal to come. An interception from Gaske and neat through ball for Patterson to score low in the corner. (1v0, 12 mins)
Rzoska score his first on 18mins after a good run and powerful finish. (2v0, 18 mins)
From there the flood gates opened. Nice team work with all the midfielders involved and the ball worked wide to Smith who smashed the ball into the net. (3v0, 21 mins)
Great feet from captain Camm, who set off Debbage with a killer pass. Debbage took 2 attempts seeing his left foot placed shot evade the keeper. (4v0, 26 mins)
Two late first-half goals quickly followed, Rzoska with a super individual dribble in the box past many defenders, then rounded the keeper before tapping the ball home.
Lombardo headed the 6th, meeting a good corner, with a precise header. (6v0, half time)
The second half was the same as the first, an average start with a strong finish. Starting slow cost the fire boys a goal on 34 minutes. (7v1, 34 mins)
Fire then settled again and took complete control. Fire dominant with wave after wave of attacks.
Camm again the provider, with another through ball behind the defence. Emery raced onto it before finishing well (7v1)
Smith scored his 2nd, squeezing the ball home from a tight angle for Fire’s 8th goal.
Emery’s lightning pace and cool finish made it 9-1.
Rzoska finished off a deserved hat trick late on. Another good passing move with the ball finding him near the edge of the box and young Byron struck the ball sweetly. The goalkeeper did well to get a hand to it, but the power was too much. (10v1, 58 mins)
With time for one more, Patterson (who had played at centre back for a lot of the game to develop his role awareness,) was back up front and keen to finish off the goals as he had started the game, a clinical finish. (11v1 full time)
Player of the Match: Byron Rzoska. Byron has delivered good performances across many games, and this was no exception. Hard work, driving runs, and 3 well taken goals.
Under 13 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire (2) v Western Pride FC (1)
The Sunshine Coast Fire started well against a well organised Western Pride team, whose play belied their position in the league.
As the game settled down the Fire started to dominate possession with their passing connecting well between the defence, midfield and forwards.
On 11 minutes the Fire’s efforts were rewarded after winning a free kick on the edge of the box, Harry Arnison’s shot along the ground was blocked by one of our own players, however, Callum Pearce was first to react to slot the loose ball into the net from close range.
The Fire continued to press for a second goal, however, Western Pride frustrated their play with some good defending. Finally, on 29 minutes the second goal came after a strong run by Harry Arnison from the corner of the box down the left by-line. Arnison’s tight angle shot was parried at the near post but Sam Aitkin was on hand for a simple tap in to make it two nil.
The Fire were unlucky not to go in three nil at half time when Rory Stenhouse collected the ball outside the box, then beat a defender to drive into the box before unleashing a raking shot that just missed the top right hand corner of the goal. A fantastic effort!
The second half continued in much the same pattern with the Fire boys dominating play without playing at their highest standards of fast, decisive, high tempo football.
Chances came for the Fire, but were either not taken, or were thwarted by the woodwork and Western Pride keeper.
However, the Fire just couldn’t put the spark into their game. Consequently, the players became frustrated, dropping their work rate and losing out on the second ball, which allowed Western Pride back into the match.
The Western Pride continued to defend well looking to catch the Sunshine Coast Fire with the occasional quick counter attack.
Western Pride’s approach was rewarded when after some scrappy play by the Fire defence they took advantage to score a late consolation goal. Final score 2-1 to the Fire.
Player of the Match: Ewan Gordon – returning from injury Ewan battled well in the midfield breaking up the opposition play with his tenacious strong tackling.
Under 13 Girls
The Gap FC (2) v Sunshine Coast Fire (5)
*Not yet submitted
Under 14 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire (7) v Western Pride FC (0)
Wet and windy conditions saw the weather at the different end of the scale compared to the 32-degree heat the team endured at Ipswich in Round 3 when these teams first met. Except for the rain, a more comfortable game was ensured and the Fire was keen to capitalise on this.
The first couple of minutes of the game saw both teams finding their feet and in the 4th minute, Sean Bentley didn’t hesitate and took a long-range shot that went straight to the Pride GK.
Daniel Rouillard was strong in defence and intercepted a ball with a full turn that saw the Fire regain possession. Harrison Hooper also made a crucial clearance right in front of goal a few minutes later.
Daniel Cuttler had a shot across the face of goal from a difficult angle in the 7th minute, but it was Owen Brader in the 11th minute that would open the scoring for the Fire. With two Pride defenders on him, Brader used his body well to turn the ball away from them and then run into space and drive the ball into the top right corner of the goal. (1-0)
The 13th minute saw a nice combination play when Daniel Cuttler popped the ball to Archie Waterson and he passed through for Harrison Bowen to shoot from the right side into the side netting.
There was great intensity and pressure by Joseph Higginson in the midfield, which saw him have a left foot shot at goal in the 17th minute.
A close opportunity for the Fire in the 20th minute, when Daniel Cuttler forced the Pride GK into a great save which went back into play and Owen Brader followed up with a great strike but the ball hit the crossbar.
Several free kicks were incorrectly awarded to the Pride throughout the half including a Yellow card for Joseph Higginson in the 25th minute.
A nasty tackle on Daniel Rouillard went unchecked in the 32nd minute, but this led to another great combination play between Daniel Cuttler and Archie Waterson that saw the ball passed in for Joseph Higginson to have a shot at goal.
The last few minutes of the first half saw Daniel Cuttler having a few power shots at goal, but the crossbar denied two of these.
Pride came out into the second half a little hungrier and finally had their first shot on target in the 37th minute, but it went straight to GK Kurt Moore-Barnard who saved it comfortably. Budd Baublys was looking threatening in the second half and made some nice attacking runs.
A well placed through ball from Daniel Rouillard in the 42nd minute, saw Owen Brader find his brace by running the ball around the Pride GK and shoot the ball at angle into the middle of the net. (2-0)
Fire were working well as a team and another great combination play in the 46th minute started from Budd Baublys, who found the feet of Oli Williams to pass out to Tom Whittaker on the right wing for him to cut in and pass across goal for Kaelan Debbage to come running in at pace but he was unable to get a foot on it.
Western Pride’s No.5 was awarded a Yellow card for the trip of Joseph Higginson in the 48th minute. The free kick was taken by Owen Brader just outside of the box who curled the ball perfectly to beat the keeper and hit the back of the net. (3-0)
Fire kept their shape and was able to maintain the ball in the attacking third for the next ten minutes and had several attempts at goal.
This was when the goal floodgates opened and it was Owen Brader to score again in the 60th minute. After a strategic run from Tom Whittaker on the right wing, he crossed the ball in for Brader to strike into the left of goal. (4-0)
A foul tackle on Tom Whittaker in the box in the 62nd minute saw Sean Bentley step up and make no mistake to drive the ball into the top of the net. (5-0)
Only one minute later, Owen Brader placed a through ball for Kaelan Debbage to run up the left wing, cut in and shoot with force that rattled the crossbar and deflected into the back of the net. (6-0)
However the Fire were not finished with their onslaught and in the 69th minute, another cross from Tom Whittaker was not cleared properly by the Pride defender and the ball fell for Archie Waterson to run onto and clinically finish past the Pride keeper. (7-0)
Owen Brader had an outstanding game with not only in attacking and scoring four goals, but also pressuring the Pride defence in their own half. A great win by the team today. Good chances and nice combinations allowed the Fire dominance of the game especially in the second half. The play was mainly in the Fire’s attacking third and this allowed for the Fire to move the ball forward and create goal-scoring opportunities.
Player of the Match: Owen Brader
Under 15 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire (2) v Western Pride FC (0)
On a small pitch Sunshine Coast dominated possession early, however Pride were playing a high line and putting plenty of pressure on the ball which didn’t allow Fire to get their passing game going.
An early chance came Fire’s way as a good ball from Max Footitt found Kurtis Modlin out wide whose cross just eluded the incoming Fire attackers.
On 11 minutes Sunshine Coast hit the lead as Kurtis Modlin closed down a Pride goal kick, winning the ball and playing a one – two with Terone Wattedegara before crossing for Jarred Schulz to score.
Pride had their first chance after 27 minutes, with a good break through the centre not closed down but the resultant shot went wide.
An unfortunate injury to a Pride player bought an early end to the first half as an ambulance was called.
After a long break the second half began with Fire still in control. Sunshine Coast were creating some good chances with through balls as first Tom Croft had a chance well saved before a Croft pass found Terone Wattedegara but the Pride keeper did very well to save once again.
In the 53rd minute Fire finally got a second goal to make things more comfortable. Some good work from Jarred Schulz out wide released Tom Croft who was having a very good game. His cross was well placed and Mitchell Bridge finished calmly with a well-placed shot passed into the net from 12 yards.
Goalkeeper Lachlan Bosworth was tested as Pride looked for a way back into the match, but two good shots were well saved with the keeper’s good hands keeping the ball out of the net.
Late on a Mitchell Bridge free kick looked destined to make it 3-0 but the Pride keeper got the slightest of touches to push the ball onto the bar.
Player of the Match: Bailey Waern
Under 15 Girls
The Gap FC (2) v Sunshine Coast Fire (3)
*Not yet submitted
Under 16 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire (0) v Western Pride FC (2)
In squally showery conditions pushed in by the South Easterly, Western Pride had the better of the early conditions with the wind and rain at their backs. They played early balls in behind the Fire defence and pressed high as the Fire struggled with the conditions.
After 5 minutes Josh Wall had to make a save and two minutes later James Beckman made a great front on tackle on the edge of the Fire penalty box and set up a Fire attacking movement.
A minute later from a Pride corner James Beckman had to clear off the line as the Fire defence was kept busy.
Pride were spoiling Fire through the middle of the park but in a promising Fire attack in the 12th minute Kobe Fuller saw his shot pass over the bar.
A minute later a bad back pass from a Fire defender forced Josh Wall off his line in a 1v1 and he just got to the ball first to kick to safety.
Just as Fire seemed to be getting more into the game, a particularly scrappy exchange occurred in the 14th minute at the top of the Fire penalty box which the Fire failed to clear. The Pride attacker pounced on the ball on the penalty spot and placed the ball inside the post to put his team ahead 1-0.
Fire continued to run into the squally rain that persisted throughout the first half. In the 23rd minute Callum Jones put Jack Bowen in the clear on the right and his cross found the head of Aiden Ward only to see the header clear the crossbar.
In the 30th minute Fire had their best chance of the half when Kobe Fuller found Jack Bowen and with a neat touch Jack was away on goal but the Pride keeper came off his line to deny him a goal.
Pride continued to use the conditions well and Fire were under the pump. In the 38th minute Josh Wall had to come off his line to block another shot and James Beckman again cleared off the line.
Fire turned in the second half with the wind at their backs but the rain had cleared and held off for the entire second half. Fire had a promising start keeping Pride pinned in their own half and Aiden Ward was able to make a number of incisive runs down the left but his crosses could not be converted.
The story of the second half became the numerous near misses of the Fire and the desperate defending of the Pride. In the 51st minute Ollie Blackmore saw his free kick pass over the cross bar. In the 52nd minute Jack Bowen’s shot was blocked and it rebounded into the path of Addi Brader whose follow up shot was also blocked. Jack Bowen had more near misses with shots. In the 60th minute Addi Brader rattled the crossbar and just as the Fire were recovering from the disappointment of that near miss Nick Kirkpatrick almost immediately hit the post. Five minutes later the ball again passed dangerously across the Pride goal mouth but there was no Fire attacker to put it away. Despite the numerous second half corners the Fire could not convert any of them.
Having attacked for so much of the second half without success Fire gifted the Pride their second goal in the 70th minute as the ball passed harmlessly across the Fire defence and the defender failed to clear as the Pride attacker drifted in behind him for a tap in. It was the story of the Fire’s day and credit to Pride for continuing to take the game to them. Leading 2-0 this Pride team were on the verge of defeating Fire for the first time since the NPL had commenced. The score remained 2-0 to Western Pride at full time.
Player of the Match: Josh Wall
Under 18 Boys
Brisbane Roar FC (6) v Sunshine Coast Fire (1)
Sunshine Coast travelled to Perry Park to face an in-form Brisbane Roar team looking to cement their spot at the top of the table.
The Sunshine Coast began with intensity when Cameron Nairn flicked the ball over the defender to play Jordan Irwin down the left wing, however the level of performance would not be maintained throughout the half. Aaron Smith in goal was called upon three times in quick succession after three weak challenges allowed a Brisbane Roar player to burst down the right wing and sloppy possession given away in the final third. A rare opportunity fell to the head of Kelton Scriggins from a set piece only to head over the bar. The opening goal fell to Brisbane Roar after the ball was given away in midfield and quick passing allowed a gap to be exploited, a calm finished followed passed Smith, 1-0 Brisbane Roar. A set piece and a corner respectively found Rhyan Scriggins, however the Sunshine Coast could not work the Brisbane Roar goal. The second goal went to Brisbane Roar, poor defending down the right hand side allowed a cross to be played into the box and a unmarked striker couldn’t miss from the goal line, 2-0 Brisbane Roar. The Sunshine Coast had a brief spell of possession, involving Luke Devitt, Sean de Chastel, Gabriel Denis, Nairn and Irwin. However, they didn’t cause any threat to the Brisbane Roar goal. A dominant Brisbane Roar scored a third goal to secure all three points moments later, a ball through the middle and a good first touch allowed a finish past Smith, 3-0 Brisbane Roar. The fourth goal followed after more sloppy defending in wide areas allowed a pass across goal for a tap in on the goal line, a controversial offside call was not given, 4-0 Brisbane Roar. The fifth goal followed via the penalty spot, a rare mistake by Smith allowed the Brisbane Roar striker to tackle in the box and force a challenge by Smith to win a penalty, the penalty was converted, 5-0 Brisbane Roar.
An improved Sunshine Coast team returned for an uneventful second half. An Irwin drive into the box and a 50/50 challenge was not enough to win a penalty. Good possession in midfield by the Sunshine Coast was not enough to trouble the Brisbane Roar backline. Substitutes entered the game in the likes of Josh Chumbley, Jordan Vieira, Jordan Lloyd, Isaac Watson replacing Denis, Captain Matthew Carrick, de Chastel and Andre Jancevski. More possession given away ends with a shot on goal, however Smith handles comfortably. Sunshine Coast scored a consolation goal, a flick by R. Scriggins found Watson who played Nairn to take a first touch out from his feet and drive towards the penalty area, with his second touch Nairn finished passed the goalkeeper with his left foot, Brisbane Roar 5, Sunshine Coast 1. A sixth goal followed for Brisbane Roar, a cutback found a unmarked midfielder who had enough time to place his shot far corner, Brisbane Roar 6, Sunshine Coast 1.
After a poor first half performance, Sunshine Coast showed great character to keep the second half competitive and showed glimpses of what the squad is capable of.
Player of the Match: Josh Chumbley who calmed the game from the back and allowed Brisbane Roar very few chances, compared to the first half.
Youth Women
The Gap FC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (4)
The Fire girls were back to their more usual positive attacking football for this game. The team transitioned well into attack, playing with good width and shape, communicating well to set up numerous combinations and overlapping runs that kept The Gap under pressure and succeeded in scoring 4 exciting goals.
The first goal came in the 10th minute when the ball was won in the midfield with Jessica Bender getting away an excellent through ball to Madi Warren who hit a fantastic low drive into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The second goal started with a mid-field pass from Jess to Lisa Van Hooijdonk on the right wing who made an excellent run and crossed in nice and early where Teyana Bielby had made of many good runs to finish.
Twenty minutes later Brooke Matheson played a great through ball to Lisa out wide, Lisa did very well to win another 1v1 race and cross to the far post for Madi to finish another exciting passage of combination play. The passes were unselfish and well timed and the team benefited.
Ten minutes into the second half Jodie played an excellent ball out wide to Alisha Cooper who had an excellent performance and shot on goal which hit the post where Madi had read the play well and was in position to finish it off, taking the Fire score to 4.
In the 67th minute the Gap executed well on an attacking corner and put the ball into the net from close range.
Players of the Match: Brooke Matheson for her ‘rock solid’ performance at centre back and Teyana Bielby for her positioning, hard running and efforts up front.
