Match Reports – 18 & 19 July 2015

Match Reports – 18 & 19 July 2015

Under 12 Boys

Palm Beach SC (5) v Sunshine Coast Fire (2)

Fire travelled to in-form Palm Beach, playing in breezy cool conditions on a very poor sub-standard playing surface.

An unusually poor first half cost the Fire with Sharks’ very physically strong and dominant in midfield and they battled hard and pressed Fire early. An early strong tackle saw Jack Williams leave the field early.

Sharks scored in the 1st minute after Fire defended poorly and failed to clear from a corner. (0v1, 1min)

Another corner and poor defending saw Palm Beach double their lead, when an unmarked player entered the box and left alone to head home from close range. (0v2, 10mins)

Fire were rattled and Palm Beach clearly wanted this game. This meant Fire’s strong defensive unit weren’t calm and made distribution errors under pressure. Fire’s midfield didn’t control the game as they can, seeing them caught in possession.

Palm Beach grabbed their third after a through ball and a good finish. Ten minutes later we were 4-nil down after another through ball and Palm Beach striker chipped GK Bright. (0v4, 24 mins and HT)

Ethan Petcos received a Yellow card on 29 minutes for a shoulder to shoulder challenge.

Unfortunately Fire didn’t convert and Palm Beach grabbed the next goal, their 5th after GK Bright parried a good shot, and the rebound was tapped in. (0v5, 37 mins)

Fire showed an excellent piece of skill in the 47th minute. A long free kick aiming for Debbage found its mark after he had timed his run nicely to avoid offside and get beyond the last Palm Beach defender. Jake opened his body up, and used the pace of the ball as he steered a volley passed the GK. (1v5, 47 mins)

Fire continued to press and two minutes later Debbage beat his man on the LW and crossed to Matt Gaske, who squared the ball out to Sunny Law who smashed the ball high into the net. (2v5, 49mins)

Player of the Match: Liam Macmillan

 

Under 13 Boys

Palm Beach SC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (2)

A third highly competitive match in a row for the Sunshine Coast Fire against a usually resilient Palm Beach Sharks side.

Sunshine Coast Fire 13 Boys started well and looked dangerous early on keeping Palm Beach penned in their own half. However, as the game settled down the Fire lost their early dominance and the Sharks played themselves into the match, competing well with the Fire midfield by winning more second ball. This resulted in more pressure on the Fire defence as the Palm Beach forwards pressed down the wings. Eventually, the Palm Beach were rewarded with a well deserved goal on 28 minutes. Palm Beach played the ball into the edge of Sunshine Coast’s box. Under pressure, Eze Hawkins attempted to direct his header back to the Fire keeper, however, the ball fell short and the Palm Beach forward intercepted and lifted the ball over and past the stranded Lucas Terpcou in goal. A fabulous volley by Brok Ross was about the only highlight of a poor first half from the Fire.

An inspirational team talk at half time by the Fire Coach sent a rejuvenated team out onto the pitch. How well did the boys respond by unleashing their high tempo, competitive game on Palm Beach. Wave after wave of pressure by a much more cohesive Fire team pushed the Sharks back and only the woodwork and some excellent saves by the Palm Beach keeper kept the Fire out. Surely it would only be a matter of time before the Fire would score. Ten minutes into the half saw a good passage of play result in a quick one two between Jack Beardsley and Sam Aitkin on the edge of the Palm Beach. This gave Beardsley just enough space to drive into the box, beat the last defender and smash his shot past the Shark’s keeper to level the score. Sunshine Coast Fire continued to dominate the play and finally their efforts were rewarded with five minutes of the match remaining. The goal came from great work by Luke Varga on the right wing and a brilliant cross into the box, which was met with a fantastic header by Sam Aitkin. Aitkin’s directed header powered past the Palm Beach keeper to put the Fire into a two one lead and win the game.

Player of the Match: Sam Aitkin – a strong performance leading the forward line holding the ball up well and laying off some great incisive passes. Capped off a great game with a fantastic winning header.

 

Under 13 Girls

Olympic FC (0) v Sunshine Coast Fire (0)

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Under 14 Boys

Palm Beach SC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (4)

Off the back of a decisive win against Brisbane City last week, the Fire must keep momentum and make every game count to finish strong in this final round of games. The team started slow against Palm Beach last round and it would prove no different for this fixture either.

The team had been instructed to inject intensity for the first 10 minutes of the game to get an early lead and to build on the game from there. However, Fire would make it hard for themselves by not finding the goal in the first half.

A foul tackle on Tom Whittaker in the box in the opening minute ensured a penalty kick, which was taken by Joseph Higginson; however the top corner shot was saved by Palm Beach’s GK.

A Yellow Card was awarded to Palm Beach in the 11th minute for a foul tackle.

Over the next 10 minutes, the Fire had several chances to finish into goal but none of them were finding their mark.

Palm Beach was trying capitalised on this by playing a fast paced game that would put pressure on the Fire defence. Sloppy incomplete passes and being too complacent in front of goal by the Fire kept the score line at zero, when the team should have been at least three goals in front.

Sean Bentley was playing well in the midfield, with playing the ball quickly and then moving on.

Budd Baublys left a ball that went over the back line in the 29th minute, but the ‘out’ ball was not called by the referee, so Palm Beach swooped in to place a sweaty ball across goal and score into the back of the net. (0-1)

The Fire created a few more chances in the next 5 minutes, but again could not finish into the goal.

Knowing that the team was capable of better football, they were instructed at half time to make quicker decisions and limit themselves to two touch play that would create the time and space to finish off the opportunities. Looking after the ball with no fancy moves and working hard for one another would ensure a win.

The team listened to their instructions, as three minutes after half time, Owen Brader passed the ball for Daniel Cuttler to play and Tom Whittaker finished easily into goal. (1-1)

Again in the 40th minute, Daniel Cuttler beat several players to ‘Futsal Flick’ on for Oli Williams to drive a difficult ball with ease into the net. (2-1)

The Fire finally found their rhythm and was keeping the ball in their final third. Once on top of their opponents, the pressure was released and the Fire stepped up to play some nice Football.

Good distribution from GK Kurt Moore-Barnard in the 48th minute, led to Tom Whittaker flicking the ball on to Harrison Bowen who crossed the ball superbly in for Kaelan Debbage to finish into goal. (3-1)

In the 52nd minute, Budd Baublys made a great across field run to shut down an away player on the right wing and Harry Fletcher was good with his feet under pressure when he still managed to play the ball out of the corner on a few occasions.

Just before the full time whistle, Harry Fletcher would show great anticipation by playing the ball diagonally through the midfield to Harrison Bowen. Bowen then played Mackenar Bradfield and he short passed on for Owen Brader to find a willing participant in Kaelan Debbage to score into the right of goal. (4-1)

A slow scrappy start for the team, but once they stopped trying to force the ball and moved it forward, they were able to predict the play which led to more completed passes and therefore finishes into the goal.

Player of the Match: Harry Fletcher

 

Under 15 Boys

Palm Beach SC (6) v Sunshine Coast Fire (3)

A cool early morning start down at Palm Beach seemed to catch the Fire boys out as Palm Beach started strongly, putting plenty of pressure on our defence, which was unable to handle the intensity.

An early chance fell Palm Beach’s way as poor playing out was intercepted high up the field with a good shot well saved onto the bar by Lachlan Bosworth.

In the 5th minute Palm Beach took a deserved lead as another poor pass out of defence was intercepted by the Palm Beach winger who crossed for the striker to finish at the back post.

Before Fire could take stock some more poor defending on the left hand side allowed the Palm Beach winger in behind, who then made a strong run into the box and finished into the corner with the aid of a bobble over the keepers hands.

The Palm Beach pressure continued as Fire looked a little shell shocked and on 29 minutes the score line got worse with yet another poor pass out of defence being intercepted, allowing the Palm Beach  striker to beat Bosworth in a one on one.

Fire’s one chance of the first half came late on as Taj Suffolk was found by Mitchell Bridge with a fine long ball but the shot went just wide.

Half time couldn’t have come quick enough for Fire and it was a different looking side that came out in the second half.  Some good early intensity paid off with a fine goal from Tyson Williams into the top left corner after some good combination play between Tom Croft and Terone Wattegedara.

For the next 10 minutes Fire put Palm Beach under some great pressure and were unlucky not to get some more goals as chances for Wattegedara, Williams Jared Schulz and Taj Suffolk were either put wide or saved.

Against the run of play, Palm Beach then scored a cracking goal as a ball was won through the middle and found its way to the Palm Beach left winger who put the ball into the top right hand corner from 30 yards.

Just two minutes later the match looked wrapped up as Palm Beach combined down the wing before a shot was firstly saved by David Payne but the rebound was ricocheted into the net to make the score 5-1.

Fire kept their head up and on 59 minutes another good ball from Tom Croft found Taj Sufflok, who was causing the Palm Beach defence all sorts of trouble. In a one on one with the keeper Suffolk finished well to get the score back to 5-2.

In the 61st minute Fire had a glimmer of hope once again after a corner was nodded down by Suffolk to Max Footitt who cracked a volley into the net from 15 yards.

The heat was taken out of the match after Palm Beach were awarded a very soft penalty in the 65th minute to make the score 6-3 which was how the match ended.

Player of the Match: Taj Suffolk

 

Under 15 Girls

Olympic FC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (1)

Following a solid week of training, the girls were looking very sharp going into their game against Olympic.

Throughout the match their passing in the midfield and final third was excellent, showcasing the girls’ skill and smart decision making on the ball.

They were quickly rewarded scoring a goal in the 8th minute. Jane Uebergang received a pass from Teyl Danger just outside the 18 yard box, which she shot and roofed the keeper on the far post.

Olympic responded in 31st minute, scoring off a penalty kick. The girls finished out the half very strong. Defence also did very well, shutting down passing lanes, making forward runs, and supporting the midfield.

Fire continued to play well in the second half, passing the ball well and working hard on both sides of the ball. Sommer Jordan also had a great game as keeper making multiple saves. In the end Fire finished with a draw, a good result against one of the top teams in the league.

Player of the Match: Jazlyn Salih

 

Under 16 Boys

Palm Beach SC (3) v Sunshine Coast Fire (1)

The last time these two teams met was at the same venue in early May when Fire blitzed Palm Beach in the second half to win 6-1 after going in 1-1 at half time. The ground was in good condition then but a few months further into the season the wear and tear was obvious and the sandy base was exposed in areas of most traffic.

Despite travelling away with a few missing from the squad, Fire were looking for an improved showing after last week’s disappointing outing.

Fire kicked with the cold SW wind, gusting at times, in the first half and although they had an energetic start did not settle and were rushing their game.

The speed of the Palm Beach right winger was causing trouble for the Fire defence and in the 4th minute a ball played in behind the Fire defence allowed the Palm Beach winger space and without being closed down he was able to select his teammate sitting at the top of the box in front of goal. The Palm Beach player receiving the ball also had time to select his spot and slotted home a low shot just out of reach of the diving Josh Wall to make it 1-0 to Palm Beach.

Having conceded another early goal, Fire struggled to stem the raids of the enthusiastic Palm Beach and had to defend consecutive corners in the 8th minute. Palm Beach were quicker to the ball and stronger in the tackle.

In the 12th minute Aidan Wall on half way on the left played a great diagonal ball in behind the Palm Beach defence for Addi Brader to meet in his stride but the advancing Palm Beach keeper closed the space well and Addi’s attempted chip went straight into the keeper’s arms as Addi did his best to keep his balance.

Fire enjoyed their best period in the first half and were able to force Palm Beach back deep into their own territory as they battled to get into the game.

Jack Bowen’s speed up front was causing the Palm Beach defence some trouble and two cynical fouls on Jack in the 20th and 30th minutes saw the referee produce a Yellow Card for only the second offence. Fire unfortunately could not take advantage of either free kick within striking range as first Ollie Blackmore and then Callum Jones had narrow misses.

Fire lost Kye Yamaoka-Chapman to injury in the 25th minute and were forced to re-arrange the team, leaving them with only one substitute on the bench for the rest of the match.

Despite this, Fire were building pressure and in the 33rd minute should have been rewarded with an equaliser when Matt Cann crossed from the right and a rampaging Addi Brader met the ball just inside the penalty box and drilled it into the net. The referee awarded the goal but reversed his decision when he consulted with the linesman who remained with his flag up and the call was offside.

In a cruel twist, four minutes later a Palm Beach attacker stole the ball from a Fire defender as Fire were attempting to play out from the keeper. The Fire defence was unable to close him down and he gleefully accepted the gift and slotted home to make it 2-0.

The score remained 2-0 at half time as the underperforming Fire looked to turn the game around in the second half.

In his second game back from an extended lay off due to injury, Josh Nisbet was introduced to give some structure as Fire were looking to resurrect their passing game. Fire played some good football at times but then let themselves down with poor pass completion as they gave the ball away too easily or tried to play too direct.

In another cruel blow to the Fire, as they enjoyed a resurgence in the game in the 70th minute, a Palm Beach player was able to beat a number of Fire players at the top of the box and found his teammate unmarked. He drilled the ball into the net to make it 3-0.

Fire to their credit kept trying to attack and in the 73rd minute Callum Jones found Jack Bowen in space on the right. As Jack closed in on goal he rifled a shot with his right foot which ricocheted off the Palm Beach keeper back to Jack on his left foot.  Jack lined up the left foot shot and the curved shot passed just inside the far post away from the desperate dive of the keeper to make it 3-1.

Fire were finishing strongly but were running out of time to salvage anything out of the game. In the 75th & 76th minute Palm Beach received their third and fourth yellow cards of the match desperate to do whatever it took to hold on for a win.

Player of the Match: Not awarded

 

Under 18 Boys

Western Pride FC (1) v Sunshine Coast Fire (6)

Sunshine Coast travelled to Western Pride looking to avenge last week’s disappointing result.

A Jordan Irwin set-peice found the well-timed run of Josh Chumbley who headed past the post. Sean de Chastel linked up with Jed Zanos to force a Rhyan Scriggins shot and be awarded with a corner.

Jordan Vieira tested the Western Pride goalkeeper from long range. Jordan Lloyd found Zanos who beat his man with quick feet and found de Chastel whose shot fell back to Zanos who missed the target.

Fire scored the opening goal after another Irwin driven set-piece fell to R.Scriggins who adjusted his body to volley into the back of the net.

After the break the Sunshine Coast scored the second goal of the match, Zanos drove into the box to pass to R.Scriggins who tapped into an empty net. Sunshine Coast scored the third goal of the game, after good combination play in midfield; Lloyd turned in the box and found the near post with a cheeky finish.

Substitute Luke Devitt split the defence to find Lloyd who was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty, R.Scriggins finished calmly to receive his hat trick. Substitute Cameron Nairn’s set-piece hit the post allowing de Chastel to tap in. Some more good work by Lloyd found de Chastel who finished with ease. In injury time, Western Pride scored a consolation goal after poor defending allowed a long shot to chip Aaron Smith in goals.

Player of the Match: Jed Zanos

 

Youth Women

Olympic FC (2) v Sunshine Coast Fire (0)

Fire had another match where the team struggled to build up and convert opportunities into goals. The first half in particular there were a number of shots on goal with unfortunately none finding the back of the net.

The result was in large part thanks to the Olympic goalkeeper who played very well and made a number of excellent saves to keep Fire scoreless.

Player of the Match: Kirra Guy

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