Under 13 Boys
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (4) v Brisbane Strikers (0)
After a week off with a bye, Sunshine Coast Fire hosted another of the top Brisbane teams, Brisbane Strikers, who were the last club to beat this talented Fire team, 54 weeks ago!!
The Sunshine Coast Fire were in no mood to let Strikers spoil this unbeaten run and after a shaky start the Fire ran out comfortable four nil winners extending their unbeaten run to 25 games and making it FOUR wins out of FOUR in this season’s NPL to go top of the table.
The early part of the game saw both teams evenly matched scrapping it out in midfield to take control of the game. The Brisbane Strikers looked dangerous down the right flank out of defence with the Sunshine Coast Fire unable to impose their usual dominant style on the game due to standing too far off their opponents.
On six minutes Fire’s first goal came from a good set-piece play corner, which Brisbane Strikers would have been disappointed in conceding due to competing well in the first quarter of the game.
After the drinks break at 16 minutes Coach Paul Arnison was able to give some clear instructions to the team about getting closer to their markers and competing harder for the first and second ball. The result was a stronger finish by the Fire team in the second part of the first half as they got a grip on the match in defence and midfield. The reward was a second goal on the half hour to take a two goal lead into half time
The Fire came out for the second half with a renewed confidence and dominated the half from start to finish. Solid performances by Brodie Boyce, Cody Pyne, Ezekiel Hawkins, Rory Stenhouse and Ewan Gordon nullified the Brisbane Strikers’ forwards as they pressed higher up the field to squash the space.
The midfield of Harry Arnison, Sam Fleming, Bailey Ratcliff and Jack Beardsley controlled the game with a mix of short sharp passing through the central channel and spreading the ball wide to the wingers. The forwards of Sam Aitkin, Luke Varga, Callum Pearce and Brok Ross pressed the Brisbane Strikers’ defence relentlessly with fast attacking football. The result was two goals in six minutes to put the game out of reach for a tiring Brisbane Strikers team. FOUR NIL to the Fire!!
Player of the Match: Jack Beardsley
Under 14 Boys
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (0) v Brisbane Strikers (2)
Having lost their previous three games this season, Strikers were keen to turn their form around. Fire on the other hand have been undefeated in their 3 games and wanted to make it a fourth and stay on top of the ladder.
From the first minute, the Fire team was finding it hard to have time on the ball and keep procession. The 3rd minute saw great chasing and intensity from Kaelan Debbage. Strikers GK saved a great strike at goal in the 5th minute from Daniel Cuttler then the tenth minute saw Harrison Hooper making some nice defensive tackles.
In the 11th minute, the Fire defence did not shut down an attacking run, which gave the Stikers a 1v1 with GK Nathan Foster; the ball was shot hard and low to open their scoring and make it 1-0.
Only 5 minutes later, a similar attacking run saw another 1v1 with GK Nathan Foster, but he was able to drop and get his left hand to it to make a crucial reaction save.
The seventeenth minute saw Mackenar Bradfield whip the ball in from the right wing – it ran across goal but unfortunately Daniel Cuttler was unable to get a foot on it.
Drinks break at the 20th minute, saw some substitutions made, but unfortunately the Fire midfield were getting carved up, allowing the Strikers the opportunity to get into the Fire’s half way too easily. A well-executed tackle from Harry Fletcher in the 28th minute stopped a Strikers’ attacking run.
In the first 10 minutes of the second half, Fire managed to hold onto the ball and play some nice football. Harrison Hooper was again solid in defence. However, the Strikers were hungrier and fought hard to regain momentum with the ball.
In the 42nd minute, GK Kurt Moore-Barnard put off the Strikers forward and deflected his shot whilst on the ground.
With some nasty tackles going under the referees’ radar, a free kick was finally awarded to the Fire in the 50th minute. Oli Williams unfortunately hit the wall and the ball went back into play.
After a play-out from the GK, the ball was turned over from the Fire defence and the Strikers player chipped the ball over the GK from 30 yards out to score their second goal. (2-0)
One of the few shots at goal from the Fire came in the 54th minute by Kaelan Debbage but it went over the cross bar.
The 59th minute, saw a great reaction save made by GK Kurt Moore-Barnard from a Strikers corner.
Unfortunately Fire didn’t hold their structure and were outpaced and over run when they did have procession. Scrappy passing and handing over procession of the ball cost the Fire dearly and they walked away with their first loss of the season.
Player of the Match: Harrison Hooper
Under 15 Boys
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (2) v Brisbane Strikers (2)
The first chance of the match fell to Fire with a free kick to Mitchell Bridge who couldn’t keep the shot from going just over the bar.
On 12 minutes an excellent break from the speedy right wing gave the Strikers an excellent chance but Fire keeper David Payne pulled off a tremendous double save to keep the score at 0-0.
In the 19th minute Fire took a 1-0 lead thanks to a well-crafted free kick that was passed through a static Strikers defence, with Terone Wattedegara finishing calmly into the corner of the net. It could easily have been 2-0 just a minute later as some good build up play saw Terone one on one with the keeper who did well to push the chance wide.
Fire were playing some great football through the first half, and could have added to the lead as first Tom Croft was denied from a half volley and then Terone headed wide from yet another set piece.
The Strikers came out full of running in the second half and started to get back into the match. First in the 1st minute a chance was put just wide, then in the 5th minute the Strikers were awarded a penalty after the Strikers player was bought down on the edge of the area. The spot kick went wide though.
Strikers continued to control the second half and equalized with an absolute cracking goal from Eoin Ashton. The ball fell to him 20 yards out and was smashed into the top corner. The goal seemed to get the Fire boys back into the match and just a few minutes later we restored the lead with a great header from Tom Croft.
The match became very entertaining from this point with the game flowing from end to end. Plenty of chances were being created at both ends and on 70 minutes it was the Strikers who equalized once again.
The best chances late fell to Fire, with a Max Footitt header being well saved on 74 minutes and in the final minute a pacy break down the right released the hard working Kurtis Modlin whose shot was deflected just wide.
In the end it finished 2-2 in what was a very exciting encounter, with both sides performing well.
Player of the Match: Terone Wattedegara
Under 15 Girls
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (2) v UQFC (3)
Going into the game we knew it was going to be a challenge. UQFC has done very well so far this season. However, we had lost some very close games and have played well so I believed we could give UQFC a good game and go for the win.
The girls started the game off strongly and were rewarded in the ninth minute with a goal. Pressure put on the defence and goalie by Annie Dennis resulted in a loose ball in front of the goal which Jazlyn Salih was able to capitalise on. However, a lack of defensive pressure in our midfield resulted in UQFC getting the ball and scoring at the top of our 18 quickly afterwards.
The girls fought back and Hannah Taylor scored in the 16th minute with a shot to the left corner.
Despite hard work by Fire, UQFC was able to capture another goal right before half time.
The second half was hard fought with both teams battling to score. The Fire girls’ defence in the midfield improved, frustrating UQFC and the Fire girls were able to build up an attack multiple times.
A corner kick by UQ at the end of the game curved and hit the far upper corner. An excellent shot by UQFC. Unfortunately Fire was unable to recover the goal and lost 3-2.
Player of the Match: Chloe Isbel
Under 16 Boys
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (1) v Brisbane Strikers (2)
Another kick off in humid conditions, saw overcast skies with occasional showers throughout the game. For the first 5 minutes neither team claimed ascendency but the momentum changed in the 7th minute. From a corner Strikers hit the crossbar with a strong shot and from then began to enjoy more territory as they pushed forward,
In the 10th minute Strikers were able to take advantage of a Fire defensive lapse and scored the opening goal.
The game swung back and forth as Fire tried to mount attacks. At times the Fire were stretched and were struggling to put the Strikers goal under real pressure.
Heavier rain returned at the 25th minute mark and made for scrappy football as the ball skidded across the wet surface as players struggled to control the ball at times. It was also a physical contest as tensions were raised on both sides, resulting in a Strikers player being shown a yellow card in the 34th minute for an overly strong challenge.
Half time eased the tension and allowed Fire to regroup, still 0-1 down. The rained cleared and the humidity returned.
The Fire boys came out much more determined in the second half and applied pressure on the Strikers’ defence.
In the 50th minute Fire had a good shout for a free kick at the top of the attacking box frustratingly flagged away by the referee.
Finally in the 64th minute the Fire boys were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty when Matt Cann was brought down in the box after he was put though on the right by a diagonal ball from Kobe Fuller. Kobe Fuller stepped up and made it 1-1 with a clean penalty strike into the net.
The Fire were pressing forward putting the Strikers under sustained pressure. In the 68th minute Kobe Fuller switched the ball to the right to Jack Bowen and his cross found Nick Kirkpatrick in the box but his header narrowly passed over the bar.
In the 70th minute Ollie Blackmore went on an individual run down the left after skinning two Strikers at close quarters and pulling off a nuttie on a third with a deft touch. His left foot cross should have been rewarded but there was no Fire player close enough to finish.
In the 75th minute Jack Bowen was fouled on the right side and Ollie Blackmore found Nick Kirkpatrick in the box with the free kick but again Nick’s header narrowly grazed the top of the crossbar.
The Strikers were lucky to finish with all eleven on the field as tensions mounted and a series of fouls by the same Strikers’ player who had been booked in the first half should have seen a second yellow card.
As the game drew on it was increasingly looking as if the two teams would most likely share the points. However Strikers made a late substitution and in the 78th minute, a rare attack on the Fire left side made it close to the backline and the fresh substitute made a near post run and scrambled the ball inside the post for the winner, despite close attention from the Fire defence.
Strikers knew they had gotten out of jail and celebrated like they had won a grand final.
As tough as that was for the Fire boys, they weren’t finished and mounted several late challenges which resulted in yet another free kick to the Fire. To the Strikers’ relief they were able to hold on until the final whistle and claim the narrow victory.
The coaches were proud of the second half showing, which also drew an honest post-match remark from the Strikers’ coach who said our boys had dominated the second half.
Player of the Match : Ollie Blackmore
Under 18 boys
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (2) v Olympic FC (1)
Sunshine Coast FC started the game slowly after a quickly taken corner, resulting in a great save by Aaron Smith. A couple minutes later Luke Devitt put a ball through to Andre Jancevski who beat the offside trap only to be tackled by the goalkeeper outside the box then the ball fell to Cameron Nairn who missed an open goal from 40 yards.
A quick passing play by the Sunshine Coast ended with Jancevski missing the target at back post. Another great save by Smith to deny a goal, then a block by Kelton Scriggins. Moments later Smith pulled off another great save in a 2v1 situation.
Great play by Devitt to beat three Olympic defenders to then play a split pass into Nairn who took a great first touch to chip the goalkeeper only for the ball to hit the side netting. More great combination play involving Jancevski, Nairn and Jordan Lloyd to set Jordan Irwin up for a shot from distance which works the goalkeeper. The first goal of the game came from a long ball into the box resulting in a collision between the Olympic defender and goalkeeper, leaving an empty goal for Irwin to finish.
The second half began with a fiery start from the Sunshine Coast straight from kick-off, a long diagonal ball into Glen Morris causing confusion between the Olympic back four ending with a shot rattling the post, Nairn then picked up the ball at left wing and drove into the box beating two defenders with quick feet to force a corner. A counter by Olympic from the resulting corner left Smith exposed at the back, however another quick reflex save kept the score at 1-0. Sunshine Coast were lucky to avoid an equaliser after risky defence in the box allowing a chance back post to go unpunished.
A fresh Ryan Scriggins came off the bench to play Irwin down the left and deliver a quality ball into the box, only for the defender to clear over the goal, narrowly avoiding an own-goal. After being left open at the back from the resulting corner, Olympic countered quickly to force a ball through the middle and create a 1v1 with Smith, this time unlucky not to get a finger tip on the ball, Olympic equalised with twenty minutes left to play.
A determined Rhyan Scriggins put pressure on the goalkeeper to tackle him in the box, only for him miss an open goal. Another chance from the Sunshine Coast fell to Nairn after a dipping shot from 25 yards out bouncing in front of the goalkeeper who fumbled. Quick passing from the Sunshine Coast midfield led to a chance for Ryan Scriggins to round the goalkeeper, only for it to be saved.
The match winning goal came from Irwin, who latched onto a flick by Nairn, who beat his man and drove into the box to smash the ball into the keepers near hand side. Another great reflex save by Smith to keep the lead followed moments later. Good movement in midfield by Nairn, Devitt and substitute Sean de Chastel to work an opening for Irwin, only to rush his shot and miss the chance to kill the game.
Fulltime score 2-1 to the Sunshine Coast, leaving them equal top on 9 points.
Player of the Match: Aaron Smith
Open Women:
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (0) v UQFC (3)
This was a very hard fought match played with passion and intensity by both teams.
UQFC did well to score in the 42nd minute off an excellent cross from the right hand corner to a centre who finished.
Fire were very unlucky not to score in the 65th minute after Dani White won the ball in the midfield through her trademark foot skills, making an excellent through ball to Sofie Persson who cut the ball in to Sam Christmas who won a 1 v 1 contest but was unable to finish under defender and keeper pressure.
UQFC scored their second goal in the 78th minute off an opportunistic high bouncing long shot from just inside the half that beat the Fire keeper.
The third and final UQ goal was scored directly off a very well taken corner, curling in to beat the Fire keeper on the far post.
The result was more a reflection of too many great Fire opportunities that didn’t find the back of the net and perhaps the team timing in transition being slightly off today rather than any lack of individual effort or commitment.
Player of the Match: Kayla Moore
Youth Women
Sunshine Coast FC Fire (1) v UQFC(3)
UQFC opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the first half after applying early pressure on defence and midfield players who missed a clearance.
Fire equalised 10 minutes into the second half after moving the ball through midfield to Brianna Hopa who made an outstanding run and won a 1v1 contest to score from the edge of the penalty area.
UQFC regained the lead in the 58th minute with a move up the middle of the ground and ten minutes later sealed the result scoring after a run up the right hand side got in behind the Fire defence.
Player of the Match: Jess Bender
