First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 v Redlands 2
Redlands United secured its first NPL win over Sunshine Coast Fire in blustery, wet conditions on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides sought a win after a draw for Redlands and a loss for Fire in Round 6.
Redlands was strong in the opening stages with the young Fire players hesitant in possession. After just two minutes a misplaced pass from Fire’s Paul Arnison went straight into the path of Nico Bechar, who was making his first appearance against his former Club. The speedy winger danced inside one challenge before bending a sublime effort into the top-left corner of the outstretched Hall’s goal.
The goal sparked a response from Fire to take the game to Redlands, however keeper Andrew Ralph in good form kept Ryan Delahunty, Matt Needham and Futa Nakamura out from close range. Redlands was threatening on the counter-attack through Rhys Meredith and Bechar, however did not trouble Hall for the remainder of the half.
The second-half saw Redlands begin to take control of the game. Graham Fyfe was instrumental in ensuring Redlands returned to their short pass-and-move game and soon terrific Fyfe through-ball released Meredith to go 1v1 with Hall, who saved terrifically with his right.
Redlands eventually found a break-through in the 57th minute as some slick one-touch football found Bow on the edge of the box to place the ball into the top corner of Hall’s left hand again and increase Redlands’ lead.
Fire, through the energetic Brock Messenger, started to use the strong wind at their back. Some good play from Nakamura found Messenger in the 81st minute to beat one defender and keeper Ralph to the ball and volley home from 6-yards.
The two teams traded counter-punches for the remaining 10 minutes; Meredith again broke free of Kosuge and Zammit to hit Halls’ woodwork and Messenger again caused problems down the right as he drew out Ralph and centred to Needham and Nakamura. The ball was slightly behind Needham and his attempt at goal fell straight into the arms of Ralph. Seventeen-year-old debutant Jed Zanos, who had a promising game, surged into the box late into the game as he struck the ball towards goal, only for Redlands’ defenders to block the attempt.
The game came to a close having lived up to the NPL’s tough reputation with inconsistent periods for both sides, defensive frailties, good goal keeping and missed opportunities.
Open Women’s Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 4 v Western Pride 0
A fourth win of the season against Western Pride kept the Fire in the top half of the table, although a 4-0 scoreline was a harsh result on Pride, who worked hard until the final whistle.
The Fire again started a little nervously in the second Stadium game, but a fifth goal of the season for Samara Christmas in the 24th minute helped to settle the nerves. The Fire had the majority of possession for the rest of the half but were unable to convert chances.
A first goal of the season for Summer McGladrigan in the 56th minute enabled the Fire to play with more confidence. Playing on a near perfect surface the Fire started to pass the ball with more purpose. Carmel Murphy-Pollard was involved in most Fire attacks and a 75th minute goal was a deserved reward as she slotted in a perfectly weighted chip from the edge of the area.
Gemma Hauck scored in the 90th minute to seal the result.
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 9 v Roar WWL 1
The Fire Under 15 Boys took on the Roar WWL for the first time in the NPL in a game in which the score line did not reflect the quality football played.
The Roar started strongly, keeping possession well in the first ten minutes. The Fire gradually gained a footing in the game and managed to score first as right winger Jack Bowen whipped a ball across goal for Kobe Fuller to chip past the Roar keeper.
This goal gave the Fire confidence to press forward and create chances. The Fire fullbacks made some clever runs to open up space for the wide players, leading to opportunities for Bowen, Ty Dawson and Kobe Fuller early in the game. Kobe Fuller chipped in a ball from Ries Hanton to seal his brace in the 36th minute and Callum Jones then delivered an inch-perfect cross to an unmarked Josh Nisbet to head past the keeper from close-range. Under 14s player Jesse Gibbs was next to score after Nisbet delivered a great ball in from the right-hand side for him to head into goal.
The Fire worked hard to maintain possession and prevent the Roar from gaining momentum. Keeper Tom Anderson produced some fantastic saves to keep the Roar scoreless into half-time.
The Fire started the second half well as Gibbs made a run down the right to deliver a ball for fellow Under 14s player Oli Duncan to strike into the bottom corner in the 44th minute.
In the 48th minute the Roar gained possession in the midfield and the player drove forward to play the ball to the right winger who cut in and finished from a tough angle for the Roar’s first goal.
The Fire fought back and Gibbs scored in the 56th minute with a second header from a Bowen cross. Bowen extended the Fire’s lead again in the 75th minute after intercepting a Roar pass and calmly finishing. Dawson scored the Fire’s eighth goal just two minutes later after making a strong run across his defender and placing a shot into goal. Man of the Match Gibbs sealed the scoreline and his hat-trick with a neat finish off a fantastic Fuller through-ball.
Coach Daniel Carew said he was impressed with his team’s effort.
“The two Under 14 Boys were fantastic and Man of the Match Jesse Gibbs’ composure, intelligence and confidence were impressive – you would not know he was a year younger than the rest of the team,” he said.
“Josh Nisbet and Callum Jones were both great as was Abe Reeves who was fill-in centre-back and was outstanding considering he had never played in this position before.”
Man of the Match: Jesse Gibbs
