First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 v FNQFC Heat 4
FNQFC Heat has continued their winning streak after handing the Sunshine Coast Fire a third straight loss on Sunday at Stockland Stadium.
The Fire sought a return to the winners circle after defeats away to Moreton Bay, at home to Redlands and a disappointing defeat to local outfit Caloundra, however the team was without Captain Paul Arnison and defender Chiharu Kosuge. Heat managed to secure the points after a hat-trick from Alex Smith and a goal to Crios O’Hare, while Fire’s solo goal came from Japanese import Futa Nakamura late in the second half.
The first 30 minutes were a tight encounter. An opportunity fell to Ryan Delahunty for the Fire in the 5th minute, however Daniel Valcicak was up to the challenge saving well to his right. In the 20th minute Reyze Kelly was released down the right hand side for Fire and cut in onto his left foot to strike a pile driver which was denied by the woodwork.
In the 38th minute Heat mustered a first opportunity through the stand-out player Alex Smith, whose free kick skimmed the right hand post of Antony Hall’s goal. With Heat starting to take the initiative, Carroll was released down the left hand side in the final minute of the half to allow O’Hare a shot on goal. Fire’s Brock Messenger produced an excellent block, however the ball fell kindly back into the path of O’Hare to toe poke past the helpless Hall from 7 yards.
After the restart Heat maintained possession without looking too dangerous until Smith found space in between the midfield and back line to beat Zammit and drive the ball towards Hall’s goal. The ball cannoned off the cross bar, bouncing behind the goal line missed by the referee however picked up by the linesman to put Heat two goals ahead.
Smith put on a master class of football in the remainder of the half, showing why he could cut it with Gold Coast and Phoenix. He struck his second of the game in the 52nd minute after Carroll again put in good work to get to the by line, and cut back to find Smith unmarked on the six yard box to finish into the left-hand corner.
The Fire to their credit showed good character to get back into the game on the 70th minute when Nakamura continued his goal scoring streak, ruthlessly finishing into the bottom left-hand corner from 16 yards.
With the wind at their backs and renewed enthusiasm Fire threw everything at Heat’s goal. Another terrific save by Valcicak and a miss from Delahunty in the 82nd minute prevented Fire from narrowing the margin.
In the 90th minute Smith once again to showed his class in front of goal, delicately placing the ball into the far corner of Hall’s left hand goal to complete his hat-trick and seal the result at 4-1.
The Fire will have a much needed bye next week; an opportunity for the young squad to regroup and get influential injured Captain Arnison and defender Kosuge back to fitness for the visit of reigning champions Olympic in Round 10.
Open Women’s Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 v UQ 5
The Fire had a great star to the game; maintaining the majority of possession and passing well. The midfield was able to create several openings for forwards Samara Christmas and Gemma Hauck, who looked dangerous. However Fire was unable to capitalise on the positive start and UQ started to impose themselves on the game, and scored shortly before half-time in a goal mouth scramble.
The Fire conceded again in the 50th minute and was unable to get the passing game going against a very experienced and well organised side. UQ dominated the game from this point and the Fire girls found it difficult to get out of their half. A spirited second half still produced some attacks but UQ proved to be strong in defence and in going forward.
The Fire Open Women’s Team will next take on The Gap at home on May 11.
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 2 v Roar WWL 3 at Stockland Stadium
Fire Under 15 Boys again took on the Roar WWL, although this time an older, stronger Roar team secured the three points after a tight contest.
Fire started well, creating a few half-chances early in the game; on the third minute Jack Bowen drove down the right to deliver a great ball for Kobe Fuller to hit first-time and force the Roar keeper into a great save. On the 10th minute Fire again had a chance as Abe Reeves drove from right-back to beat a few players and take a thunderous shot which was denied by the woodwork.
Impatience began to affect Fire 20 minutes in and caused a loss of structure as the boys started to chase the ball instead of sticking to the game-plan. This opened up space for the Roar’s strong midfield who began to dominate. On the 23rd minute the Roar played a ball in behind Fire’s defence to their striker who took a few touches and slotted the ball in to give Roar a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later nice combination play from Roar opened up the midfield and defence for a Roar player to deliver a tidy finish and extend the lead to 2-0 going into half-time.
Fire was much better in the second half, showing hunger and desire to win the ball back. In the 42nd minute Abe Reeves beat his marker down the line to drive to the by-line and slide a ball into the box for Ty Dawson to calmly finish past the Roar keeper. The Roar fought back and in the 58th minute Katrina Gorry placed a great finish over keeper Tom Anderson’s head from 25 yards out to bring the score to 3-1. Just over ten minutes later Bowen drove down the right and crossed to Kye Yamaoka-Chapman to poke past the keeper and put the Fire back in the game. Fire had numerous chances to level the game with Bowen, Fuller and Dawson all having opportunities, but an equaliser remained elusive. In the last ten minutes of the game, Fire peppered the Roar goal and Kobe Fuller had a brilliant chance only to be denied by a spectacular save from the Roar keeper.
Man of the Match: Kobe Fuller
