First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 v Northern Fury 0
Sunshine Coast Fire are out of NPL Queensland Finals contention after drawing nil-all with Northern Fury at Kawana Soccer Club on Sunday afternoon.
Neither side managed to take the lead with limited clear-cut chances in the wet and blustery conditions that saw both sides struggled to settle in the opening exchanges.
A series of piercing runs from James Verdin offered Fire chances from free-kicks and corner midway through the half while Fury worked hard to clear their lines.
Fury created chances of their own toward the end of the half as Kevin Fraser and Braedyn Crowley began to combine, however the final pass proved elusive.
While the opening stanza offered no clear cut opportunities, the match opened up more in the second half.
On 55 minutes, Fire captain Paul ARnison fed Jordan Miller’s run through the heart of Fury’s defence, only for Fury to close down the opportunity.
After the hour, Arnison again split the Fury backline to supply Miller, who couldn’t slot his shot past Fury goalkeeper Matthew Symes.
Futa Nakamura combined with Brady Cronk minutes later, only for the Japanese forward to direct his shot straight at Symes.
Fury pushed hard in the final ten minutes but were unable to convert a series of half chances as the match petered out.
The result leaves Fire in eighth place in the standings and are now out of contention for the NPL Queensland Finals Series.
Sunshine Coast Fire 0
Northern Fury 0
Open Women’s Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 v The Gap 4
A last away game of the season against newly crowned SEQWPL Champions, The Gap, was always going to be a tough game. The Gap showed why they are champions with a 4-1 victory.
Fire started well and took an early lead through top-scorer Samara Christmas a powerful drive from the edge of the area. Fire looked dangerous going forward and had chances to double the lead, but unfortunately could not convert the opportunities.
The Gap had a lot of possession but did not create many chances early in the game. A long range strike in the 40th minute allowed The Gap to equalise and then a defensive mix up gave the home team a 2-1 lead.
Despite being under a lot of pressure Fire defended well,with Marceena Hunter and Alex Psarros outstanding. The forwards continued to create chances; Kirsty Clifford hit the bar twice and sent a header just over the bar.
Two goals in the last ten minutes secured the game for the Gap, however Coach Dave Bensted said is the Fire had taken their chances it could have been a closer contest against The Gap who are worthy champions of the SEQWPL.
