Under 18 Boys
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 v Brisbane Strikers 3
The Under 18 Fire team did not look like a side fighting to retain their League Champion’s status as they put in a disappointing first-half performance against third-placed Brisbane Strikers. The Fire boys could not find their tempo or get their passing game going, and they struggled to close down the opposition in all areas of the pitch.
Strikers were very well organized Brisbane Strikers and capitalised on chances in the 8th and 20th minutes to go into the half-time break leading 2-0.
Coach Paul Arnison made changes during the break and Fire returned to the fields with 3 at the back and a more attacking formation up front.
The second-half saw a much-improved performance as Fire created a string of chances without reward.
Unfortunately it was Strikers who again scored in the 85th minute, bringing the score 3-0 for the remaining minutes.
Coach Paul Arnison said Gabriel Dennis’ desire, energy and work rate made his the stand out performance and goalkeeper Brendan Martin also made some valuable saves.
“Our team has four very important games remaining” said Arnison.
“We can still win this league and the remaining performances will help in my planning for next season.”
Man of the Match: Gabriel Dennis and Brendan Martin
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 2 v Brisbane Strikers 0
In a top of the table clash, the Fire had the chance to peg back league leaders, the Brisbane Strikers. After a disappointing loss to the Strikers the last time they played, the Fire were certainly up to the task on a windy exposed field.
The Fire boys started brilliantly, dominating the opening exchanges with a strong breeze at their backs. Fire’s ball movement and resulted in a number of early corners. This early pressure was rewarded with a penalty in the 5th minute after a Striker’s defender handled Thomas Swane’s cross. The Strikers keeper made a great save to keep Fire at bay, however Fire was not to be denied and took the lead two minutes later.
After a short corner on the right-hand side, good inter-play from Jordon Vieira and Sean Pateman saw Pateman find an unmarked Swane on the left-hand edge of the penalty area. His unstoppable left-foot drive found the top right-hand corner of the goal.
Fire dominated the next 15 minutes with 7 corners and opportunities for Alex Van Kampen, Timi Ajibola and Ari Easton. Van Kampen hit the crossbar and saw two other great strikes just sail wide of the goal.
Fire was so dominant that keeper Luke Marker did not get a touch of the ball until the 22nd minute mark, however Fire could not convert this possession into a second goal. Just prior the half-time break, the Strikers began to string some passes together and had their first real effort on goal. Good defence from Josh Chumbley playing out of his normal position saw the Strikers held at bay.
Coach Ben Cahn used his half-time address to focus on the need to play smart and out close games after Fire gave up a good lead the week before to draw with Brisbane City.
The Fire boys took this on board and responded by taking a 2-0 lead in the 49th minute.
After Ajibola was fouled near the half-way line, Jordan Vieira showed good thinking to take a quick free-kick and find an unmarked van Kampen with a smart diagonal pass. Van Kampen provided silky skills to control the ball away from the advancing keeper and slot it into the vacant Strikers’ goal.
The Strikers players then enjoyed their best period of the match as they searched for a goal to get themselves back in the game. However, Chumbley and Tyler Morse were resolute in the centre of defence and repelled the Strikers attacks. At the other end, Sean de Chastel got on to the end of a good Cameron Nairn cross but couldn’t direct his header. Easton, Nairn and Van Kampen showed intelligent play with possession-based football in the attacking third to run down the clock and secure the Fire a valuable three points against the league leaders.
This puts the Fire one point behind the Strikers with a game in hand. Two important games against Olympic will be the next challenge as the Fire seek the premiership title.
Man of the match: Josh Chumbley – Playing out of position at centre back but looked assured and was strong in repelling all attacks.
Under 15 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire 3 v Souths Strikers 1
League leaders Fire took on fifth-placed Souths Strikers at Stockland Western fields on Sunday, securing a 3-1 win. They welcomed back Kirra Guy for her first game since recovering from a torn hip-flexor for six weeks.
The Strikers started with great intensity and put the Fire girls under constant pressure for the first 10 minutes.
Fire’s first clear-cut chance fell to Jodie Nugent, who received a cross from Michelle le Roux and took a shot, only for the ball to rebound of the left post.
On 12 minutes Fire took the lead as Guy made an excellent cross to le Roux who finished well.
Five minutes later Sophie Tiver went 1 v 1 and crossed to le Roux who finished with a spectacular volley.
On 24 minutes, Madi Warren rounded out the scoring with well-struck penalty for a hand-ball infringement.
The match however belonged to goalkeeper Katie Offer, who made five outstanding saves and played a commanding role leading the defensive effort. The only goal conceded was off a rebound from a save under pressure moments earlier.
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 5 v Brisbane Strikers 0
After a brilliant midweek win away against ladder leaders Olympic, the Fire Under 15 Boys looked to continue their good form and push for the premiership against a strong fourth-placed Brisbane Strikers outfit.
After the Strikers struck first blood against Fire back in round four Fire responded in Round 16 as convincing winners so this match would settle the rivalry.
The teams took to the field in very windy, difficult conditions. Fire started against the wind, struggling to get good possession early as Olympic pressed quite high and forced Fire to skip the midfield early. This saw Strikers picking up a lot more possession, however they were not able to generate any good attacking plays due to the collective hard work of the Fire’s defensive structure and both teams seemed to cancel each other out.
A free-kick from Reis Hanton broke the deadlock as he found Kobe Fuller free in the box to nod the ball over the keeper for Jack Bowen to finish from close range and give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
This goal seemed to spark the game into life with both sides then opening up and looking to take risks. On the 26min mark Strikers had their first clear-cut chance when the ball fell to a free player 6 yards out, who and blasted it towards the goal only to be denied by the brilliant reflexes of keeper Josh Wall.
Two minutes later Fire almost doubled the lead when awarded a free-kick 20 yards out. Callum Jones delivered a superb curling shot that beat the keeper but crashed into the crossbar.
The Strikers pressed for an equalizer towards the end of the half and Fire made a few poor errors with some wayward back passes and some panicked clearances. This put the Fire under a bit of pressure in patches but the boys were able to hold onto the lead going into the break.
Coach Dan Carew spoke to the boys at half-time about needing to be more positive in possession.
“Too many times we were putting ourselves under pressure by playing back when we had options in advanced areas and this was causing us to panic,” he said.
“We also spoke about the need to be aware that we had the wind in our back in the second-half and if Strikers were pressing us high and we were unable to play out, Josh Wall was to look for our fullback who would be high and wide to be the outlet.”
The Fire started the second-half well with some good early pressure and interchanges of play down both wings. Bowen and Fuller were linking up well and it was only going to be a matter of time before one of them found themselves on the score sheet.
On the 53rd minute Bowen did just that, scoring his second when the ball fell to him and he blasted it into the back of the net with his right foot.
After some good build-up play a chance fell to Josh Nisbet but his shot/cross was off target. Jones then had a great opportunity to extend the lead when he found himself in the box as Fuller’s cross deflected and landed in his path, however his shot was also just off-target.
The Fire continued to dominate the second-half and this lead to a flurry of goals late in the half, on 73 minute Fuller’s shot was cleared off the line only to fall into Jae Warren’s path and he cooly converted. On the 76th min Fuller showed why he is the league’s top goal scorer; when the ball fell to him he took one touch then rifled a stinging volley from 30 yards out to leave the keeper grasping at thin air. In the 78th minute Fuller laid off a ball for Jez Lofthouse to release a curling 30 yard screamer into the back of the net that left everyone speechless and brought the final score to 5-0 in the Fire’s favour.
Carew commended the boys on their efforts, particularly goal keeper Josh Wall.
“The first-half was very even and if it was not for Josh Wall we would have had a lot of hard work to do; he kept us from conceding with some brilliant saves.”
“We had a lot of chances to go further ahead; Bowen could have had two more goals but was just unlucky in the first-half.”
“Jones’ work rate and defending today were also unbelievable he has come a long way and really has made that left back position his own. The back four also deserve credit for another clean sheet; they’re getting stronger with every game. Our front line performed well too, they are relentless and we know if we need a goal we are going to get it, it’s just a matter of who it will be because they are all in form at the moment.”
Man of the Match: Josh Wall and Callum Jones
Under 12 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 2 v Brisbane Strikers 1
The Fire Under 12 Boys took on Brisbane Strikers on Sunday in breezy conditions at Stockland Western Fields.
Fire was playing into the wind in the first half, something the team had talked about before the game. The Fire boys executed on their plan by keeping the ball down, getting it wide early and looking to play as a passing unit. This meant Fire had a strong first half, controlling the game and conducting good passing moves which put pressure on Strikers.
Fire’s first goal came early as a neat move saw the ball played to Kye Stopka on the edge of the box. He received the ball with his back to goal and managed to turn well before shooting into the net for Fire to take a deserved early lead in the 6th minute.
The pressure continued and on 19 minutes Fire doubled the lead. A passing move down the right flank finished with a looped ball through from midfield. Stopka saw the opportunity and raced onto it before striking the ball over the keeper.
The defence had to be on guard throughout dealing with passes in the swirling wind and quality opposition attackers. Joel Tuite, Brodie Boyce, Cody Pyne and Rory Stenhouse defended the attacking Strikers effectively – building a solid foundation in the first half.
Goal keeper Ben Potter was called into action a few times, including pulling off a good save with his legs in a 1v1.
The Fire boys were confident going into the second-half however it turned out to be a scrappy affair as Fire failed to find the fluidity of the first-half.
Strikers made the Fire work hard and the two teams evened each other out – both giving the other very little time on the ball.
Strikers were the next to score in the 59th minute, with some fortune in the right corner followed by a looping high cross underneath the cross bar. Potter palmed the ball out but there was a Strikers player on hand to tap the ball home and bring the score to 2-1.
The last 10 minutes could have been difficult, but Fire re-focussed and didn’t really look like conceding another, especially when Luke Varga and Sam Fleming ran with the ball on the wings taking the pressure off and creating some chances. Fire saw out the game with a 2-1 lead and took the three points.
Coach Peter Higginson said his team collected a deserved win with the first-half as a highlight.
“It’s easy for us all to forget how good the NPL is,” he said “And strikers are a strong team – only losing four games before Sunday (and one of them to us). I reminded the boys after the game about that because they have such high expectations of themselves.”
“Yes – we must continue to work hard and learn, but we must remember that every player is improving and that development is the focus, so well done boys on a great effort today. It was also fitting that Kye Stopka scored two goals in his farewell game. We all wish him well on his Spanish adventure.”
Man of the Match: Harry Arnison and Brodie Boyce. They showed strength and composure in the spine of the team and gave the team lots to build around.
