First Team:
The Fire First Team let an early lead slip to go down 4-2 to the Strikers at Perry Park in Round 2 of the NPL senior men’s competition.
From the starting whistle the Fire played with intensity and purpose, creating numerous chances and dominating possession. Matt Needham and Jayke Cuschieri both had goal-scoring opportunities, while
Fire striker Ryan Delahunty was unlucky not to get himself a brace before half time after his speed caused problems for the Strikers’ backline. Despite these chances the Fire went into half-time with a 0-0 score line.
The Fire returned to the field with the same determination in the second-half, and in the 48th minute Matt Needham put a ball over the top for Ryan Delahunty to turn on the turbos, split the defensive partnership of the strikers and slot a goal into the bottom corner.
The Fire kept creating chances in search of a second goal, however the Strikers’ Jheison Macuace nipped in to tap a goal in from a Josh Taylor pass and equalise the score line.
Lapses in concentration from the Fire allowed the Strikers to score another three goals in the 62nd, 70th and 80th minutes. The game was all but wrapped up but the Fire continued to work hard, and in the 90th minute good work from James Verdin released the tireless Ryan Delahunty with quality through-ball which he ran onto to finish with his right foot at the near.
Man of the Match: Ryan Delahunty
Under 18 Boys:
The Fire players began the game with a lack of work rate and desire to close down the opposing team, which the Strikers quickly capitalised on. Jesse Weiness scored on the third minute and then went on to wrap up a hat-trick in the 32nd and 37th minutes. The Fire created some chances as well and in the 39th minute Jesse Wilson picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and took on the opposing left back to dispatch a great individual effort into the back of the net. This goal put the Fire back in the game, but another Strikers goal in the final minute meant the Fire went into the sheds at half-time 4-1 down.
The injury-ravaged Fire team returned to the field with much more determination. Midfielder Lewis Reibel made a promising debut while Wilson once again made some menacing runs and Chris Terpcou put in a man of the match performance. However this was not enough to stop the Strikers from extending the lead in the 69th and 90th minutes.
Coach Paul Arnison said although the team had a number of injuries, this could not be used as an excuse for the game’s result.
“We gave the ball away in good positions too easily,” he said.
“We looked like a team that had never played together, and we really need to lift our performance. We created chances, but to concede goals in the third minute and the final minute of each half is disappointing.”
Men of the Match: Chris Terpcou and Jesse Wilson
Under 15 Boys:
The Fire Under 15 Boys went into the match against the Strikers feeling reasonably confident, however poor passing, communication and marking meant the boys saw very few chances in the first half. The Strikers took the lead in the 4th minute after a ball was played out and fell to an unmarked Strikers player outside the box to smash in a long-range shot. Just five minutes later the Strikers won a corner and a lack of marking meant a loose Strikers player was able to tap the ball in.
In the 20th minute the Strikers went three goals up after launching a long-ball to the winger over the Fire defence. The winger cut in and beat a Fire defender to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Coach Daniel Carew said the boys weren’t working well together in the first half and lacked their usual desire.
“We were outplayed in the first-half with little to no attempts on the opposition’s goal,” he said.
The Fire regained some determination and came out strong in the second-half; Ty Dawson went 1v1 with the Strikers’ keeper in the first 30 seconds, but unfortunately hit his shot straight at the keeper.
In the 42nd minute the Fire’s efforts were rewarded as Bowen latched on to a great through ball from Jez Lofthouse and pushed it past his opponent for a composed finish.
The Fire maintained pressure, creating several more chances. Jack Bowen, Ty Dawson and Kobe Fuller all had opportunities but were unable to finish. Great link-up play from Jez Lofthouse, Dawson and Bowen saw a shot sail just over the bar.
The Strikers held on to the 3-1 lead to win the first match-up between these two teams.
Man of the Match: Jack Bowen
Under 15 Girls:
The top-of-the-table Fire Under 15 Girls secured their fourth straight NPL win against Souths Strikers on Sunday at Perry Park.
The girls once again put on a great display of football, playing out from the back and passing well. Madi Warren opened up the scoring with a goal in the first minute and was quickly followed by Lisa van Hooijdonk in the 7th minute as she collected a through-ball from Teena Hartwig, cut in and slotted in a shot from the 18-yard box. Michelle le Roux wrapped up the rapid period of scoring in the 9th minute with a powerful low shot into the bottom corner.
With a 3-0 lead just ten minutes in, the Fire continued to play well defensively. Goal keeper Katie Offer made a brave save, diving under a Souths player’s sprint approach.
In the 33rd minute the Fire extended the scoreline as Warren drove in a free-kick from the left corner of the penalty area. Just two minutes later van Hooijdonk added another goal to the Fire’s tally as she made run down the left wing and took a shot into the top-left of the goal.
The Fire went into half-time with a comfortable 5-0 lead.
After the restart the girls continued to dominate possession and create chances, with a number of shots sent wide or hitting the crossbar.
Offer remained solid in goal making some great saves. She was supported by great defensive work from the backline and in particular Holly Vidulich who prevented an almost certain Souths goal.
In the 68th minute le Roux received a great pass from Jodie Nugent and crossed in to Sophie Tiver to slot home for the Fire’s sixth goal. However, just five minutes later Souths finally got on the scoreboard after being awarded a penalty.
The girls finished off the game with a comfortable 6-1 lead after a great game.
Player of the Match: Katie Offer
Under 14 Boys:
The Under 14 Boys Fire took on top-of-the-table Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park in what was sure to be a tough match.
The Fire took control in the first-half and gained a goal advantage in the 33rd minute as some great build-up play saw a ball played to Tom Croft on the edge of the box. He took a touch forward and drilled the ball into the net with a great finish.
After the restart the Fire quickly secured a second goal as James Robinson made a great run down the right wing, taking on the Strikers’ defenders, before playing a wonderfully placed through ball to Jesse Gibbs to slot into the bottom corner.
The Strikers fought back and in the 56th minute pulled a goal back to decrease the Fire’s lead to one goal.
Both teams continued to work hard for goal opportunities, Aidan Vitale had an opportunity just two minutes later after beating the Striker’s defenders but unfortunately his shot from 6-yards went straight to the keeper, while in the 64th minute a Strikers shot was denied by the crossbar.
With just five minutes to go the Strikers put a ball through to the edge of the box for a player to take a touch and drill the ball into the net, evening the score to 2-2.
Man of the Match: Jesse Gibbs
Under 13 Girls
The Fire started the game fantastically, keeping the ball well, moving it quickly and getting into wide positions effectively. Jazlyn Salih caused all sorts of problems for the Souths Strikers defence and scored a great first goal as she took one touch to control and then put a strong strike into the bottom corner.
Hannah Taylor and Meisha Westland worked tirelessly and both advanced the Fire’s lead in the first half. Taylor pounced on a ball which rebounded off a defender to place it in the bottom corner.
Meisha collected a Souths’ keeper save to shoot over the keeper and defenders into an empty net.
Lissa Taft was strong down the right wing against the Souths fullback, and overall the girls had a very strong half.
In the second half the girls still kept up the good football and the Fire was unlucky not to go 5 or 6 up. A miss-hit shot allowed Emily Bolland to tap in the Fire’s fourth goal. The girls remained composed and continued to create chances, but Souths launched an attack and a player was able to loop a cross over Fire keeper Sommer Jordan into the far corner of the net.
The Fire held on to the 4-1 lead for the remainder of the game to secure three wins from three games in the 2014 NPL season so far.
Coach Tom White congratulated keeper Sommer on her performance and said she had pulled off some great saves.
“The most impressive thing about today’s game, however, was the speed with which we moved the ball and how good we were going forward,” he said.
Players of the Match: Sommer Jordan and Lissa Taft
Under 12 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 3 v Brisbane Strikers 5
The Fire Under 12 Boys had another high scoring games as they matched the opposition for most of the game. But just like last week, it was a short period of the game which cost the boys dearly – this week it was 3 goals in 3 minutes.
Sunshine Coast started well and dominated early in the game so there was no surprise when Kye Stopka opened the scoring with a sweet left foot shot to the keeper’s left, after a nice move.
Strikers started to settle but the Fire matched them with quality midfield play. The Strikers’ goals in the 15th, 16th and 17th minute made it hard for the Fire again, however like last week the team bounced back and started to look good quickly.
Just before half-time, Jack Beardsley finished well from inside the box after great work from Colby Robinson.
The Fire was optimistic going into the second half and the game remained even as both teams played good football. The Strikers scored just after half-time, but the Fire was quick to peg a goal back as Kye Stopka scored his second of the game in the 34th minute.
With just 20 minutes left in the game and a score line of 3-2 to Strikers, the Fire continued to play well and look for an equaliser. However unfortunately the equalizer didn’t come and it was Strikers who scored the last goal of the game bringing the final score to 5-3.
“Another very short period defined the game,” Coach Peter Higginson said.
“Those 3 minutes shouldn’t over shine the good performance from all the players, but the fact is those 3 minutes today made it very hard for us. We have to learn to stay alert defensively for the whole 60 minutes and especially at key moments in the game – like when we have just conceded.”
“The style of play and attitude were good again and I am pleased with the team’s performance as we played good football against a strong team.”
Man of the Match: Ezekiel Hawkins
