First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 3 v Western Pride 1
Sunshine Coast Fire has secured its first win of the season in a tough 3-1 match against Western Pride.
The Round 3 match saw the return of Fire Captain Paul Arnison from suspension and the debut of Japanese import Futa Nakamura.
Both teams battled the heat and wind on the Stockland Stadium pitch in what was a physical, scrappy game in the opening minutes.
Fire coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said neither team played much football as the priority became trying not to concede when against the wind and trying to score while with the wind.
The Fire started to press higher after 15 minutes, forcing some errors and miss-hits from Western Pride. Opportunities fell to Matt Needham, Ryan Delahunty, Reyze Kelly and Futa Nakamura but they were unable to put the Fire on the board. Western Pride battled against the wind and saw few opportunities.
In the 39th minute a Brock Messenger played a ball in from the right-hand side which Western Pride failed to properly deal with; sub Matt Needham latched onto the poor clearance and took a striking shot at goal for opportunist Nakamura steer into the left-hand side of the keeper’s goal for his debut goal.
Both teams saw out the rest of the half without any further opportunities.
After the restart the Fire concentrated on soaking up the pressure from Western Pride. Some good work from Pride Captain Will Jordan down the left forced a number of corners while Ben Hunt was busy in the midfield.
The Fire started to gain control of the game and play more in Western Pride’s half, starting to look dangerous. In the 63rd minute Ryan Delahunty picked up a good through-ball from the midfield and cut back inside the Pride fullback to pick out Matt Needham at the far post to head into an empty net.
Western Pride continued to force corners and late in the second-half a corner-kick from the left-hand side struck the Fire’s Brock Messenger, deflecting the ball into his own goal.
Ryan Delahunty continued his early-season goal scoring form in the 86th minute, picking up the ball on the half-way line and outpacing one defender before cutting back to his left foot to finish calmly to the keeper’s left.
Fire Coach Kevin Evan’s said although the game wasn’t pretty it was great to secure the three points.
“Credit to the boys though in the wind, we managed to carve out a couple of opportunities and get a couple of goals,” he said.
A’herne-Evans also praised the work of Delahunty, who set up a goal and scored one of his own.
“In the wind like this you need ball runners like Delahunty, when they get the ball and just it run at you. When you try to pass that’s when you start to get into trouble because you can’t judge the wind so it’s hard to play into it, so you just have to get the ball to the feet of your ball runners and let them do what they do best.”
Open Women’s Team
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 v Easts 3
The Fire Open Women’s Team took on powerhouse Easts in the second round of the South East Queensland Women’s Premier League on Friday, March 14.
Coach Dave Bensted said playing against one of the competition favourites away on a Friday night was always going to be a big test.
Easts started the game with confidence, controlling possession and looking dangerous going forward. Once the Fire got used to the pace and physicality of the game the girls started to string some passes together and looked dangerous on the counter attack.
A corner in the 25th minute led to the opening goal for Easts; a very difficult ball for keeper Renee Rudder to deal with slipped just under the bar.
The Fire responded well and Kayla Moore made a powerful run only to have her shot cleared off the line. Samara Christmas then had two goal opportunities but unfortunately both her shots hit the bar. As half-time approached the Fire looked the more dangerous team and the most likely to score.
East gradually gained control in the second half but a stubborn defence marshalled by Marcena Hunter held out until the 75th minute when Easts added a second. The Fire with great determination and team spirit still had time to hit the bar after a great run from Kirsty Clifford, and stretching Easts defence.
The Fire fought until the final whistle, but Easts was able to score in the final minutes.
Under 18 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 10 v Western Pride 0
The Fire dominated the game from the onset, playing with purpose and intensity and dominating field position and possession. The boys created numerous chances and in the 20th minute Jordy Lloyd met a Matt Kennedy corner inside the box to put away the first goal of the game. Jessie Wilson was next on the score sheet after dribbling through a number of defenders to finish into the roof of the net. Just two minutes later Luke Devitt collected a through-ball from Gabriel Dennis, swivelled in the box and dispatched a shot to give the Fire a 3-0 lead before half-time.
The Fire continued to dominate in the second-half; an energetic Jordy Lloyd scored another four goals with the help of Matt Kennedy, Luke Devitt and Jesse Wilson. Devitt secured a hat-trick in the 65th and 85th minute and a perfectly positioned corner from Matt Kennedy forced the opposing keeper to parry the ball into his own goal.
Coach Paul Arnison said all the boys put in a great performance.
“Jordy Lloyd, Jesse Wilson and Luke Devitt were outstanding,” he said.
“The 10-0 score line consisted of some great individual goals and also some great team goals; even Brendan Martin (goal keeper) tried to get in on the scoring, hitting the opposition crossbar from his own box! It was also great to see us keep a clean sheet.”
Man of the Match: Jordy Lloyd
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 12 v Western Pride 0.
The Fire Under 16 Boys got off to a good start, using the ball well against a physical team which defended deep. Although dominating possession for the first 15 minutes, the Fire was unable to convert opportunities to goals. However on the 15 minute mark Tom Swane took an excellent corner to find an unmarked Sean de Chastel at the far post to volley from close range.
The Fire was using its defensive line to switch the point of attack and exploring both sidelines to get around the outside of the Western Pride defence. However, the second goal when it came in the 32nd minute was more direct with Timi Ajibola lobbing a delightful through-ball to Adam Edgar who slotted the 1v1 with the keeper. In the 40th minute, those two players combined again with Adjibola driving into the penalty box, beating three players and then passing to Edgar to tap in from two metres. Going into the half-time break at three nil up into a strong head-wind, the Fire was confident of a good second-half showing.
After the restart it was soon clear that Western Pride had spent a lot of energy chasing the ball in the first-half while the Fire maintained possession. The Fire was able to convert four more goals in the first 8 minutes of the second-half. Edgar scored one, Timi Ajibola two and Sean de Chastel one.
Western Pride was able to regroup after that onslaught and held out until the 60th minute when Cameron Nairn got on the scoresheet with a well taken goal. Three minutes later, Edgar scored his fourth after collecting the ball on the left-wing and cutting inside to shoot into the bottom left-hand corner from outside the penalty box.
Shortly afterwards, Tom Swane scored the goal of the day. Following good lead up work through the midfield with a series of first touches, Cameron Nairn provided a nice flick to Swane who hit a first-time chip from 30 metres to catch the goalkeeper off his line. There was still time for both Ajibola (76th minute) and de Chastel (78th minute) to complete their hat tricks.
With a final score line of 12 – 0, the Fire were able to significantly improve their goal difference which may be critical towards the end of the season. Goal scorers were Adam Edgar (4) Timi Ajibola (3) Sean de Chastel (3) Cameron Nairn (1) and Tom Swane (1).
Man of the Match – Adam Edgar
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 9 v Western Pride 2
After some interesting results from both teams over the past three fixtures, the Fire boys were looking to test themselves against Western Pride, who they will match up with another three times through the season.
The Fire started the match quite poorly, conceding the first goal within the first ten seconds of the game as a poor back-pass to keeper Tom Anderson allowed a Pride Striker to slot the ball in. The Fire was quick to fight back as Jez Lofthouse hit a half-volley from 20 yards out which dipped just under the crossbar. Just five minutes later a cross fell to Kobe Fuller to head the ball in from close range.
The Fire continued to dominate the game with some great full-back runs from Callum Jones and Abe Reeves which gave forwards Fuller and Jack Bowen lots of options to cause havoc for the Pride defence. Fuller was unstoppable on goal, scoring another four goals before half-time with the assistance of some great work from Josh Nisbet, Callum Jones and Jack Bowen. A brilliant save from Tom Anderson kept Western Pride to just one goal in the half.
After the restart the game became very scrappy with both teams struggling to get the ball down in the windy conditions. Returning Captain Mason Bell began to influence the game more with some great challenges and interceptions. In the 40th minute Western Pride managed to score a second goal after the striker latched on to a loose ball in the 6-yard box. Jack Bowen extended the Fire’s score line in the 62nd minute after receiving a pass from Ty Dawson to rocket a powerful finish into the bottom corner. Reeves and Bowen wrapped up the Fire’s scoring in the 79th and 80th minute to secure a comfortable win for the team.
Man of the Match: Kobe Fuller
Under 15 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire 3 v Western Pride 1
The Fire Under 15 Girls came away with another win against Western Pride to remain undefeated for the season so far after five fixtures.
The 33+ degree heat played quite a part in the match, however the girls did well to keep out a very determined opposition.
Aqua Meanie opened accounts for the Fire, after a switch of play to Jess Bender on the right allowed her to go 1v1 and deliver a short pass to Meanie to take an excellent shot into the top right-hand corner.
Madi Warren followed with another goal eight minutes later after intercepting a pass from the Pride keeper.
The Fire’s passing combinations and tactical marking of Western Pride made playing out from their goal kicks difficult. The Fire worked hard, in particular Sophie Tiver made many stand-out runs while Brianna Hopa was solid and reliable in defence and distribution of the ball.
The Fire’s final goal came ten minutes into the second-half after a good tackle and through-ball from Meanie to Tiver on the right wing allowed her to take a powerful shot into the goal. Western Pride’s only joy came from a penalty and the Fire was able to play out the game with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Players of the Match: Briana Hopa and Sophie Tiver
Under 14 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 4 v Western Pride 1
Fourth placed Fire Under 14 Boys secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over fifth placed Western Pride on Sunday.
The heat and wind once again made play difficult, but in the 20th minute striker Jesse Gibbs put the Fire on the scoreboard after collecting a brilliant through-ball from Aiden Vitale and lobbing the ball over the onrushing keeper.
The Fire extended the lead just eight minutes later as Vitale again put through an excellent ball for Taj Suffolk on the edge of the box who drilled his shot into the back of the net.
Defender Max Footitt took a free-kick in the 29th minute and reminiscent of his round 3 free-kick goal against Palm Beach, he took a powerful shot which rattled the crossbar. The Fire went into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
As the teams re-took to the field a break-down in defence saw the Western Pride winger collect the ball in the Fire’s half. He took a touch and finished well into the top corner to bring the score to 2-1 in the 37th minute.
It took until the 60th minute for the Fire to regain the two-goal lead, after a corner created a scramble in the box and multiple deflections off the line before Aiden Vitale finally put the ball into the net.
Tyson Williams wrapped up the Fire’s scoring nine minutes later; intercepting a poor ball from the Pride centre back and taking a cracking shot from outside the box into the far left of the goal.
Man of the Match: Aiden Vitale
Under 13 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire 18 v Western Pride 0
The Fire took on a nine-player Western Pride squad in a very one-sided round five match at Stockland Park.
The Fire girls took control of the game from the first minute and looked the stronger team throughout. Striker Jazlyn Salih was unstoppable, tallying up 7 goals, while Hannah Taylor and Meisha Westland both secured hat-tricks. Emily Bolland, Aimee Scott, Maddy Lachman (Simpson) , Tia Brockfield and Lissa Taft scored one each to bring the full-time score to 18-0.
Coach Tom White said there were a number of positives to be taken from the game, the most important being the clinical finishing the girls displayed.
“Although we had 18 goals I don’t think we missed many, if any, chances. Our players showed great composure in front of goal,” he said.
In the second half the Fire had a 14-0 lead and so set a target to retain the ball as much as possible and work on pressing when the opposition played out.
“Overall it was a good performance under awkward circumstances but it has been great to see a clean sheet and first goals of the season for Tia, Aimee and Maddy.”
Player of the Match: Tia Brockfield
Under 12 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 11 v Western Pride 0
The Fire Under 12 Boys enjoyed their first ever experience playing at Stockland Stadium, and produced a team display to match the occasion and dominate Western Pride.
Within a minute of kick-off, Luke Varga put the Western Pride backline under pressure and robbed the keeper before rolling the ball into the net. From this point the Fire were virtually camped in the Pride’s half with wave after wave of attacks, despite Western Pride’s resistance.
It took until the 17th minute for the second goal to come from a corner kick. Sam Fleming’s nicely flighted corner sailed into the box and aided by the breeze dropped in at the far post. Then the hard-working Josh Croft released Colby Robinson with a neat pass and Colby slotted home to make it 3-nil at half-time.
The second-half saw the Fire play more as a team and this produced a flood of goals and some excellent team goals. Jack Beardsley found Luke Varga with a good quality pass and Luke finished for his second goal, while Harry Arnison came close with a powerful strike which the keeper could only parry for Varga to grab his hat-trick with a simple finish of the rebound.
After another fine team move, Colby Robinson burst into the box and smashed a shot against the bar; this one fell to Sam Aitken who adjusted in mid-air before volleying high into the net to extend the Fire’s lead to 6-0.
The seventh goal was another rebound, when Sam Aitken’s right foot shot came back off the base of the post for Jack Beardsley to gather and finish. The eighth was arguably the goal of the game; Josh Croft worked his magic to beat a number of players from midfield before releasing Colby Robinson who crossed sweetly for the hard-working Kye Stopka to finish.
With just 3 minutes until the final whistle there were still 3 goals to come. Sam Aitken finished into the bottom corner for his second, before Luke Varga grabbed his fourth and Kye Stopka completed the demolition with his second goal and the team’s 11th.
“It was great experience at the Stadium and a good win for the Under 12s after working hard in training all week,” Coach Peter Higginson said.
“Most pleasing was the second-half performance where we looked to keep possession and control the game. Strong performances from all over the pitch meant a comfortable and enjoyable day for the boys.”
Man of the Match: Luke Varga and Josh Croft
