Open Women’s Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 2 v Redlands United 4
The Fire Open Women’s Team put up a strong performance on Sunday against Redlands, one of the top teams in the SEQWPL.
Although Fire did not create many chances in the first-half, they gained confidence from good spells of possession. In the 30th minute Redlands took the lead after good combination play on the edge of the area. The Fire fought back and a second goal of the season for Kirsty Clifford, cutting in from the right wing meant the game was level at half time.
A dubious penalty in the 47th minute gave Fire a difficult start to the second-half, but again good spells of possession managed to keep Fire in the game. A third goal for Redlands in the 60th minute looked as though it was going to seal the game, however Fire continued to keep possession and deservedly scored in the 70th minute from Gemma Hauck with an excellent finish from outside the area.
Fire pushed forward but missed a couple of good chances and with minutes remaining and Redlands scored the fourth in the 90th minute.
Coach Dave Bensted said his team had put in a good and would gain confidence going into the second-half of the season.
Under 18 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 13 v Western Pride 1
After a great weekend of football and impressive results, the Under 18 Fire team was the last to play. The Fire boys did not disappoint, showing attacking prowess which Western Pride was no match for.
The work-rate, movement off the ball and passing game from the Fire players was impressive from the first whistle. Jacob Fulluck scored four goals, Jordy Lloyd scored 2 and Luke Devitt also slotted one away before the end of the first-half. These goals plus an own goal gave Fire an 8-1 lead at half-time.
Fire returned to the field with the same enthusiasm and work-rate in the second-half. Jacob Fulluck extended the lead in the 43rd minute, before scoring his fifth in the 80th minute, while Jordy Lloyd wrapped up his hat-trick in the 58th minute and Luke Devitt scored his second in the 64th minute. Under 16s player Cam Nairn also scored one and goal keeper Brendon Martin stepped up to slot away a penalty in the 50th minute.
Coach Paul Arnison congratulated the boys on a great team effort and also congratulated the two Under 16 Boys, Cam Nairn and Timi Adu, on their performances.
“Both boys were a credit to our Club and to their coach Ben Cahn,” he said.
Man of the Match: Jacob Fulluck and Jordy Lloyd.
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 7 v Western Pride 0
Fire travelled to Ipswich to take on Western Pride,
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 7 v Western Pride 0
Looking to get back on track after two disappointing performances, Fire travelled to Ipswich to take on Western Pride
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 7 v Western Pride 0
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 7 v Western Pride 0
Match report by Andrew Hough and Manager Brett de Chastel
Looking to get back on track after two disappointing performances, Fire travelled to Ipswich to take on Western Pride.
Fire started strongly and in the third minute Timi Ajibola delivered a good pass to Cameron Nairnto slot past the advancing keeper to give the Fire a 1 – 0.
Fire continued to dominate play and create chances; Tom Swane fired a shot wide and Josh Chumbley forced the Pride keeper into a save in the 7th minute. However, the Fire were not to be denied and went 2 – 0 ahead in the 15th minute. Kaileb Hough made a break down the left-hand side, drifted inside and delivered a good cross to Adam Edgar, who stabbed the ball into the net from 6 metres.
Fire struggled to break down the Pride defence until two minutes before half time when Sean de Chastel played a good one- two with new player Ari Easton, setting up de Chastel for a clinical left foot finish. Fire kept control of teh game before teh half-time break, despite not playing with great conviction.
After the restart, Fire put pressure on the Pride goal as Edgar, Jordan Vieira and Easton all had shots on goal. However, Fire didn’t score again until the 55th minute. De Chastel and Easton again had a nice interchange of passes before de Chastel set up Edgar to slot the ball past the Pride keeper. Only a minute later good lead up work by Josh Chumbley allowed de Chastel a shot on goal which hit the post.
After a flat period in the second half, the Fire finished the game strongly with 3 goals in the last 5 minutes. In the 76th minute, Edgar secured his hat trick with a good volley following a good set up by Cameron Nairn. Only a minute later, Edgar scored his 4th goal when de Chastel provided a bounce pass into space for Edgar to run onto and score. In the 79th minute, Nairn took a free kick and picked out de Chastel who provided a nice near post right foot flick to bring up his double and leave the final score at 7 – 0 to the Fire.
The Fire travels to Palm Beach next week to play one of the top teams and will need to be strong and work as a team to keep its premiership hopes alive.
Man of the Match: Adam Edgar
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 5 v Western Pride 2
After a thrilling performance last week against Brisbane Strikers, the Fire boys were looking to continue their good form against a struggling Western Pride team, despite having limited preparation due to field availability.
Fire started slow and lacked shape, allowing Pride to score on the counter in the 9th minute. Fire settled from here in, starting to dominate possession and become creative in the final third with chances falling to Ty Dawson, Kobe Fuller and Jack Bowen.
On the 11th minute Fire looked to square the game up; some brilliant combination play from Dawson and Bowen saw Bowen unleash a shot from 18 yards out, only to be denied by the post. On 12 minutes a great ball from Oli Blackmore released Fuller to finish with a dazzling volley.
From this point the game opened up and Fire added again to the tally. Fuller latched onto quick free-kick from Callum Jones to finish with a cheeky dipping volley in the 15th minute and shortly afterwards some brilliant lead-up play from Abe Reeves and Dawson set Josh Nisbet up for a finessed shot just inside the box, beating the Pride goal keeper at full stretch.
The Fire boys looked comfortable and were again creating chances with some good individual efforts from Fuller, Kye Yamaoka-Chapman and Dawson but it would be Western Pride who would strike next when some poor defending let Nate Seip strike from 18 yards out to beat a full-stretched Tom Anderson in goal. Close to half-time Jez Lofthouse beat his marker to let rip a strike from some 30 yards out, only to be denied by the Pride keeper’s brilliant save. Fire went into half time 3-2 up with some work to do.
Fire started the stronger side in the second half with a few areas to work on and a few team changes. Western Pride’s attack seemed to be handled with the back four playing a higher and now playing with two holding midfielders.
Fire created many chances but so many chances before that but the final ball prevented Fire from extending the lead.
Jones took the wind out of Western Pride with his relentless work up the left and right channels as an attacking fullback and was rewarded when he played a dangerous ball towards the goal that flew into the inside of the net.
Four minutes later Fuller netted his hat-trick in style after clever ball from Nisbet sent Fuller 1v1 with the Pride keeper. Fuller showed why he is the top goal scorer in the league with a brilliant dip of the shoulder to send the keeper to the floor then a cheeky chip to seal the win 5-2.
Fire had a few more chances to extend the lead but it was not Dawson’s day to score after hitting the crossbar and the keeper pulling of some amazing saves to deny him his goal.
Coach Daniel Carew said he was a lot happier with his team’s second-half defensively.
“We looked a lot more assured and safe,” he said.
“Oli Blackmore was brilliant again, the midfielders are starting to click and there is some brilliant passages of play from them.
“Kobe Fuller was clinical today and has been scoring for fun, it is helping take the load of Ty and Jack as they are all in the top 5 goal scorers in the league so if one isn’t scoring there is another two who can.
“All-in-all I’m happy to get 3 points; we didn’t have the best preparation but we played some good football at some stages. Now we just have to get back to it at training and prepare for Palm Beach away next weekend.
Man of the Match: Kobe Fuller- hat trick and three great finishes – I couldn’t fault him today, brilliant performance.
Under 15 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire 0 v Western Pride 1
Fire started the game well, dominating possession in the wet conditions and defending strongly. The Fire girls had several shots on goal but were unable to take the lead.
However the conditions took their toll and in the 33rd minute Briana Hopa slipped in the wet grass while defending, allowing Western Pride to regain possession and slot the ball past Fire keeper Katie Offer.
After the restart Hopa, Zoe Hopwood and Sophie Tiver continued to play superbly. Western Pride’s defence held strong and prevented Fire from equalising through most of the half, however Lisa van Hooijdonk had a great chance late in the half only to have her goal ruled offside. Pride held on to the lead and the Fire girls suffered their second loss for the season.
