First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 2 v Brisbane Roar NYL 0
Sunshine Coast Fire continued its winning streak with a 2-0 win over newcomers Brisbane Roar NYL at Stockland Stadium.
Jayke Cuschieri opened the scoring early in the second-half and Futa Nakamura sealed the result just five minutes later.
After a loss against Redlands at Perry Park, the Roar was keen to get back to winning ways with Coach Jeff Hopkins making multiple changes and introducing A-League player Devante Clut.
The game started with the Roar started settling into their possession brand of football pinning the Fire into their own half with little penetration in the final third.
The Fire began to gain a foothold in the game in the final 25 mins of the first half. Brock Messenger had a chance and later Futa Nakamura forced a great save from the Roar keeper Frazer Chalmers.
The Roar’s solitary attempt on goal in the first half came when the excellent Devante Clut brought Antony hall to a full-stretch save after he took a rasping drive from 25 yards.
After the restart the Fire had the wind at their back and pressed higher, forcing an early mistake when the Roar attempted to play out from the back. Jayke Cuschieri picked up possession on the half-way line and as the Roar defenders backed off Cuschieri took a shot from 30 yards which deflected slightly off Roar player Lachlan Jackson to nestle into the right-hand corner.
The Fire, full of momentum, went on the hunt for a second the willing Brock Messenger with a trade-mark over lapping run earnt a corner. Cuschieri’s delivery was met by Nakamura who speared the ball into the roof of the goal.
The Roar, looking for opportunities to get back into the game, left themselves vulnerable for the counter attack. The Fire’s Nakamura, Needham and Cuschieri both saw chances but were unable to convert them to goals.
The remaining 15 minutes saw the Roar entrenched in the Fire’s final third, however Hall was only forced into a significant save one by forward Brandon Borrello.
Open Women’s Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire 5 v Mitchelton 0
Playing their first game of the season at the Stadium the Fire Open Women’s Team started nervously and had trouble retaining possession. A Goal in the 14th minute from Samara Christmas after a mistake by the Mitchelton goalkeeper helped to settle team, but losing possession too easily was a continuing problem. Mitchelton had a chance to get back in the game but a well saved penalty by GK Renee Rudder meant the Fire went in at half-time 1-0 ahead.
A second goal from Samara Christmas in the 47th minute enabled the Fire to settle down and start to play a more controlled game. A good move finished by Captain Kayla Moore in the 70th minute instilled a confidence through the team with all players involved in some good passing combinations. Two goals from Izzy Dalton sealed the result.
Coach Dave Bensted said he was happy with the girls performance, particularly their improvement in the second-half which ensured the Fire secured three points.
Under 18 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 v QAS 3
The QAS started the game with a real intensity while the Fire allowed the opposition too much time on the ball, only to be punished in the ninth minute with a well-constructed QAS goal.
QAS continued to play with real purpose and was awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute to extend the lead to 2-0.
The loss of Jesse Wilson to injury on the 38th minute saw the introduction of Matt Kennedy who looked lively in attack, however in the 44th minute the impressive QAS scored a deserved third goal to go into the half-time break 3-0 ahead.
Injuries to Gabriel Dennis and Cody Galvin forced further changes during the half time break. To their credit the Fire players continued to work hard but were always a yard off the pace and gave the QAS too much time on the ball. The Fire’s injury woes went from bad to worse when Jacob Fullock was helped from the field with an injury.
Matt Carrick put in a man of the match performance and Chris Terpcou also had another impressive game. The Fire’s efforts were rewarded with a quality goal from Matt Kennedy on the 89th Minute to record a final score of 3-1.
Man of the Match: Matt Carrick and Chris Terpcou
Under 15 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire 3 v Moreton Bay Jets 4
The Fire girls gave a very good account of themselves in very hot, humid conditions; however Moreton Bay played an excellent game that gave the Fire little or no time on the ball.
Moreton Bay pressured the Fire early and QLD State player Khana Shervey scored in the 5th minute to put the Jets ahead. The Fire fought back and Michelle le Roux equalised in the 11th minute, only for an energetic Moreton Bay to score another two in quick succession. Moreton Bay player Nicole Morris scored in the 14th minute and Shervey again made a great solo effort to secure Moreton Bay’s third in the 15th minute.
The Fire was stronger in the second half and after 25 minutes of much improved structure and passing the girls managed to even the score with goals from le Roux and Lisa van Hooijdonk.
However, in the 66th minute the Jets stand-out striker Shervey again made a run and scored to give Moreton Bay the win 3-4, for the Fire’s first loss of the season.
