First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated FNQFC Heat 4-0.
Goal scorers: Paul Arnison, Sam Knight, James Verdin and Jeremy Lynch.
After a string of difficult fixtures and results, Sunday proved the perfect opportunity for the Fire to return to the winners’ circle.
The game started slowly for both teams in a windy Stockland Stadium. Coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said the Fire started to gain momentum creating a string of half-chances through Nico Bechar, Sam Knight and James Verdin.
On 25 minutes the Fire played patiently from their goal kick before 17-year-old First Team debutant Steven Lawrance released Bechar. Bechar attempted to round the Heat goal keeper only to be pushed out of stride. Fire was awarded a penalty which Paul Arnison stepped up to take for his third goal of the season.
The Fire worked hard as it chased a second goal before half-time. Again a move from one side of the pitch to the other allowed Bechar to deliver the ball to Sam Knight, unmarked at the back post, who tapped it in.
The half-time score was 2-0 to the Fire.
The Fire players increased the intensity as they returned to the pitch for the second-half.
This intensity paid off as three minutes into the half Arnison’s build-up play and Bechar’s pin-point passing delivered the ball to Verdin, who rose high above the defender to power a header into the far corner.
The Fire was hungry for a goal to seal the game and when Arnison fed Lynch on the counter attack he found Bechar 1v1 with a defender. The Frenchman’s fantastic footwork got him to the byline to deliver to Jeremy Lynch.
Lynch’s first two attempts were blocked, but after latching on to the loose ball Lynch finished from a very tight angle to make it 4-0 with 30 minutes to go.
The remainder of the game proved a perfect opportunity to give further debuts to Jack Johnson, 17, and Brandon Lee, 16, to get a feel for the speed and work rate of the First Team. Captain Greig Henslee and Paul Arnison provided a great introduction to senior football for the young players.
The full time score remained at 4-0 to the Fire.
A’herne-Evans said he was happy to have a win and a clean sheet after some tough previous rounds.
“Some of our goals are very pleasing and were a reward to the players for persevering with the passing style we are aiming to play.
“For three of the goals, the move actually started in our 18-yard box with multiple players seeking to create angles for the man on the ball. So the coaching group are very pleased with that.
“We know going into the second-half of the season we have to improve in a few areas. However I have total confidence the playing roster have the ability and desire to get into the finals, after what they have showed us in the first-half of the season.”
Under 18 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated Brisbane Strikers 4-0.
Goal scorers: Claire Glackin, Sienna Tucker, Samara Christmas, Chloe Holbelt.
The Fire once again started strongly, forcing the Strikers into their defensive third.
Forwards Samara Christmas, Sienna Tucker and Summer McGladrigan were able to shoot at will, however fortunately for the Strikers, their goal keeper kept the score sheet clean.
Clair Glackin released Amy McGlynn on the right-wing to cross into the near post. Christmas volleyed the shot but once again the goal keeper was able to save it. Just afterwards Clair Glackin shot from 20 yards; the shot dipped and swerved under the crossbar to reward the Fire’s sustained pressure.
The Fire girls passed and played around the Strikers 18-yard box and consecutive corners found Tucker on the back post to volley at close range and bring the score to 2-0.
The Strikers returned from the break fielding only eight players however they applied more pressure than the 11 did in the first-half.
Defenders Madison Phelps, Madi Nugent, Isobel Hall and Els van Hooijdonk diffused any threats and played themselves into excellent shooting opportunities. Samara continued pressing the Strikers’ defence and was finally rewarded with a clean, composed finish to bring the score to 3-0.
Chloe Hobelt was released to score after overlapping with Phelps down the right flank. She angled her run into the 18-yard box to slot a shot past the Strikers’ goal keeper.
Lynch congratulated the girls on keeping up their great form.
Under 18 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated South West Queensland Thunder 3-2.
Goal scorers: Brandon Lee, Jesse Wilson and Corey Dodson.
Coach Paul Arnison said the Fire boys put in a satisfactory performance after the disappointment of the previous round.
The Fire started the game poorly and after two minutes the boys found themselves 1-0 behind from a messy corner. An unmarked SWQ player along the back post was able to chest the ball home from two yards.
The Fire was quick to get back in the game and level the score after four minutes. Corey found himself free in the box and his shot hit the post to rebound to Brandon Lee, who scored from a couple of yards.
Arnison said the Fire then started to take control of the game with the impressive Brandon Lee taking the game to the Thunder.
Goal keeper Damien Cox worked hard to keep the scores level, pulling off a great 1v1 save after a through ball beat two Fire centre backs.
In the 25th minute the Fire had a throw-in down the right which sent Brandon Lee away to beat two players with ease and fire across to Jesse Wilson. Wilson took a shot into the roof of the net and brought the score to 2-1.
SWQ quickly gained an equaliser after a defensive error from the Fire, and the teams left the field at half time 2-2.
The second half saw new player Corey Dodson seal the game with the Fire’s third goal. Tosh Togatia’s through ball sent Dodson away and after a couple of touches he set himself and fired a shot across the goal keeper.
“We then decided to sit back; with a bit more belief could have went on to score more goals but the game fizzled out,” Arnison said.
“We were pleased with the win and effort on the day but we can improve with and without the ball.
“I am pleased for Steve Lawrance, Jack Johnson and Brandon Lee who played for the First Team as well.”
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated South West Queensland Thunder 5-0.
Goal scorers: Cameron Nairn (2), Jordan Wust (2), Timi Adu.
The Fire team and coaching staff had a nervous morning before the game as goal keeper Luke Marker was unable to play just hours before the game. Noosa goal keeper Jacob Brown made an emergency debut for the fire after performing well for his club.
Assistant Coach John Whiting said the game started slowly as the Fire took a while to get into the rhythm of the match. After 11 minutes the Fire got out of first gear as the SWQ goal keeper fumbled a Cameron Nairn shot, and Jordan Wust placed the ball in to an almost empty net.
Two minutes later Cameron Nairn gained the ball on the left wing, took on a player, cut inside and placed shot into the bottom right-hand corner to put the Fire 2-0 ahead. After another three minutes, Jordan Wust received the ball from winger Cameron Nairn. The keeper fumbled his first shot, and then after another rebound Wust was able to place the ball into the back of the net.
The Fire boys were on a high after scoring three goals in five minute and continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Just before half-time the Fire scored a fourth goal as a through-ball from Sean de Chastel allowed Cameron Nairn to complete his brace with a placed shot in to the top-corner.
The Fire continued to retain possession and create chances in the second half. The only goal came from Timi Adu after a square ball from Cameron Nairn.
“The Fire delivered a great performance, dominating possession and playing great football for the majority of the game,” Whiting said.
“A special mention must go to Jacob Brown who played a great game in goal and also managed to keep a clean sheet.”
Under 14 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire lost to SWQ Thunder 3-1.
Goal scorer: Kobe Fuller.
Coach Ben Cahn said as well as preparing for their second ID round of the season, his team was keen to bounce back after their disappointing performance against Brisbane Strikers in Round 10.
Mason Bell, back from suspension, made a huge difference in midfield against SWQ Thunder. He provided balance and cover allowing Kobe Fuller, Josh Nisbet and Henry Hore to take control of the game. The Fire had some excellent passages of play and dominated the game in large periods.
SWQ defended well but offered little in terms of build-up play. The players were extremely reliant on the long ball over the top as the possessed lethal speed in the final third.
SWQ went in to half time 2-0 up. Both goals came from individual errors in playing out from the back but on the whole it was a good first-half performance from the Fire.
The second half was very similar to the first; the Fire dominated and played some terrific football. South West went 3-0 up with a tidy long-range strike after possession turned over in the middle of the park.
Kobe Fuller grabbed an excellent consolation goal to add to his already impressive goal tally.
“We tried to play and develop as a team and as individuals,” Cahn said.
“Sadly we conceded two sloppy goals, although this can be forgiven. South West Queensland was there for the result only and did not put in the same effort to play as we did. In five years’ time our players will be better off for it and will be capable exciting footballers. The game was a good step in the right direction after our poor performance last week.”
Under 14 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated Wide Bay Revolution 9-0.
Goal scorers: Kirsty Clifford (3), Michelle Le Roux (3), Madi Warren, Maisie Berry, Aimee Scott.
Coach Tom White said the Fire tore Wide Bay apart with some quite fantastic football.
“I was very pleased with our movement in the final third, and I was very pleased with how we rotated our triangle in the midfield,” he said.
“Although the scoreline reflects a one sided affair, it is also due to our solid back four – especially Aqua Meanie and Kirra Guy – as to why we created so many chances. Their timing on challenges really alloeds us to counter-attack and put opposition teams under pressure.”
Kirsty Clifford and Michelle Le Roux bagged a hatrick a piece and Madi Warren, Maisie Berry and Amiee Scott each scored a goal.
“The finishing was pure class and it was a very professional performance,” White said.
Under 13 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire drew with South West Queensland Thunder 2-2.
Goal scorer: Jesse Gibbs (2).
Coach Alex Barlow said the Fire again started the game with high pressure, looking to dominate.
SWQ Thunder panicked and launched a long ball which the Fire failed to deal with, allowing a Thunder player to score.
The Fire kept up the intensity, but unfortunately gave a free kick away at halfway. The Fire’s lapse in concentration allowed SWQ to quickly take the kick and double the lead.
The Fire fought back, determined to gain something out of the game. The boys gained their reward three minutes before half-time after quick one-twos around the box allowed Jesse Gibbs some space to score.
A motivational chat at half time saw the Fire come out determined in the second half.
The boys pushed SWQ back into its half but the opposition’s resilience proved too much as it refused to concede an equaliser.
After a number of chances the Fire finally prevailed through lethal marksman Jesse Gibbs. He proved once again why he is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the Leagues.
“In the last few games some of our team goals have been of a high calibre,” Barlow said.
“Moving forward for the rest of the season I believe as a group we will continue to improve.”
