First Team:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated FNQFC Heat 5-1.
Goal scorers: Nico Bechar, Alex Barlow, Michael Scarff (3).
The Fire travelled up to Cairns at the weekend to play the final regular round before finals football commences in a fortnight’s time.
With a number of players close to suspension or suspended, it was an ideal opportunity for Coach Kevin Aherne-Evans to tinker with selections and present an opportunity for players to put their hands up for a starting spot in the finals.
From the starting whistle the Fire produced some superb passages of play. Some good combination play from Leon Dwyer, Michael Scarff and Nico Bechar created three good opportunities within the first 10 minutes; however it was the Heat who took the lead first. Sato, filling in at centre back for Smith, hesitated in dealing with a through-ball which allowed the busy Heat forward to get contact, guiding the ball into goal keeper Antony Hall’s corner.
The Fire remained confident as the speed of Bechar and Verdin on either flank began to open up gaps in the Heat’s backline for Scarff, Dylan Firth or Dwyer to drift into. Scarff soon capitalised on an opportunity created down the left-hand side, finishing from 15 yards into the goal keeper’s right hand corner to equalise.
Bechar was next on the score sheet after impressive work from Barlow playing at left back. His weaving run and pass to Scarff created an opening for Bechar to race onto and slot into the bottom corner.
Chances were now coming thick and fast as the Fire players looked to continue the ruthless barrage at the Heat goal. Bechar, Dwyer and Scarff combined well to pick out a deep run from Barlow who drew a foul from the Heat’s central defender and won a penalty. Barlow brushed himself down and slotted the penalty with confidence taking his late season tally to four goals in three games.
Again movement through the middle caused the heat problems and when Scarff found time to turn on the edge of the box he drove the ball well into the keeper’s right-hand corner. Scarff went on to complete a first-half hat-trick when the Heat’s central defender slipped over attempting to do a Cruyff turn. The ball rolled into Scarff’s path and he chipped the ball over the advancing keeper for the Fire’s fifth goal.
Early in the second-half the Fire suffered a setback when Verdin, who had already been cautioned in the first-half, received his second yellow card for a needless tackle, ending his game and reducing the Fire to 10 men.
The game then went into a scrappy phase with both teams unable to maintain possession. Opportunities were now few for both teams, chances fell to Bechar and Dwyer, however they were unable to convert and the game fizzled out to an end.
A’herne-Evans said during the first half some of the Fire’s football was very good, with multiple scoring opportunities created through good passing and clever positioning in support from a number of players.
“I am pleased Scarff was able to gain a hat-trick with some good finishes. His hold up play was impressive for us and this provided a good platform for Firth, Dwyer, Bechar, Verdin and Barlow to create and try things in the final third which at times was a joy to watch,” he said.
“I must give Wade Zammit a mention again, the way he has adapted throughout the year has been a real credit to himself. Tonight he filled in a centre back for Henslee and was terrific – dominant in his defensive work and reliable in possession.
“Overall this year I have been proud of the effort the players have put in. We have played some fantastic football this season and it has proved a good experience for new players.”
Under 18 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated Wide Bay 2-1.
Goal scorers: Amy McGlynn, Summer McGladrigan.
Coach Francis Lynch said the match against Wide Bay was a challenge from the first whistle.
Amy McGlynn was the first to pounce on a quality cross into the Wide Bay six-yard box to slam home a goal for the Fire.
Wide Bay returned the pressure and passed into the forwards who continued to get behind our defence. This forced goal keeper Savanna Bowtell-Harris to bring down a Wide Bay centre forward in the 18-yard box.
Fortunately Bowtell-Harris was able to push the penalty over the crossbar.
This seemed to inspire the Fire players to gather composure and play some quality short, sharp football to create a wave of opportunities that should have given the Fire a 3-0 lead, be it for some quality saves from Wide Bay goalkeeper.
The second-half was a repeat of the first although the Fire’s last passes lacked the conviction required at this level. Wide Bay was desperate and once again forced their way into the 18-yard box and forced Bowtell-Harris to come off her line to save. Unfortunately the referee awarded Wide Bay a penalty and gave Bowtell-Harris a yellow card. She was able to stop the penalty shot but the speedy number nine pounced on the rebound to bring the score to 1-1.
The Fire made some tactical changes, and a revised frontline of Lucy Froud, Summer McGladrigan and Mia Radda seemed to unsettle the Wide Bay defence. This created space for Lucy to release a killer pass into Summer McGladrigan’s run for a clean finish into the far post. Wide Bay threw everything they could at the Fire but the girls were able to repel all challenges to see out the game 2-1.
Lynch said he was proud of the girls’ efforts against a tough side.
Under 16 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire lost to SWQ Thunder 3-1
Goal scorer: Jordy Lloyd
After suffering a narrow 2-1 loss in the first half of the season, the Fire were looking to set the record straight against the SWQ Thunder in Round 22.
The Fire started the game with intent and created chances early. Just five minutes in the Fire to opened the scoring as Jordy Lloyd chested a cross down and hit a powerfully struck left-footed volley into the bottom corner of the net.
SWQ reacted by piling on the pressure, and the Fire began to look vulnerable. Thunder was soon awarded a penalty after the striker was brought down in the box. Fire goalkeeper Francis Wynn denied the Thunder from the 12-yard box as he saved his fifth penalty from six shots this year.
It wasn’t long until the Thunder’s blisteringly fast counter-attacks caught the Fire defence open on the break to level the scores at 1-1.
Although not up to their normal standards, the Fire were still playing some good possession football, however again the Thunder’s long-ball counter-attack tactic punished the out-of-shape defence of the Fire and took the score to 2-1 heading into half-time.
The Fire was expected to the raise the bar in the second-half, as the boys had done in the previous six games, but the midday sun and the 3.5 hour bus trip looked to have taken its toll on them. Fatigue set in early and led to a rather bland second-half performance.
The Fire’s chances in the second-half were few and far between before the Thunder killed the game off with their third goal, ensuring the Fire would travel home empty handed.
The game finished 3-1 and the Fire will play their final game of the season against their coastal foes, Palm Beach, on the Gold Coast in two weeks.
Under 15 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire drew with SWQ Thunder 0-0.
Assistant coach Johnno Whiting said the Fire controlled the first 20 minutes, holding the majority of possession.
The first chance came from Cameron Nairn, who had two shots on goal for the goal keeper to pull off a great double save. Alex Van Kampen had a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box and was unlucky to curl it just round the far post.
Timi Adu also had chance after he won a 50-50 with the goalkeeper; however the centre back managed to get a toe to the ball to go out for a corner.
The first half ended 0-0 with the Fire having been in the opposition half for the majority of the game. chances continue to be made for the front 3 who are unlucky to have not finished an opportunity so far.
The second half was much the same as a frustrated Fire failed to finish goal opportunities. Another chance from Timi Adu just outside the box saw the right winger drill the shot over the bar and a free kick just outside the box was played fast to Tom Swane, who tried to place the ball in the goal but the goal keeper parried the ball out.
“It was a frustrating game for the Fire, but well done to the backline. A special mention must go to Tyler Morse and Hayden Lawson who had exceptional games,” Whiting said.
Under 14 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated SWQ Thunder 3-2
Goal scorers: Ty Dawson (2) and an own goal.
After a top display at Brisbane City and the recent selection of four state players, the Fire made the long journey to Toowoomba full of confidence.
Coach Ben Cahn said it promised to be a terrific match-up with South West Queensland proving to be the Sunshine Coasts’ bogie team in this age group.
The Fire started brilliantly and gained early control of the game. Ty Dawson continued his excellent run of goal scoring form with a goal inside the first five minutes. Nice link-up play in the midfield left Dawson 1v1 with the goalkeeper, who saved his first shot. Luckily the ball bounced back and Dawson reacted first to head the ball in to the bottom corner.
Winger Jack Bowen made some strong penetrating runs and caused problems for the SWQ backline, while Josh Nisbet and Henry Hore demonstrated the form which earned them state selection.
A patient build-up of around 15 passes allowed Jack Bowen and Ty Dawson to play a 1-2 just past half way. Dawson then burst past the high SWQ backline to drill one home passed the helpless keeper.
The Fire went in at half-time with a solid 2-0 lead and looking extremely confident.
The second-half started slowly with neither team creating many opportunities. Taj Hudson often held the ball up well under some heavy pressure and combined regularly with left back Jae Warren to good effect. Ironically it was Jack Bowen down the other side who sealed the three points for the Fire. He made another terrific run to beat three defenders before his low-driven cross ricocheted in off a SWQ defender.
The result was sealed and the game slowly became a little more physical.
“I am delighted for the boys, it is the first time in three years that this group has beaten SWQ Thunder,” Cahn said.
“It’s a tricky place to go. The long bus journey, the cooler temperature, the physical nature of the Toowoomba teams has always tested us. We fully deserved the win; we defended well from front to back.
“I was most of proud of how the boys adapted tactically. We had to adjust our shape slightly and be a little more inventive when trying to get out from our defensive third. Last time we played them they pressed well and restricted our space and options to good effect. We’ve been limited at training due to the boys being away with the state team. So we only really had the Friday before the game to prepare and I was delighted to see the boys take the information in to the match. ”
Under 14 Girls:
Sunshine Coast Fire defeated Palm Beach Sharks 6-2
Goal scorers: Kirsty Clifford (3), Madi Warren (2) and Michelle le Roux (1).
Coach Tom White said the game started and ended well for the Fire who had numerous chances to score in both periods of the game, however during the middle section the girls were not at their full potential.
Kirsty Clifford bagged another fine hat trick and was again good in her finishing. Madi Warren also scored two very good goals and a nicely placed finish from Michelle finished the game off.
Aimee Scott and Maisie Berry again showed their class.
“They were fantastic on the ball and what I was very impressed with was how good their decision making was, especially in the final third,” White said.
“We made some careless mistakes all round and conceded two very sloppy goals, but in fairness we have played well in recent weeks and we were due a poor game.”
“I was just disappointed to see some mistakes in areas which we had worked on in training.”
The Fire’s upcoming game against Central Brisbane/Olympic is expected to be tough; the two teams have tied each time they have met previously.
“We must win this game and our game in hand to clinch the title, pretty much clinch the title and I’m sure all my girls are up for it,” White said.
“If we want to beat Brisbane we need to play better than today and more importantly be very clinical with our chances.”
Under 13 Boys:
Sunshine Coast Fire lost to SWQ Thunder 3-1
Goal scorer: Jesse Gibbs
The Under 13 Boys travelled to face SWQ Thunder with stand-in coaches Brad Wallace and Ben Cahn. They said the Fire got off to a slow start soon dominated both halves of the game with possession of the ball and had various chances to score. The boys were unable to capitalize on their chances; on the other hand they were very unlucky with decisions by the referee impacting the game on a couple of occasions.
Thunder had an early chance down the right wing, as good combination play gave a SWQ player a chance for a wonderful strike which beat the fill-in goal keeper Nathan Foster. Within 15 minutes Thunder had doubled the lead with another long-range shot.
The Fire finally switched on and started maintaining the play of the game. Chances fell to Jesse Gibbs, Tyler Phillips, Terone Wattegedara, Mitch Bridge and Oliver Duncan, however they were unable to score.
The Fire dominated from the restart; all players were fantastic on the ball from back to front. Unfortunately the boys were still unable to score despite the many chances they had on goal.
Goal-scoring machine Jesse Gibbs finally put the Fire on the scoreboard with a screamer from long range, bringing the score to 2-1 with 20 minutes to go. The Fire was again on top of the game creating chances to find the equalizer, but another counter-attack led Thunder to score to seal the game at 3-1.
“The boys were fantastic on the ball and I was impressed with how good their decision making was, especially in the final third,” Cahn said.
“Towards the end of the first-half we were unlucky not to receive a penalty which could have changed the game – that’s football though.”
