Hyundai Queensland State Youth League – Round Eleven
Sunshine Coast Fire Under-19 v Brisbane Strikers Under-19
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Under-19 Fire’s run of victories has come to an end, as the boys fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Brisbane Strikers in Kawana.
The Fire hadn’t been beaten since Round 4, when they last faced the Strikers at Perry Park. On the receiving end of a 6-4 loss in that match, the discipline and organisation of both teams was much improved this time around.
The Fire looked alive from the opening whistle and got off to a dream start. After 90 seconds, Ryan Delahunty found himself in possession on the right wing, mere metres away from the byline. Delahunty played a cross towards the far post, but to everyone’s surprise, including the Strikers keeper, the ball hit the back of the net inches inside the far post to give the Fire a 1-0 advantage.
Spurred on by their brilliant start, the Fire were playing with confidence. In goal, Sam Nickolls looked assured as he confidently ran out to deal with a long ball from the Strikers.
After recovering from going down so early in the game, the Strikers rallied and carved out some good opportunities. A well-worked move down the left flank ended with a low cross to Julian Jackson, who swept home at the near post to level the scores at 1-1 after 15 minutes.
Midway through the first half, the game was turning into a real arm-wrestle. The Fire were having some difficulty transitioning from defence to attack, and plays were breaking down in the attacking third.
On 27 minutes, the Sunshine Coast built a strong play down the right wing. Luke Lewis spun cleverly on the ball and raced along the wing before delivering a low cross to Kaine Frew, who made the keeper work from 18 yards.
The match was evenly balanced, with both sides looking likely to add to the scoreboard. The Strikers went close with a free-kick, but Nickolls made the save on his chest.
The Fire then broke down the left wing through James Verdin, who steadied and tried to pick out Delahunty with a low cross. The Strikers keeper got a touch to the cross, but Delahunty pounced on the rebound and shot with his first touch, shooting just over the bar.
The game began to open up as the half drew to a close. Nick Roth had a low shot on goal from 18 yards, but the keeper was alive to the danger and saved well.
The half ended with the game evenly poised at 1-1, and the second half kicked off in much the same fashion, with both sides looking dangerous but unable to take control of the game.
Defensively, the Fire were holding strong. Nickolls got down well to touch a goal-bound shot around the post for a corner. Soon after, Matthew Bevan cleared the line with a desperate header.
The Strikers began to get on top as the half progressed, and the Fire found themselves buried in their defensive half. The Strikers snatched a goal midway through the second half after breaking down the left wing and placing a low cross, which Nathan Alexander prodded home from close in.
Down 2 goals to 1, the Fire needed a spark to get back in the game and created a good chance through Dylan Davis, but the last defender cleared the ball to safety.
Still pressing for an equaliser, the Fire had a golden opportunity go begging when Kaine Frew found himself in space in the penalty area. Frew took his time to place a shot, but the Strikers keeper spread himself well and parried the shot.
Cohen Bell almost a snatched an equaliser in the closing minutes as he chased down a long ball, but his first touch shot went narrowly over the bar.
The final whistle sounded for a 2-1 loss for the Fire, in a disappointing result given the effort and organisation of the boys.
The defeat means the Fire relinquish top spot on the Hyundai Queensland State Youth League ladder, and now sit three points adrift of the Strikers in second place.
The Fire will now look to next weeks match against South West Queensland, and will hope to return from Toowoomba with all three points to keep the pressure on the Strikers at the top of the table. The match kicks off at 5pm on Saturday June 12 at Commonwealth Oval, Toowoomba.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC – 1 (Delahunty)
Brisbane Strikers – 2 (Jackson, Alexander)
