Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Twelve
Whitsunday Miners v Sunshine Coast Fire
Sunday, June 13, 2010
It’s getting lonely at the top for the Sunshine Coast Fire.
With ten rounds to play, the Fire are more than four wins clear of their nearest opponent, and are creeping closer to the HQSL Premiership with every victory.
This weekend it will be the sixth-placed Whitsunday Miners trying to snap the Fire’s 11 game winning streak, when the teams meet in Mackay on Sunday.
After a slow start to the season, the Miners have found some strong form of late and are now looking a possibility to play finals football, sitting six points adrift of the fourth placed North Queensland Razorbacks.
Since Round 5, the Miners have scored 16 goals in seven games to get their season well back on track. The Miners have some injury concerns heading into the weekend with Eddie Skien, Kevin Nguyen and Ben Schaper in doubt, although defender Rick DeBoer is expected to return after serving a one-game suspension.
When the Sunshine Coast last met the Miners in Round 5, the Fire played out a comfortable 4-1 home victory on a sodden pitch. Victories by big margins have eluded the Sunshine Coast in recent weeks. The Fire’s past three victories have been by a single goal, over QAS, Capricorn and the Brisbane Strikers.
Against the resurgent Miners outfit, defence will once again be of critical importance for the Fire. The Miners raced out of the blocks last week against the Razorback’s, scoring two goals in the first 30 minutes of play.
The Fire’s more experienced players at the back in Antony Hall and Greig Henslee must show leadership and organisation to prevent early goals from getting through, against a side desperate to fight their way into the top four.
Against the most potent attacking side in the competition, the Miners will want to be on their game early. With Tyson Holmes and Yuta Gonai forging an intimidating midfield partnership, as well as the aerial presence of Shaun Blackman and Chris Bacon up front, the Sunshine Coast will always pose a threat from direct play and set-pieces.
After beating the second-placed Strikers last weekend, the Fire opened up a lead atop the HQSL ladder that may well prove impossible to chase down. Tyson Holmes acknowledged after the match how important it was to grab the three points, as well as prevent the Strikers from adding to their tally.
“It was drummed into us all week that we either go 13 points clear, or seven points clear. These games we like to think of as being worth six points, so it was a massive win for us,” Holmes said.
To see if the Fire can go one step closer to securing the HQSL Premiership, come support the boys at the Magpies ground in Glenella as they take on the Miners. Kickoff is at 2pm on Sunday, June 13.
