Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Fourteen
Bundaberg Spirit v Sunshine Coast Fire
Saturday, June 26, 2010 – 7pm
For the first team this season, the Sunshine Coast Fire will be heading into a HQSL game on the back of a loss, and all eyes will be on the boys to see if they can bounce back against the Bundaberg Spirit.
The Fire’s winning streak of 12 games was brought to a halt last week with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of an organised North Queensland Razorbacks side.
After twice going behind on the scoreboard, the Fire could not find an equalising goal and seemed to run out of ideas in the second half, often resorting to a long ball towards the forwards.
The Fire’s midfield was stifled by the Razorbacks, meaning Tyson Holmes and Yuta Gonai did not have their usual influence on the contest. Winger Corey Towle is a possibility to return against Bundaberg after missing last week due to an ankle injury.
Also of concern will be defending against counter-attacks; both of the Razorbacks goals came on the break and the Fire will no doubt look to address this during the week.
This weekends clash with the Spirit could prove crucial to the Fire’s title aspirations. The team will no doubt be nursing some damaged pride, and will be intent on reminding the competition they are still the dominant side.
The Fire cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Spirit in Round 7, and although the Fire and Spirit sit first and last on the Hyundai QSL ladder, the result is far from a foregone conclusion – Bundaberg have been looking like a team on the up in recent weeks.
After claiming their first win of the season in Round 11 against the Capricorn Cougars, Bundaberg copped a hiding against the Brisbane Strikers in Round 12 before managing a 2-2 draw against Whitsunday last week.
The Spirit have been boosted by the mid-season signings of young trio Adam Ormsby, Nick Fitzgerald and Ray Miller. Ormsby and Fitzgerald signed from the Central Coast Mariners youth squad, and Miller from the Sydney FC youth squad.
The signings have galvanised the struggling Spirit, and helped the remainder of the team play with renewed confidence. They will be hoping to take a big scalp and record their first home win of the season against the Sunshine Coast.
Kickoff for the Round 14 clash is at 7pm on Saturday, June 26 at Martens Oval in Bundaberg. The club’s Under-19 teams will clash at 5pm.
