Hyundai Queensland State Youth League – Round Fifteen
Sunshine Coast Fire v Logan Strikers
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
The Sunshine Coast Fire have handed out an 8-1 drubbing to Logan, and in the process reduced the Brisbane Strikers’ competition lead to four points.
Four goals to Chris Bacon, two for Kaine Frew and one apiece for Luke Lewis and Rob McNicol did the job for the Fire, in a game where the result never looked in doubt.
The Fire’s cause was helped by the inclusion of over-age players Chris Bacon and Andy Wood, a necessary move considering the team’s long injury list. It was Wood’s first game back after a long break due to illness and he provided added stability in defence for the Fire.
In an unexpected twist, only 10 players took to the field for Logan as some of their players were held up in getting to the match.
When the match kicked off, the Fire wasted no time in asserting their dominance and unleashed a barrage on the Strikers goal. James Verdin forced a save out of Strikers keeper Willem Rockett seconds into the match after breaking down the left.
It soon became apparent that the Fire were a cut above as the Strikers failed to maintain possession in the middle of the park. After five minutes, Joe McMahon released Bacon down the centre, who dribbled into the penalty area and finished with minimal fuss for a 1-0 lead.
As the Fire continued to control the match, they conceded against the run of play. A mix-up in defence left Jack Tennant off his line, and Cengiz Aslam pounced and slotted into an open goal.
It didn’t take long for the Fire to reclaim the lead, when Logan keeper Rockett scuffed a goal-kick straight to Bacon, who moved into the penalty area and scored a carbon copy of his first goal.
Kaine Frew lashed a free-kick just wide soon after, and Rhys Roberts combined well with Bacon who just missed after shooting with his first touch.
The Strikers were barely able to raise an attack as the first half wore on and the Fire continued to pile on the pressure. Bacon knocked in his third and fourth goals in quick succession as the half came to an end.
With Rhys Roberts and Joe McMahon using their bodies well in the midfield, the Strikers were finding it difficult to escape their defensive half, and it was difficult to see them keeping in touch with the Fire as the match wore on.
Josh Taylor replaced Bacon at half-time, and the Fire wasted no time in finding a fifth goal. Luke Lewis broke free on the right flank and moved in on goal, narrowing the angle and burying the shot from close range for a 5-1 lead. Kaine Frew got in on the action minutes later, collecting a nice chip from Rhys Roberts and blasting home.
By the midway stage of the second half, the match had lost all of its sting and was turning into a procession. The Strikers had been reduced to nine men after having a player sent off, and their intentions turned to limiting the damage.
Rob McNicol then got on the scoresheet, shooting truly after controlling a nice cross from Luke Lewis. Soon after, the Fire earned a penalty and Josh Taylor stepped up to convert, but Rockett got down well to make a strong save.
With scores 7-1 and the result a foregone conclusion, the Fire were losing their patient build-up and shooting on sight. A spate of chances went begging as full time came closer, but there was still time for Frew to bag his second goal before the whistle sounded for an 8-1 win.
Coach Andy Watson acknowledged that with only ten players taking the field for Logan, it was difficult to get his team ready for the match.
“It’s hard to get the team mentally prepared for a game like this, but they’re a tough set of lads and a good set of lads, and they got the job done. We have a lot of injuries and players away, and probably four guys playing out of position, so I thought we acquitted ourselves very well and attacked for the full 90 minutes.”
The victory narrows the competition gap on the first-placed Brisbane Strikers to four points, after the Strikers drew with the Gold Coast. With six rounds to play, the Premiership is not out of the Fire’s reach.
“I think next time we play them we will be up for the challenge, and right on their tail.”
Next week the Fire take on QAS at Meakin Park in Slacks Creek, as a curtain-raiser to the seniors match. Kick-off is at 5pm on Saturday, July 10.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast Fire – 8 (Bacon, 4, Frew, 2, Lewis, McNicol)
Logan Strikers – 1 (Aslam)
