Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Sixteen
Queensland Academy of Sport v Sunshine Coast Fire
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
The Sunshine Coast Fire are on the brink of claiming a second HQSL Premiership, after putting in a commanding performance to defeat QAS by five goals to one.
Shaun Blackman got on the scoresheet twice, along with Josh Taylor, Aaron Brazendale and Ryan Delahunty, as the Fire held on to their 10-point competition lead with five games to go.
There were a number of changes from the side which beat the FNQ Bulls last week, with Jai Cross, Drew Laurence and James Stinson replaced by Aaron Brazendale, Josh Taylor and Sam Knight. The Fire persisted with playing Yuta Gonai and Ryan Delahunty on the wings, after the success of last week.
It didn’t take long for Delahunty to create a chance on the left flank. After playing a neat one-two with Tyson Holmes, Delahunty beat his marker for pace and moved in on goal, but lifted his shot over the bar.
It was to be the only genuine chance of the opening minutes, as the two sides felt each other out. The Fire did their best to keep possession and not gift any chances to the talented QAS side.
Following a corner for the Fire after 12 minutes, Yuta slipped a pass to Holmes 25 yards out. Holmes chipped a pass toward Blackman in the penalty area, who wrong-footed QAS keeper Tim Anderson with a superb header to give the Fire an early lead. Once again, the combination of Holmes and Blackman had created a Sunshine Coast goal.
But despite the positive start for the Fire, their lead was snuffed out on 19 minutes. After pouncing on a loose ball in a dangerous area, Alistair Quinn caught Antony Hall off his line and floated a shot over him, which bounced off the left upright and crossed the line for a QAS goal.
QAS had demonstrated that they would not waste opportunities when given to them, and the Fire attempted to play closer to their markers and stifle the QAS attack. QAS almost took the lead on 26 minutes when a long-range shot looked destined to find the top corner, but Hall expertly turned the ball around the post for a corner.
The Fire were posing a threat on the break, and a sweeping move down the right flank found the team a second goal on 30 minutes. Alex Henderson released Yuta, who showed great pace as he moved in on goal and shaped to shoot. After drawing the keeper, Yuta rolled a pass to a well-placed Josh Taylor, who smashed the ball home for his first senior goal for the Sunshine Coast Fire.
With the lead reinstated, the Fire looked for a third. Delahunty went close after good work down the left, but turned his shot inches wide of the post. In the closing minutes of the half, Blackman almost scored a second goal with a header, but flicked his effort over the bar.
Half-time came with the Fire 2-1 up, but well aware that the game was still in the balance. With QAS having already snatched a goal against the run of play, the Sunshine Coast knew they had to be on their guard in the defensive third.
QAS manufactured a few chances early in the second half, as Mitch Cooper went close with a long range effort, and substitute Koh Satake almost scored from close range with his first touch of the match.
After missing their chance to level the scores at 2-2, QAS conceded less than a minute later
Blackman collected a pass near the byline in the penalty area, and controlled the ball before spotting the run of Aaron Brazendale who slotted home from six yards for a 3-1 advantage.
Minutes later, the Fire grabbed a fourth after Delahunty created something from nothing. After a short goal-kick from QAS keeper Anderson, Delahunty won possession and moved in on goal, before passing to the unmarked Blackman who had no trouble scoring his second of the match.
With the Sunshine Coast three goals up, QAS did their best to add some credibility to the score but were given little opportunity by the Fire defensive line. Corey Towle and Sam Knight performed well as fullbacks, negating the influence of the QAS wingers and getting forward when possible.
On 73 minutes the Fire had a fifth goal, when a loose ball in the penalty area wasn’t cleared. Yuta and Delahunty converged on the ball, and Delahunty fired it in for a 5-1 lead.
Even with the match beyond their reach, QAS stuck to their task and created some chances as the match neared its end, but the Fire kept up their intensity.
Yuta almost got his reward for another strong performance late in the match, but was denied by a strong save by Anderson. Holmes nearly got on the scoresheet as well, but his long drive was slightly off target.
Full-time came with the Sunshine Coast impressive victors, and needing two victories from the remaining five games to be certainties for the HQSL Premiership. But with the Brisbane Strikers hitting a rich vein of form, there is still work to be done.
Coach Aston Bell was pleased with his team’s commitment and organisation across the park.
“Very pleased all around. There are things we have been working on and fine-tuning in the last few weeks that are just starting to come to fruition. In the second half, I thought we were terrific. Our ball movement and defensive shape was excellent. We worked right to the end, which is testament to the athleticism and fitness of the players.”
After performing well against the Brisbane Roar recently, the Fire seem to be going from strength to strength.
“I asked the players to come out and build on that momentum, which is very important as we come to the final stages of the season, and they’ve come out and delivered.”
Final Score: Queensland Academy of Sport – 1 (Quinn, 19)
Sunshine Coast FC – 5 (Blackman, 12, 62, Taylor, 30, Brazendale, 60,
Delahunty, 73)
