Hyundai Queensland State Youth League – Round Seventeen
Sunshine Coast FC v Gold Coast
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
The Sunshine Coast Fire have gone down fighting, falling 3-2 to the Gold Coast in Round 17 of the Hyundai Queensland State Youth League.
Senior players Chris Bacon and James Stinson were the goal-scorers for the Fire, who have been undermanned in recent weeks through injury. Stinson partnered Matthew Bevan in central defence, with Joe McMahon and James Cooper as fullbacks. Luke Lewis and James Verdin started in their usual wing positions, with Nick Roth returning to the starting line-up in the centre of midfield with Rob McNicol. Bacon and Kaine Frew played up forward.
After falling to a 6-1 loss last week, the Fire started this week on the right foot by nabbing a goal in the opening minutes, as Verdin moved down the left flank and hit an accurate cross to Bacon, who rose above his marker to head home from close range.
Much of the possession was being held by the Fire in the opening minutes, as the game was camped in the Gold Coast’s defensive half. Bacon tested the Gold Coast keeper with a well-placed header after 10 minutes.
Soon after, Verdin ran onto a through-ball from Stinson, but the keeper rushed out to hack the ball to safety.
As the half wore on, the contest got a little tighter. The Gold Coast levelled against the run of play on 27 minutes, after the Fire lost possession in a dangerous area.
The Fire looked intent on regaining the lead, as Lewis struck a shot over the bar after good work down the right flank. Frew had a volley blocked on 18 yards soon after, and Roth also went close after spotting the keeper off his line and attempting to beat him from distance.
The Fire continued to press for a second – a clever back-heel from Roth gave Bacon an opportunity, but he hit the near post from close range. Moments later, Bacon headed down a cross to the advantage of Frew, who fired a volley at the keeper from outside the area.
After half time, the Gold Coast had the better of early opportunities. Sam Nickolls got down well to make a save after a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.
Substitutes Brad Wallace and Cohen Bell combined well to create an opportunity, butBell’s shot went straight at the keeper.
After 66 minutes, a classy finish from the Gold Coast took them to a 2-1 lead, and left the Fire with a tough task to come from behind.
As the Sunshine Coast looked to maintain possession and build through passing, they had their chances to square the ledger. Bellconnected well with a header following an early cross, but the keeper did well to make the save.
As full time approached, Stinson and substitute Josh Taylor pushed forward to try and snatch an equaliser for the Fire, but to little avail.
The Gold Coast snagged a third goal on 85 minutes with a well-taken volley, and the Fire looked down for the count. However, James Stinson gave the Fire a chance with an outstanding goal from 25 yards, curling a shot inside the keeper’s near post on the stroke of full time.
But despite the team’s best efforts, they couldn’t get close to goal in the last few minutes of injury time and the whistle sounded for a 3-2 defeat. Missed opportunities had cost the Fire, who were perhaps unlucky to not come away with at least a draw.
Pride and bragging rights will be on the line next week when the Fire take on the Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park, in a top of the table clash. After two losses, the side will be desperate to turn things around and get a result. The match kicks off at 5pm next Saturday, July 24.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC – 2 (Bacon, Stinson)
Gold Coast – 3
