Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Eighteen
Brisbane Strikers v Sunshine Coast Fire
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
Spectators have come to expect a spirited battle every time the Sunshine Coast Fire and Brisbane Strikers meet, and this time around was no different with the Strikers scoring at the death to topple the Fire 1-0.
A draw would have been enough to secure the HQSL Premiership for the Sunshine Coast, and for 80 minutes the game looked headed for a 0-0 stalemate before Jordan Mason netted late to give the Strikers maximum points.
The Strikers victory was aided by the heroics of keeper Seb Usai, who produced a string of top-drawer saves to prevent the Fire from finding the net.
The match kicked off at a predictably frenetic pace in front of a sizeable crowd, and while both teams had early chances to gain an advantage, the Fire possibly had the better of the opening.
A free-kick into the penalty area from Tyson Holmes was flicked towards the top corner, but Usai acrobatically turned the goal-bound ball around the post for a corner. Minutes later, Shaun Blackman connected sweetly with a header that looked sure to find the net, but again it was Usai who tipped it over the bar.
Urged on by their supporters, the Strikers settled into the game and looked dangerous on the ball. Sean Burke broke down the left and was in on goal, but flashed a shot over the bar. Soon after, Matt Thurtell was given too much room on the edge of the area and slipped a shot past Antony Hall, but Greig Henslee produced a desperate effort to clear the ball from the goal-line.
It was clear for all to see that the competitions two premier teams were on display, as the play flowed from end to end. Thurtell spurned a chance after getting on the end of an early cross and heading over the bar.
Even as the Strikers wrestled back control of the game, the Fire were still posing a threat. Jai Cross had a shot from 18 yards, but put his effort wide. Following a corner, Henslee connected well with a volley but Usai was untroubled.
After 34 minutes the match was still scoreless as the Brisbane Strikers missed some clear-cut opportunities. Matt Christensen put a shot inches high of the bar from 18 yards after not being shut down in a dangerous area. In the next play, Burke went even closer after sprinting into the penalty area one-on-one and putting his shot past the far post.
After half-time, the pace of the game was no slower as each side battled valiantly to get on the scoreboard. Antony Hall produced a fine save of his own to turn away a shot from distance by Sean Burke.
As the other end, the Fire almost got on the scoresheet in novel fashion when a miscued cross from Delahunty on the left flank almost found the top corner, with Usai tipping it over the bar.
Clear-cut chances began to dry up as the second half wore on. The Sunshine Coast players would have been well aware that they were less than a half of football away from being crowned season premiers, and were taking no chances in defence.
On 71 minutes, substitute Aaron Brazendale forced a corner, and Henslee headed high from the ensuing set-piece. Soon after, the ball fell to Holmes in the penalty area, who curled a shot towards the corner that looked a certainty to find the net, but again Usai was the hero as he denied the shot.
From the next corner kick, Alex Henderson got a foot to the ball but lifted it well over the bar.
As full-time approached, the dogged determination of the Fire’s defence was preventing the Strikers from breaking the deadlock. Antony Hall did well to deny Chris Di Sipio, and a last-gasp sliding tackle from Henslee robbed Thurtell of a one-on-one opportunity.
But just as the game looked likely to end at 0-0, the Fire lost possession in their defensive half and Jordan Mason slipped a shot past Hall to give Brisbane the lead after 84 minutes of play.
With the Fire needing a goal to clinch the title, Chris Bacon was brought on as a last roll of the dice, but to no avail as the Strikers defended in depth for the final minutes to record a 1-0 victory, their first over the Fire in three matches this season.
Coach Aston Bell was understandably disappointed, but credited both sides for what was a high quality match.
“It was really a notch above what we have seen for much of the year. It was end-to-end, entertaining football, and just one of those games where one goal was probably going to win it. The effort from both teams was magnificent.
“We laboured on the ball a little bit in the second half when we had the chance to break quickly, which has been one of our strengths this year. But we’ll get back on the training paddock this week and work to get the result we need on the weekend.”
The result means the Strikers are still a mathematical chance of wrestling the Premiership from the Fire, seven points adrift with three games remaining. A victory for the Fire in the last three rounds will be enough to secure a second title.
This Fire will be intent on getting the three points necessary at home next week against the Whitsunday Miners. Kick-off for the Round 19 fixture is at 1.30pm on Sunday, August 1 at Stockland Park’s Western Field’s.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC: 0
Brisbane Strikers: 1 (Mason)
