Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Nineteen
Sunshine Coast FC v Whitsunday Miners
Sunday, August 1, 2010 – 1.30pm
Staff Reporter – Kane Frampton
After going within ten minutes of clinching a second HQSL Premiership last week, the Sunshine Coast Fire will be hell-bent on getting the job done against the Whitsunday Miners on Sunday.
Needing a draw to secure the title against the Brisbane Strikers last weekend, the match remained scoreless until the 84th minute when a Jordan Mason strike sunk the Fire, in the latest of a series of close matches that the rival sides have contested.
The defeat has cut the Fire’s competition lead to seven points with three games remaining. A win on Sunday will be enough to make certain of a second title, and with long away trips to face the North Queensland Razorbacks and Bundaberg Spirit in the final two rounds, the Fire will be looking to make certain of things on their home patch this weekend.
Standing in the way is the seventh-placed Whitsunday Miners, who snatched a last-minute away draw against the North Queensland Razorbacks last round. The Miners have had their share of injury problems and have not made their way onto the winners list since Round 9.
With the logjam at the bottom of the table, the Miners are still a possibility of finishing in fifth place and will need a result on Sunday if this is to remain on the cards.
The Sunshine Coast have had the better of the Miners in their two meetings this year, with 4-1 and 3-2 wins in Round 5 and 12.
If the Fire can get the necessary three points this weekend, it is possible that coach Aston Bell will rest some of his players from the remaining season fixtures in a bid to ensure everyone is fresh for the finals campaign. Corey Towle is likely to return to the side this round after missing the Strikers match through suspension.
To see if the Sunshine Coast can bounce back from last weeks disappointment and claim a second HQSL Premiership, get down to Stockland Park’s Western Fields on Sunday, August 1. Kickoff is at 1.30pm and will be followed by the Under 19’s facing South West Queensland at 3.30pm.
After going down to a quality Strikers side last round, the Under-19’s need a victory against SWQ this week to hold onto second place on the ladder. The Fire have emerged victorious from their two matches with SWQ this year, and will be hopeful of a repeat performance.
Also in QSL news this week, Football Queensland has announced plans to increase the number of teams in the Queensland State League by two, potentially introducing teams based on the Gold Coast and Brisbane for next season.
An announcement regarding who the new teams will be is expected before seasons end. The news reaffirms that the QSL is here to stay and will continue to provide a useful platform for young players looking to compete at a higher level.
