Hyundai Queensland State Youth League – Round Nineteen
Sunshine Coast Fire v South West Queensland
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
The Sunshine Coast Fire have come from behind to run out 7-3 victors over South West Queensland in a crucial fixture of the Hyundai Queensland State Youth League.
After three consecutive losses, the Fire were desperate for maximum points in order to strengthen their grasp of second-place on the ladder.
With players returning from suspension and senior team duties, the starting lineup was different from the one fielded against the Brisbane Strikers last week. James Verdin and Cohen Bell played up front, with Ray Schultz, Rhys Roberts, Nick Roth and Luke Lewis across the midfield. Joe McMahon and Brad Wallace played as fullbacks, Andy Wood and Rob McNicol in the centre of defence, and Jack Tennant in goal.
Despite a spirited start from the Fire, it was SWQ who drew first blood, with Mark Rix scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area on five minutes.
The Fire looked to regroup immediately and created some quality chances. Verdin ran onto a long ball from Roberts, but fired a shot wide of goal. Then, after bulldozing his way into the penalty area, Roth slipped a pass for Verdin who in turn passed to Schultz, but Schultz’s effort went over the bar.
The first half wore on with the teams feeling each other out. Bell had an opportunity inside the penalty area, but SWQ keeper Nick Andrew dealt with the low shot easily.
On 27 minutes, the Fire found a goal. A corner from Lewis fell perfectly for Wood, who hit a scorching volley into the roof of the net to level the scores.
Spurred on by the goal, the Fire upped their intensity and worked hard for every ball. As half time approached, Bell put the Fire ahead after he slipped a shot past SWQ keeper Andrew from close range.
Although it looked as though the Fire would head to half-time 2-1 ahead, SWQ had other ideas. A free-kick from Jace Watt on 40 yards was aimed towards goal and curled towards the top corner. Tennant got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it from crossing the line, and scores were levelled.
After the break, Josh Taylor was brought on for Lewis, with Roth moved out to the right wing. It was Roth who provided an assist for the Fire’s third goal, swinging in a corner that Schultz bundled into the back of the net for a 3-2 advantage.
With the lead reinstated, the Fire looked a little more composed on the ball and linked up better. Fresh legs were then brought on, with Ray Schultz, Brad Wallace and Cohen Bell replaced by Ryan Delahunty, James Cooper and Kaine Frew.
Frew had an immediate impact, collecting a cross from Verdin on the left and rolling it past Andrew to give the Fire a 4-2 lead and some much needed breathing space.
With the match slipping away, SWQ stepped up their efforts and cut the Fire’s lead to one goal, with Jake Jones breaking the Fire’s defensive line and burying a shot on 65 minutes.
As full-time got closer, SWQ kept pressing for an equaliser, but the Fire were fighting valiantly. A goal-bound shot was well blocked by Roberts.
On 86 minutes, the Fire put the game beyond reach when Frew had a shot blocked, but Delahunty was on hand to walk the ball into an empty net for a 5-3 lead.
As the match ticked into injury time, a back pass went awry for SWQ and Delahunty took the chance, outpacing the defence and scoring one-on-one.
Delahunty went on to claim a quick-fire hat-trick with one of the last kick’s of the game, managing a clinical finish after being released in the penalty area.
The whistle sounded for a 7-3 victory, with the scoreline becoming lopsided in the closing minutes. After three losses, the Fire had showed plenty of resolve to pick up a handy victory.
The team have a bye next week, before facing Bundaberg Spirit in the final round of the season. Another victory is essential in that match if the Fire hope to hold onto second spot.
Sunshine Coast FC – 7 (Delahunty (3), Wood, Bell, Schultz, Frew)
South West Queensland – 3 (Rix, Watt, Jones)
