Hyundai Queensland State League – Round 21
Bundaberg Spirit v Sunshine Coast Fire
Sunday, August 15 – 3pm
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
The Hyundai Queensland State League this week enters its final round of fixtures, and the last hurdle before finals time for the Fire is getting past the Bundaberg Spirit.
With the Major Semi-Final against the Brisbane Strikers looming on August 29, this will be the last competitive fixture for the Fire before the finals campaign, and a good opportunity to try out a few new tactics before the crunch match with Brisbane.
Alterations to the Sunshine Coast’s formation paid dividends last week, with a comfortable 4-2 victory over the North Queensland Razorbacks. This result was achieved despite the Fire playing the majority of the match with 10 men, after Tyson Holmes was sent off for dissent. If the club is unsuccessful in appealing the decision, Holmes will be suspended for the trip to Bundaberg.
The trip to Bundaberg will be the second long journey in two weeks for the Sunshine Coast, so players may be rested for the fixture.
With four of the Fire’s young stars in James Stinson, Josh Taylor, Ryan Delahunty and Alex Henderson heading to Japan for trials next week, it is possible they will see limited game time this weekend in order to be fresh for the trip.
With a number of players on the brink of suspension after accumulating yellow cards, preventing further bookings will be vital against Bundaberg.
As for the Spirit, they will no doubt be intent on claiming a major scalp after giving the Fire a scare in Round 14. The Spirit were ahead 2-1 in that encounter before settling for a 3-3 draw, and will surely be desperate to go one better on Sunday.
Bundaberg have shown glimpses of form in recent weeks, and were in control against the Whitsunday Miners last weekend, leading 2-0 early in the second half before conceding twice to come home from Glenella with only a single point. The draw confirmed the Spirit would again finish at the bottom of the QSL ladder, but a much improved second-half of the season suggests the team is capable of gaining some ground next year.
Kick-off for the Round 21 fixture is at 3pm on Sunday, August 15, at Martens Oval in Bundaberg, and will be preceded by the Under-19 teams facing off at 1pm.
For the Under-19 Fire, a win is needed to confirm second spot on the ladder, with Queensland Academy of Sport four points behind and with a game in hand. Coming off a bye last weekend, the Fire will be fresh and go into the match against the sixth-placed Spirit full of confidence.
