Hyandai Queensland State Youth League – Round 7
Sunshine Coast Fire U19 vs. Bundaberg Spirit U19
Sunday May 9, 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
There were goals aplenty for the Sunshine Coast Fire Under-19’s, as the team thrashed the Bundaberg Spirit 6-0 in Round 7 of the Hyundai Queensland State Youth League.
After suffering back-to-back losses in Rounds 3 and 4 to the Gold Coast and the Brisbane Strikers, the Fire have got their season back on track with wins over South West Queensland, North Star in a friendly, and this week the Bundaberg Spirit.
The Fire earned and maintained possession with ease, and produced some quality finishes through clever build up play. It took mere minutes for the team to get on the scoresheet.
Down the left flank, James Verdin played a neat one-two with Ryan Delahunty before steaming in on goal, beating his marker for pace. Verdin flicked the ball past the incoming keeper for a classy finish and a 1-0 lead.
After such a strong start the Fire seemed likely to double the advantage, and looked well organised across the park. It was almost 2-0 when Delahunty cut inside from the right flank, steadied himself on his left foot, and shot over the bar.
The Fire were then given a clear-cut opportunity to score a second, after being awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. Kaine Frew stepped up to take the spot-kick, but failed to make the keeper work as he blasted the ball high of goal.
After this disappointment, Bundaberg looked to capitalise when awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, but the shot went well over the bar. Although they had a fair share of possession, the Spirit were struggling to break down Rhys Roberts and Matthew Bevan in defence.
Bundaberg went very close to squaring the ledger as the half wore on. Keeper Jack Tennant rushed out and tried to deal with a loose ball, but the ball fell to the advantage of a Spirit player. Only last gasp defending from the Fire prevented the scores from being levelled.
As the first half hour of play passed, it was becoming apparent that the Fire were a cut above in terms of ball movement – only missed opportunities were keeping Bundaberg in the game.
A golden opportunity was spurned when Wallace found Frew in space on the right of the penalty area. Frew drew the keeper and passed to Delahunty, who blasted high from a few yards out, much to the dismay of Fire fans.
But fans didn’t have to wait long for a second Sunshine Coast goal. Verdin raced the Spirit keeper to a loose ball on the edge of the area, and got the vital first touch. Composing himself, he found Brad Wallace unmarked, who slotted the ball home from close range.
In the second half, the Fire looked to maintain the fine passing and transition play of the first stanza. Fullbacks James Cooper and Joe McMahon were exploiting the flanks well and pushing forward when given the opportunity, while Josh Taylor and Nick Roth controlled the midfield.
In one of the first attacks of the second half, Kaine Frew found himself in space and shot from 20 yards. The Bundaberg keeper looked to have the shot covered, but his attempt at a parry slipped through his fingers and the ball nestled in the bottom corner, gifting the Fire a 3-0 lead.
Facing a 3-0 deficit, the Spirit looked to make the most of the limited possession they were getting and almost scored against the run of play, but their striker’s low shot lacked power.
For the Sunshine Coast, a fourth goal seemed likely when Frew found himself one-on-one with the keeper. As Frew looked to round the keeper, he stuck out a hand and brought Frew to the ground, earning the Fire another penalty. Bundaberg’s punishment wasn’t over though, as the referee issued a red card to the keeper and reduced the team to ten men. Substitute Dylan Davis duly converted the penalty, playing a tidy shot into the right corner.
With only ten men and four goals down, any comeback was surely impossible for the Bundaberg Spirit. For the remainder of the match, they struggled to put together a meaningful attack on goal.
The Fire however, looked keen to turn the match into a rout. A nicely weighted through-ball from Josh Taylor found Kaine Frew, who slotted his second goal from close range.
In the closing minutes it was 6-0 when a strong solo effort from substitute Cohen Bell earned him a goal, as he cut inside from the right flank and scored at the near post.
The final whistle sounded in a dominant display by the impressive Fire outfit, who are playing with much improved discipline and showing great proficiency on the ball.
Next week the Sunshine Coast Fire travel to Meakin Park at Slacks Creek, to take on the Logan Strikers. Kickoff is on Saturday May 15 at 5pm.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC U19 – 6 (Verdin, Frew (2), Wallace, Davis, Bell)
Bundaberg Spirit U19 – 0
