Hyundai Queensland State Youth League – Round Eight
Sunshine Coast Fire v Sunshine Coast Zone 16s
The Under-19 Sunshine Coast Fire side have continued their impressive winning form, thumping the Sunshine Coast Zone 16s with a 5-1 victory in Kawana.
James Verdin, Kaine Frew, Nick Roth, Mitch Broom and Andy Gillen all got their names on the scoresheet as the Fire recorded their sixth consecutive victory.
The Fire had every right to play with confidence after five straight wins, and were lively in the opening minutes. Strong work from Mitch Broom granted Andy Harrison a chance, but Harrison shot over the bar on his left foot. Andy Gillen also put an effort over the bar in the following minutes, after riding a challenge and settling on his right foot.
With both sides settling in, it was an open contest as each team moved the ball quickly. Jordon Burgess was unlucky not to score for the Zone 16s, as his volley was blocked on the line by Fire keeper Damien Cox.
As the first half continued, the Fire looked to be gaining the upper hand but were not turning their weight of possession into goals. This changed after 40 minutes, when James Verdin beat a strong challenge on the left flank, before carving a path to goal and beating the keeper from six yards out.
Spurred on by their lead, the Fire doubled the advantage just before half-time, with Verdin doing well to get in behind the defence on the left flank. He picked out Kaine Frew on six yards, and the striker made no mistake as he tucked the ball into the net.
The Fire looked to continue the second half in the same vein, with Frew forcing a strong save after connecting well with a volley. Soon after, James Verdin was released one-on-one but had his shot blocked.
On 54 minutes, the Fire stretched the lead to 3-0. Substitute Kota Shibahashi sped into the penalty area before chipping the keeper, but the ball rebounded off the foot of the right post. Nick Roth pounced on the rebound and slammed the ball home.
Although the Fire were dominating, the Zone 16s were showing plenty of effort and were rewarded with a goal on 68 minutes. Josh Phelps won possession in the Fire’s defensive half and moved in on goal, beating Cox from close range.
The goal spurred the Fire back into action, and the side showed their maturity to continue controlling the match. Mitch Broom was rewarded with a fine goal on 78 minutes, when he collected a corner kick outside the penalty area, before smashing a low drive inside the left upright from 18 yards out.
With full-time approaching, the Fire were dogged in their pursuit of a fifth goal and it was Andy Gillen who obliged, prodding home from close range after a scramble in the penalty area to record a convincing 5-1 victory for the Sunshine Coast Fire.
It was another disciplined performance from the Fire, who created a wealth of chances and converted enough to ensure that the result was never in doubt. The next challenge for the unbeaten side will be an away fixture against the Bundaberg Spirit, who this week defeated the Gympie Fire 3-1. Kick-off for the Fire’s Round 9 match will be at 5pm on Saturday May 14, at Across the Waves Sports Ground in Bundaberg.
FINAL SCORE: Sunshine Coast Fire – 5(Verdin, 40, Frew, 44, Roth, 54, Broom, 78,Gillen, 83)
Sunshine Coast Zone 16s – 1(Phelps, 68)
