Hyundai Queensland State Youth League – Major Semi-Final
Sunshine Coast Fire v Brisbane Strikers
Sunday, August 29 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
After suffering defeat three times at the hands of the Brisbane Strikers this season, the Sunshine Coast Fire have exacted revenge at the best possible time with a gutsy 3-1 triumph.
After going a goal down early, the Fire rallied late in the second half with strikes from Ryan Delahunty and substitute Cohen Bell, who picked up a brace. The victory guarantees a Grand Final berth for the Fire, who have two weeks to prepare for their biggest match of the season.
The match kicked off at a high tempo, and it was the Fire who looked the more potent side early as they won a succession of corners. Joe McMahon connected well with a header, but Strikers keeper Brayden Nielsen made a comfortable save. Josh Taylor went close to scoring soon after, but his low shot was well blocked.
After being outplayed in the opening minutes, Brisbane settled into their game and began to string together passes. Sam Nickolls was forced into a fine save as he tipped a goal-bound shot from Alex Winters around the post for a corner.
After 20 minutes it was the Strikers who took the lead, when a powerful drive by Chris Maher beat Nickolls and found the net. After such a promising start, the Fire once again found themselves trailing Brisbane.
As the first half wore on, it was clear that the Fire were not about to lie down to the Strikers, as they pressed forward at every opportunity. Delahunty picked out Kaine Frew with an early cross, but the last defender for Brisbane did well to deny Frew. Soon after, Nick Roth released James Verdin, who volleyed over the crossbar.
Although Brisbane were frequently attacking down the flanks, fullbacks Matthew Bevan and Joe McMahon were doing well to curb the influence of their wingers. In the centre of defence, Rhys Roberts and Rob McNicol were using their height to deal with any aerial threats.
Half-time came with the match delicately poised, and the Sunshine Coast well in the contest. After the interval, it seemed a matter of time before they levelled the scores.
Taylor combined well with Luke Lewis before releasing Frew, who managed a shot on goal. For the Strikers, Dylan Goodman should have done better when he flashed a shot well wide from close in.
Midway through the second half, the Strikers were unlucky not to double their lead when Adam Sanders crashed a volley into the crossbar.
Matthew Bevan, Kaine Frew and Luke Lewis were substituted for James Cooper, Cohen Bell and Brad Wallace as the match came closer to its conclusion with the Fire still 1-0 down.
With the clock ticking, Delahunty and Taylor overlapped well inside the penalty area, and Taylor forced a save out of Neilsen from close range.
With 20 minutes to go, the frenetic pace which had prevailed all match showed no sign of slowing, and more goals seemed likely. Nickolls pulled off an excellent save when one-on-one with Lachlan Dale to keep the Fire in the contest. Soon after, strong work down the right wing from Roth earned him a shot on goal, which Nielsen saved well.
With around 15 minutes to go, the Sunshine Coast breached the Strikers defence with a well worked transition from defence to attack. McMahon worked down the left flank before finding Delahunty, who slipped a through ball to Bell. Bell steadied and beat the advancing Nielsen with a well-placed shot, which hit the back of the net and squared the ledger at 1-1.
Spurred on by the equalising goal, the Fire looked for the knockout blow before full-time. Roth had a chance, but volleyed wide from distance.
As full time approached, Delahunty dribbled into the penalty area and was brought down by Steven Merchant, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Delahunty left Nielsen flat-footed as he dispatched the ball into the corner with minimum fuss, and gave the Fire the lead on the brink of full-time.
As the match moved into injury time, a loose ball fell to Bell in the right of the penalty area. With time to spare, Bell connected with a volley that hit the crossbar on its way to finding the net.
With a late flurry of goals, the Fire had recorded a determined 3-1 victory against the odds.
The result qualifies the Fire for a Grand Final berth, were they will face either the Gold Coast, QAS, or the Brisbane Strikers again. That match will take place in a fortnight’s time, and the Fire will need to put together another 90 minutes of quality football to get over the line again.
Final Score: Sunshine Coast FC – 3 (Bell (2), Delahunty)
Brisbane Strikers – 1 (Maher)
