Hyundai Queensland State League – Round Four
Sunshine Coast Fire v Southern Cross United
Staff Reporter – Kane Frampton
Four from four for the Sunshine Coast Fire, as the side recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory over new Brisbane side Southern Cross United on Sunday afternoon.
Two goals from Tyson Holmes and another from James Stinson lifted the Fire to an impressive victory, in an at times heated contest in Kawana.
With victories over the Brisbane Strikers, North Queensland Razorbacks, QAS and now Southern Cross, the Fire have effectively dealt with all challenges so far, and conceded just a single goal in the process. With a strong focus on attacking flair and some increased depth in defence, early signs are very positive for the Fire’s Premiership and Championship defence.
On a heavy pitch in Kawana, both sides took some time to come to terms with the conditions. Southern Cross had proven their worth during pre-season, and looked organised in the opening minutes. Nathan Papez swung in a dangerous cross from the left wing, but no United player was on hand to rush the ball into the net.
Up the other end, the Fire looked threatening with their early chances and Tyson Holmes almost opened the scoring in spectacular fashion. After neat passing between Shaun Blackman and Dylan Roberts, Holmes found himself in possession 20 yards out and struck a sweet left-footed drive into the crossbar. Thomas Boland countered strongly for Southern Cross United, but Ryan Smith timed a slide-tackle well to deny a scoring opportunity.
With the game evenly poised midway through the first half, Southern Cross carved out a number of chances, with Seamus Sharkey having an accurate header plucked out of the top corner, and Julian Zullo forcing a quality save out of Antony Hall when he found space inside the penalty area.
For the Fire, Jason Hicks held possession well near the left byline, before passing to James Stinson in the penalty area who mishit a shot under pressure.
In an increasingly physical game, each side was winning their share of possession through midfield. With Southern Cross holding a high defensive line, Hicks managed to get in behind United’s defence and sped down the left wing. He raced to the byline and held the ball as he waited for support, before finding Holmes in space six yards out. The captain made no mistake, slotting the ball home off the leg of a defender for a 1-0 lead on 37 minutes.
The Fire had struck the lead at an opportune moment, and set about doubling the advantage before half-time. On 42 minutes, as Aaron Brazendale rushed to pounce on a loose ball in United’s penalty area, the referee pulled up a United player for rough conduct and pointed to the spot.
The decision took both sides by surprise, and granted the Fire a chance to land a heavy blow before half-time. Holmes made no mistake from the spot as he blasted past a helpless Matt Stein in goal for United, opening up a two goal lead at the break.
Although probably fortunate to be up by two at the break, the Fire continued to attack in the second stanza, and it wasn’t long before that lead was increased. After 50 minutes, tidy passing between Shaun Blackman and Leon Dwyer gave Holmes possession on the left wing. Holmes settled before picking out Stinson at the far post with a low cross, and Stinson made no mistake from six yards, knocking the ball into the net for an almost insurmountable 3-0 lead.
With the contest tipped strongly in the Fire’s favour, Southern Cross had the better of the next period, with much of the play camped in the Fire’s defensive half. The organisation of Greig Henslee and Takanori Sato in the heart of the Sunshine Coast defence prevented too many opportunities, although Julian Zullo was unlucky not to peg one back for United.
Forward Judd Molea was brought on for his first game for the Fire after 65 minutes, and almost had an immediate impact. Showing electric pace, Molea intercepted a defensive pass and shaped to shoot, before putting the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
As full-time approached, Roberts picked out Hicks, who moved into the penalty and forced a good block out of Matt Stein, but in the end it was a 3-0 triumph for the Fire, and a six point QSL lead over the second-placed Brisbane Strikers, who have only played three games.
Coach Richard Hudson was pleased to come out on top in a rugged contest
“We knew we were in for a tough game today, they’ve (SCU) got some experienced players. I think the competition dictated the spectacle today, it probably wasn’t the best spectacle as a football game, but I think we stood up, we got goals, and they didn’t get in behind us too much, and in the end we got the three points.”
Next week will be the longest road-trip that the Fire face all season, as the boys make the tough trip north to Mareeba to take on the FNQ Bulls. With the Bulls suffering from early season delays and postponements due to wet weather, the Fire will be confident of stretching their winning streak to five games.
Kickoff for the Round Five clash is at 8pm on Saturday, April 9, at Borzi Park in Mareeba.
FINAL SCORE:
Sunshine Coast FC – 3 (Holmes, 37, 42,Stinson, 50)
Southern Cross United – 0
