Round 4 Preview - Fire v Southern Cross United

After recording three away wins to start the season, the Sunshine Coast Fire find themselves at home for the first time this week as they meet new Brisbane side Southern Cross United on Sunday.

Alongside the Gold Coast Stars, Southern Cross United have proven themselves to be capable outfits early in 2011, with strong performances suggesting that both sides will be in finals contention at the end of the season. Southern Cross United claimed the Clem Jones Shield during the pre-season, a result which will leave them confident of immediate success in the QSL.

The new outfit have had mixed fortunes early on in the QSL season, winning a rain-affected Round 1 encounter with the Capricorn Cougars 4-2, and suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the North Queensland Razorbacks in Round 3.

A greater challenge will be posed by the Sunshine Coast Fire, who have strung together three wins to start the season, and will be playing on home soil for the first time on Sunday.

The Fire survived a scare against QAS last week, going down 1-0 at half time before burying the academy side with three second-half goals. The Fire’s ability to score goals in quick succession will be a concern for Southern Cross, with 90 minutes of concerted effort needed if the Brisbane team is to get something out of the game.

After being outplayed for much of the first half against QAS, the Fire will be looking to find their mark immediately against Southern Cross on the weekend, and avoid going behind on the scoreboard.

Kick-off for the Round 4 match will be at 2pm on Sunday April 3, at Stockland Park’s Western Fields on Milieu Place, Bokarina. The match will be followed by the Under-19 Fire, who take on their Southern Cross United counterparts at 4pm.

The Under-19 Fire notched their first win last week with a strong 4-2 victory over QAS, with the side twice going behind on the scoreboard before wrestling a win. The boys will have taken heart from their slick work in attack against QAS, and will be confident of more goals against Southern Cross United.

Round 3 Senior Match Report - Fire v QAS

Three weeks into the season and the Sunshine Coast Fire have maintained their perfect record, running out 3-1 winners over the Queensland Academy of Sport on Saturday evening.

Second-half goals from Tyson Holmes and a double from Jason Hicks were enough for the Fire to register their third away win of the season, after QAS took the lead early in the first half through Kenneth Dougall.

Both sides looked keen to establish themselves early, with the Fire looking to control the centre of the park. An early chance came on six minutes when the Fire won a free-kick 20 yards out. Tyson Holmes opted to play a short ball to Dylan Roberts, who forced a reflex save out of QAS keeper Matthew Acton from close range.

Composed of some of the state’s brightest young prospects, the QAS side looked dangerous in attack. Mitch Cooper went close after 10 minutes, blasting an effort narrowly wide on his left boot.

With the home side continuing to press, the opening goal came on 15 minutes. A loose ball in defence failed to be cleared by the Fire, with Kenneth Dougall on hand to smash the ball past Antony Hall, who could only watch as it hit the back of the net.

It was the first goal conceded by the Fire in three fixtures, and spurred the side into action. Shaun Blackman got a head to an accurate Aaron Brazendale cross, but couldn’t steer the ball under the crossbar. Meanwhile, QAS were still threatening with direct play up forward, as Takanori Sato did well to block a goal-bound shot from Jayke Cuschieri.

Midway through the first half, attacking options were thin on the ground for the Fire as QAS dictated terms. A defensive lapse granted Holmes a one-on-one opportunity, but keeper Acton produced a fine block to keep out the Fire’s best chance of the match. Minutes later Holmes was put clean through again, but this time was forced wide and missed with a left-footed shot.

The Sunshine Coast were beginning to work their way into the contest, and Brazendale looked to have a good chance when he read Blackman’s flicked header well, but the flag was up for offside. Meanwhile, QAS went close to doubling the lead on the brink of half-time, when Jacob McLean spotted Hall off his line, but his chipped shot lacked accuracy.

Half-time came with the Fire in the unfamiliar position of being behind on the scoreboard. With the boys needing a spark, James Stinson and Leon Dwyer were brought on in an attempt to exploit the flanks, and livewire Jason Hicks was moved into a forward position to play off Shaun Blackman.

The move almost paid dividends early in the half, when Hicks hit an early cross to Blackman on six yards who tried to flick the ball past Acton, but the keeper was well-placed to make a block.

Fifteen minutes into the second half and Fire fans must have been wondering where the vital goal was going to come from, but they need not have worried. Hicks spotted a sizeable gap between the two QAS centre backs, and slipped the ball to Holmes, who coolly converted inside the left upright to level the scores.

With parity restored, the Sunshine Coast looked far more comfortable on the ball, and managed to hit the front only minutes later. Stinson broke quickly down the right wing, rounding the fullback and delivering a cross towards the far post. Acton rushed to cut it out but the ball only brushed his fingertips and fell kindly for Hicks, who found the net from a few yards out.

Stinson was again involved soon after, picking out Blackman with a corner kick, but the target man flicked his header just over the bar.

With things turning around for the Fire, QAS almost equalised from nowhere, when Elliot Ronto flashed a shot across the face of goal from a quick build-up. However up the other end, the Fire were really beginning to hit their attacking straps and killed off the contest with a third goal. Tidy work from Dylan Roberts released Hicks just inside the crowded penalty area, who balanced and beat Acton with a clean strike. 

QAS had a chance to halve the deficit soon after, when a deflection bounced along the face of the Fire’s open goal, but no QAS player was on hand to tap it in. With full-time approaching, Brandon Borello tried his luck from 20 yards, but Hall made the block with ease.

Up the other end, Stinson went close to adding his own name to the scoresheet when he shot from an acute angle 20 yards out, putting a well-struck effort inches over the crossbar.

The whistle sounded for a 3-1 victory to the Fire, who came through with a flurry of goals when the side had their backs to the wall. With maximum points from three fixtures so far, early signs continue to be very promising for the side’s title defence.

Next week the Sunshine Coast will contest their first home fixture of the season, as they do battle with Southern Cross United. Kickoff for the Round 4 fixture is set for 2pm on Sunday April 3, at Stockland Park’s Western Fields.

FINAL SCORE: Sunshine Coast FC - 3 (Holmes, 61, Hicks, 64, 73)

                      Queensland Academy of Sport - 1 (Dougall, 15)

Starting Line-up

Hall, Knight (Henderson, 70), Henslee, Sato, Smith, Shibahashi (Dwyer 45), Roberts, Holmes, Hicks, Brazendale (Stinson, 45), Blackman.

Round 3 Under-19 Match Report - Fire v QAS

The Sunshine Coast Fire have had to come from behind twice to score a victory over the Queensland Academy of Sport, eventually prevailing 4-2 on Saturday evening.

Goals from Kaine Frew, Mitch Broom, Josh Atkinson and Josh Taylor helped the Fire secure their first win of the season, after a scoreless draw in Round One against the Brisbane Strikers.

It was a spirited opening to the contest at Meakin Park, with the Fire looking hungry in the opening exchanges. With possession evenly spread, QAS opened the scoring in their first genuine attack on goal, when Brendan Gonano connected sweetly with a half-volley that took a deflection and left Sam Nickolls helpless in goal.

Up against it early on, the Fire had to rally and created some chances of their own. James Verdin dribbled well down the right wing and along the byline, but his cross was intercepted before it could reach a target. Soon after, a strong solo effort from Josh Taylor almost yielded a goal as he bulldozed through the defence and shot on the outside of his boot, but QAS keeper Jakob Smith made a good save.

Midway through the first half it was a tight tussle at Meakin Park, as the Fire began to wrestle control of the midfield. On 26 minutes, the Fire combined smartly to level the scores. Luke Lewis controlled the ball well on the left wing, before timing a neat through-pass for Josh Taylor, who sped down the wing, spearing a left-foot cross to the far post where Kaine Frew knocked the ball home from six yards out.

With the game back on level terms, the Sunshine Coast would have been disappointed to be once again trailing minutes later, when a rare lapse from Sam Nickolls granted Josh Riis a scoring opportunity, which he converted with ease.

Despite being behind on the scoreboard, the Fire looked the more dangerous team going forward as the first half wore on. Joe McMahon forced a save with an accurate shot from distance, while Rhys Roberts flashed a shot across the face of goal on 41 minutes.

On the verge of half-time, Joe McMahon fought hard for a loose ball on the left wing, before curling an accurate cross into the crowded penalty area, where Mitch Broom balanced himself well and hit a piercing volley into the top corner, to level scores at 2-2 going into half-time.

The Fire started the second half the same way they finished the first, as they worked hard to force a corner. Verdin swung in a corner from the right, with Josh Atkinson connecting sweetly with a header that sailed into the top corner, to give the Fire a 3-2 lead after 48 minutes.

Spurred on by finally taking the lead, the Fire continued to cause problems as substitute Andy Harrison worked hard down the left wing, eventually forcing a strong save out of keeper Smith when he let loose from the edge of the area.

With the match getting closer to full-time, coach Paul Edwards rotated the squad heavily to try and prevent fatigue and hold out the attack of QAS. The home side was still holding out hope of getting something from the game, as Brendan Gonano lashed a shot from distance wide of goal following a corner.

After 81 minutes, Josh Taylor got his reward for a robust performance when he collected a pass inside the penalty area and slotted a goal from six yards, making the score 4-2. With the match over as a contest, Harrison had a chance to add a fifth goal for the Fire, but put his effort just wide from close range as full-time beckoned.

The whistle sounded for a 4-2 victory for the Fire, who had to dig deep after twice falling behind in the first half, and showed plenty of character to get over the line.

Round 4 of the HQSYL will see the Fire doing battle at home for the first time this season, taking on Southern Cross United at Stockland Park’s Western Fields. Kickoff is set for 4pm on Sunday April 3.

FINAL SCORE - Sunshine Coast FC - 4 (Frew, 26, Broom, 42, Atkinson, 48, Taylor, 81)

                      Queensland Academy of Sport - 2 (Gonano, 10, Riis, 28)

Round 3 Preview - Fire v QAS

The Sunshine Coast Fire are back on the road again this weekend, making the familiar trip south to Logan to take on the Queensland Academy of Sport on Saturday.

After taking maximum points from the North Queensland Razorbacks last round, confidence will be high for the Fire and anything short of three points against QAS will be met with disappointment.

For QAS, it will be their first match in a fortnight, after their Round 2 fixture with the Strikers was postponed. In Round 1, the young side fought out a 1-1 draw with the Whitsunday Miners.

In the corresponding fixture last season the Fire ran out 5-1 winners, but QAS are always capable of an upset with their young players full of raw ability.

With two wins and two clean sheets recorded by the Fire so far, signs are very positive for the 2011 competition. With Ryan Smith, Leon Dwyer, Dylan Roberts and Victor Fenehia all getting game time against the Strikers in Round 1, it is clear that the Fire will have strength in depth this season. This depth may prove useful in the latter part of the season, when fatigue and injuries begin to take their toll.

The Japanese duo of Takanori Sato and Kota Shibahashi are also playing important roles, and are acclimatising well to Australian football according to Richard Hudson.

“Both players are having an impact on the team, Taka has been showing his class in defence. It takes some time to get used to the physical side of the QSL, but both are quality players and are adding a new dimension to our side”.

Adding to the international flavour of the Fire this year is New Zealander Jason Hicks and Solomon Islander Judd Molea. Both attacking players, Hudson believes the side is even more potent with Jason and Judd in the ranks.

“Jason got some game time in Ayr, and looked very good. He will hopefully take some of the creative weight away from Tyson Holmes, who gets so much attention from other teams. We are still awaiting clearance on Judd, but he has been training very strongly and will be a revelation when he gets out on the pitch.”

Kick-off for the Round 3 fixture is set for 6pm on Saturday March 26, at Meakin Park in Slacks Creek. The Under-19 Fire will meet QAS in a curtain-raiser at 4pm. With the Under-19s having a bye last week, the boys will be desperate to get out on the pitch and notch their first win of the season.

Round Two Wrap-Up - Fire v Razorbacks

Two weeks into the QSL season and Queensland’s torrid run with weather is continuing to affect the competition. Of the five games scheduled for Round 2, four were postponed, with only the Fire’s clash with the North Queensland Razorback’s going ahead.

The match finished in a 3-0 win for the Fire, courtesy of an own goal and a Tyson Holmes brace.

Although scheduled for kick-off in Townsville at 7pm, the match was brought forward to a 4pm start and moved to International Park in Ayr, as the Townsville ground was washed out.

The changes did little to damage the Fire’s preparation according to coach Richard Hudson, who was glad his charges didn’t have to wait around for hours until kick-off time. The earlier kick-off did affect match conditions however, with temperatures in the mid-thirties and humidity very high.

“It was absolutely stifling out there, to the point the referees ordered a drinks break midway through each half. We had to warm up for the game in any shade we could find,” Hudson said.

The match kicked off and the Sunshine Coast had early opportunities to score through Aaron Brazendale and Shaun Blackman, but an opening goal went begging. Despite the early possession, it was a horrendous mix-up between Razorback teammates that yielded the Fire’s first goal, with Robin Stewart notching a mortifying own-goal on 11 minutes.

With the North Queensland outfit disappointed to go behind so early, the Fire pressed the advantage and continued to dictate terms. With ten minutes to go in the first half, new captain Tyson Holmes netted his first goal of the QSL season to put the Fire two up at the break.

The Sunshine Coast had a number of chances to add to the tally after half-time, but it wasn’t until late in the game when Holmes added a third for a comfortable 3-0 victory.

The result puts the Fire three points clear atop the QSL ladder, albeit against sides who have only played one game, or in the case of the FNQ Bulls and Gold Coast Stars, no games at all.

After 180 minutes of football, the Fire are yet to concede a goal and have been largely unchallenged in defence. Richard Hudson attributes this to the Fire’s goal to dominate possession.

“Our priority is on scoring goals, and so long as we can continue to do that our defence will take care of itself. Though I do believe that our boys at the back are very solid and understand each other, and the results are showing that.”

As for the Fire’s youth teams, the Under-19s had a bye while the Gympie Fire went down 3-1 at home against the Logan Strikers. 3-0 down at the break, the Gympie boys rallied to win the second half and carry some momentum into next week. It was a noted improvement on Round 1, when the Fire went down 7-2 against Southern Cross United.

 Although the Gympie Fire are winless after two games, Hudson believes the side have progressed a great deal in a short space of time.

“From where the team started from to where they are now, the progression has been fantastic -  the boys have come on in leaps and bounds. They are a young side with the majority of players aged 16 or 17, and did well to win the second half against Logan on the weekend. The team is a work-in-progress at this stage, but I have no doubts the results will come in time.”