The dominant form of the Sunshine Coast Fire is showing no signs of abating, as the club recorded a commanding 3-1 win over the North Queensland Razorbacks on Sunday.
A goal three minutes into the game from Tyson Holmes set the tone, before Holmes and Shaun Blackman added two more after the break. Joshua Evans netted a consolation goal for the Razorbacks, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Fire from notching their seventh win of the season.
The match kicked off under blue skies at Gympie’s One Mile Ovals, and the Fire took the advantage in one of their first moves forward. James Verdin won a free-kick on the left sideline 30 yards out from goal, and Holmes stepped up to take the kick. The skipper hit a flat cross toward the far post that eluded everyone, including Razorbacks keeper Ryan Chellingworth, and nestled in the top corner.
After the dream start, the Sunshine Coast looked eager to press on and set about dominating possession. Chellingworth was again called upon when he got down well to save a dipping volley from Leon Dwyer after 10 minutes.
Although behind on the scoreboard, North Queensland were battling their way into the contest. Jacob Crowley moved well down the middle of the pitch, beating two challenges before scooping a shot over the bar from 20 yards out.
Both defences were very much on top as the first half wore on, with chances few and far between. A well-worked move from the Fire gave Jason Hicks an opportunity, but the last defender did well to block Hicks’ shot.
With half-time looming, North Queensland created some of their best chances of the match. Ben Richardson connected sweetly with a free kick from just outside the penalty area, but Antony Hall acrobatically tipped the shot over the bar. From the corner kick, Hall was again called upon to punch away Robin Edwards’ header, and keep the Fire a goal up at the break.
The young North Queensland side looked to increase their intensity early in the second half, with a free-kick from Lee Mayberry parried away for a corner by Hall.
Up the other end, the Sunshine Coast continued to look dangerous on the ball. Sam Knight won possession and raced along the right byline, slipping a pass across the face of goal that Chellingworth managed to cut out.
On 58 minutes, the Fire found themselves two goals ahead. Hicks had possession on the left flank, before spotting Holmes in yards of space on the edge of the area and slipping a pass to him. Holmes expertly found the bottom corner with a low shot to double the advantage and give the Fire some breathing space.
With the game slipping away from the Razorbacks, the visitors were still managing to cause some headaches in defence for the Fire, as Jae Eurell launched a shot from distance that Hall was forced to punch away for a corner.
On 72 minutes, the game was over as a contest as Shaun Blackman scored a third for the Fire. Tyson Holmes was released inside the penalty area, and settled on the right byline. He chipped a delicate cross toward Blackman at the far post, who made no mistake with his free header.
Although a result was now well beyond their reach, the Razorbacks pegged one back in stylish fashion through Joshua Evans. Following a corner, the ball fell sweetly for Evans on 18 yards, who cracked a powerful volley home at the near post to restore some pride for the visitors.
Jason Hicks and Tyson Holmes both had late chances to add to the tally, but in the end the Fire settled for a 3-1 victory. The result leaves the Sunshine Coast eight points clear of the Brisbane Strikers in second place, although the Strikers have a game in hand.
Coach Richard Hudson was happy to see his side once again control a close game.
“It was quite a competitive game, not a pretty game to watch. They came to get the points, and played some good football against us. The first half we played with a new formation that we haven’t played with this season, and we changed it in the second half, which seemed to suit us better - we put away the chances when they came to us. We’re pleased with the result overall, we outbattled them and came away with the win.”
The Sunshine Coast Fire will play their first home game at the new Stockland Park Stadium next Sunday, as the side hosts the Queensland Academy of Sport. With state-of-the-art facilities, the players will be looking forward to settling in at their new home. Kick-off is set for 2pm on Sunday, June 5.
Also upcoming is the Fire’s annual clash with the Brisbane Roar, as part of the Roar’s preseason Roadshow. The matches between the sides have been very entertaining in previous years, and the all-conquering Roar will be looking to put on a show. The match is scheduled for June 12 at Stockland Park Stadium, and more information will be given as it comes to light.
FINAL SCORE: Sunshine Coast FC – 3 (Holmes, 3, 58, Blackman, 72)
North Queensland Razorbacks – 1 (Evans, 84)
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