Only a week after notching the first win in the team’s history, the Gympie Fire have sprung an upset by defeating the Sunshine Coast Under-19s 1-0 in a tight contest at One Mile Ovals.
Dean Feldmeier’s second-half strike was enough for Gympie to consign the Sunshine Coast to their first loss of the season, highlighting the improvement that Gympie has made since the start of the season.
It was obvious from the opening minutes that there would be no love lost between the two Fire sides, with tackles flying thick and fast. Both sides looked desperate to get on top in the midfield battle, and the early minutes were played largely in the middle of the park.
For the Sunshine Coast, Rhys Roberts had the first chance of the game, as he headed into the side netting following a corner. Soon after, Gympie’s Tim Hollingworth found space in the penalty area and took a shot, but Sam Nickolls didn’t have to move to make the save.
There were eight goals scored the last time the two teams met, but neither side was looking likely to break the deadlock this time around. For the Sunshine Coast, Andy Harrison moved well down the left flank, beating two challenges and forcing a corner. From the corner, James Stinson missed the target at the far post.
Soon after, Harrison swung in a corner for Mitch Broom, but Broom’s header lacked power and was easy picking for Josh Dennis in goal for the Gympie Fire.
With half-time approaching, Gympie broke well down the middle of the pitch and Jarod Healy got a clear sight of goal, but Nickolls was up to the challenge.
The half finished scoreless, with neither side able to stamp their superiority on the contest – after managing four goals to half-time the last time the sides met, the Sunshine Coast Fire would have realised that their Gympie counterparts are a much improved outfit.
Substitute Kota Shibahashi almost scored immediately after the half-time break for the Sunshine Coast, but pulled his shot across the face of goal. Soon after, James Stinson forced a quality save from Dennis after he dribbled well down the right wing and cut in on goal.
The Sunshine Coast were beginning to look the more potent team going forward, and were controlling possession. Stinson had a call for penalty turned down when he went down in the box under pressure from Gympie keeper Dennis.
Despite much of the play being camped in the Sunshine Coast’s attacking half, it was Gympie who got on the scoreboard against the run of play on 62 minutes, to the delight of home supporters. Following a goal-kick, Dan Haas slipped a simple through-ball to Dean Feldmeier, who timed his run to perfection and moved in on goal one-on-one before beating Nickolls and finding the net.
With the game turned on its head, Gympie were 30 minutes away from a second consecutive victory. As the Sunshine Coast desperately fought to maintain their unbeaten streak, Gympie were looking disciplined in defence and refused to give an inch. James Verdin had a chance for the Sunshine Coast on 18 yards, but Dennis was untroubled.
The Sunshine Coast had a clear opportunity to equalise soon after when Kota Shibahashi took a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, but Dennis dropped well to save the dipping shot.
The match was turning into a tense, scrappy battle, and time was running out for the Sunshine Coast to equalise. On the brink of full-time, Luke Lewis won a corner that was delivered into the six yard box. With a pack of players attacking the ball, no-one could get a vital touch and knock it into the net, and Gympie were able to eventually clear their lines.
The full-time whistle sounded for an important victory for the Gympie Fire, a result which will do their confidence a world of good. The boys travel south to Meakin Park next Sunday to take on the Logan Strikers, and will be intent on taking another step up the HQSYL ladder.
Although the Sunshine Coast will be disappointed to fall to their first loss of the season, the boys will have a chance to prove their character next week when they face up with the Queensland Academy of Sport. Having beaten QAS once already this season, the Sunshine Coast will be gearing up for a repeat performance at the new Stockland Park Stadium. Kick-off is set for 4pm on Sunday, June 5.
FINAL SCORE: Sunshine Coast Fire Under-19s – 0
Gympie Fire Under-19s – 1 (Feldmeier, 62)
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