Goals from Andy Harrison, who notched a hat-trick, and Nico Ford were enough for the Fire to notch their fourth consecutive win, after being locked 0-0 at the break.
The Fire would have entered the match full of confidence after defeating the Spirit 2-1 on their home patch last weekend, and would be looking to replicate the result in Kawana.
After a slow start, the Sunshine Coast began to exert their influence on the contest and threaten the Spirit’s goal. Joshua Atkinson looked to have got on the scoresheet when he read James Verdin’s corner well and headed towards goal, but the lines were cleared by the last defender.
Most of the play was buried inside the Fire’s attacking half as both sides began to settle into their rhythm, but the Spirit were holding form and doing well to prevent clear-cut opportunities.
After 25 minutes, Frew got his head to an accurate cross but missed across the face of goal. Soon after, a free-kick from Andy Gillen had to be tipped over the bar by Spirit keeper Daniel Smith.
Half an hour into the game, the referee spotted an infringement in the box and blew the whistle for a Spirit penalty. Tom Evans stepped up to convert for the Spirit, but Sam Nickolls had other ideas, guessing correctly and moving low to his right to make a fine save and keep the Fire on an even keel.
Buoyed by their lucky escape, the Fire continued to create as half-time approached. Mitch Broom had a strong effort saved at the near post, before Aaron Brazendale missed a good opportunity when he volleyed over the bar from inside the penalty area.
The Fire started the second half with a wealth of possession, but were continuing to struggle in the attacking third. Rob McNicol raced to meet a loose ball in the penalty area, but skied his shot over the crossbar.
After an hour of play, the deadlock was finally broken through substitute Andy Harrison. Kaine Frew did well to ride several challenges outside the area before finding space to shoot. He attempted to angle a low shot past Spirit keeper Smith, who got a hand to the shot but couldn’t stop Harrison from pouncing on the rebound and netting for a 1-0 Fire lead.
The Sunshine Coast continued to apply themselves in the wake of their goal, and it wasn’t long before they notched again. A long free-kick from Daniel King cleared the keeper, and Harrison read the ball well and knocked it home at the far post to double the lead.
As the match entered the final 15 minutes with the result looking fairly secure, Harrison completed his second half hat-trick when he bundled home a good cross from a few yards out, effectively ending the contest. With the three points in the bag, Nico Ford tried his luck from distance, catching the keeper napping and finding the net with a fine 20 yard strike to extend the lead to four goals.
After playing out the final minutes in style the whistle sounded for a well deserved 4-0 victory, a worthy reward for a dogged performance that improved as the match went on.
FINAL SCORE: Sunshine Coast FC – 4 (Harrison, 60, 72, 82, Ford, 84)
Bundaberg Spirit - 0
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