The Brisbane Strikers have got their revenge for last week’s defeat, snatching a late goal to clinch a 2-1 victory over the Fire and set up an exciting return leg on the Coast on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half, Sean Burke put the home side ahead on 58 minutes with a classy header, before Tyson Holmes levelled the scores with a scorching free-kick after 80 minutes. Ben Griffin broke the hearts of the Fire when he scored in injury time to secure a 2-1 win. In an evenly poised game, Holmes’ away goal may prove telling as the sides return to Kawana to face off on Sunday.
On their home patch at Perry Park, the under-strength Strikers were lively early as they sought to make up for last week’s disappointment. Jonti Richter connected well with a header from 18 yards out after a cross from Ben Griffin, but the ball went well clear of the crossbar. Soon after, the Strikers were again on the attack as Chris Di Sipio chipped a good ball toward Sean Burke, but it crossed the byline before Burke could take a shot on goal.
Although Brisbane had the better of the opening exchanges, the Fire managed a few chances of their own. Sam Knight sent in an early ball from the left flank, but Strikers keeper Brendan White snatched it away from Gareth Musson as he prepared to head it.
After 25 minutes of even, desperate football from the two sides, Brisbane were given a good chance when they won a free-kick 20 yards out from the Fire’s goal. Strikers captain Chay Hews struck the free-kick beautifully, but the shot could only clip the crossbar and pass over the goal.
Minutes later, the Fire were unlucky not to score against the run of play when Jason Hicks made an interception in Brisbane’s defensive half. Hicks then slipped a pass to Holmes, who had made a run into the right side of the penalty area. Holmes steadied and shot toward the near post, where White did well to parry the ball away. After a miscued clearance, Hicks again found himself in possession but could only force an excellent reflex save from White when he shot from a few metres out.
As the end of the first half approached, the Sunshine Coast were holding firm and managing a more even share of possession, but were making little impression in their attacking third. For the home side, Chris Maher produced a strong run before lashing over the bar from distance in the final moments of the half.
It was a half of quality, disciplined football, with the defences of each side very much on top. In the opening minutes of the second half, Musson released Hicks with a neat pass, but Brendan White produced another impressive save when Hicks shot from the left of the penalty area.
On 58 minutes, the Strikers hit the front to the delight of home supporters. A long free-kick from Hews was anticipated well by Sean Burke just inside the penalty area. Burke rose above the defenders and flicked a header past Antony Hall’s outstretched hand to give Brisbane the advantage.
As fiercely contested as the match had been, both sides turned up the pace in the final half hour. As Sean Burke shaped to shoot from the edge of the area, a strong block from Alex Henderson cleared the ball to safety. Minutes later, a free-kick from Jonti Richter left Antony Hall flat-footed, but the powerful shot curled away from the left upright.
As the match got closer to its end and with the Fire mostly attacking on the break, Tyson Holmes went to ground after a challenge from Ben Griffin, and was awarded a free-kick 20 yards out. Holmes stepped up to shoot, and curved a powerful and accurate ball into the top corner, leaving White no hope as the ball hit the back of the net and left the game all square with 10 minutes to play.
Having secured a vital away goal, the Fire pressed forward in the hopes of grabbing another. Musson shot under pressure from the edge of the area minutes after, but White had no problems saving the low shot.
The Sunshine Coast’s recent run of wins over their Brisbane rivals would have given them hope of sneaking a victory, but it wasn’t to be – two minutes into injury time, a free-kick from Hews was floated towards a scrum of players at the far post, with Ben Griffin angling a header past Antony Hall to break the hearts of the Sunshine Coast and delight the Perry Park fans.
After another minute of play, the final whistle sounded to the glee of Brisbane supporters – their team had responded to last week’s result in positive fashion, and will carry a slender lead into next week’s return leg in Kawana.
Although a disappointing result for the Fire, the loss was not due to lack of effort. The side defended fiercely for the full 90 minutes and conceded two well-taken goals, but could not create enough chances to come home with the advantage. Richard Hudson admitted that the side’s preparation had been hindered by illness to some players, and that next week will see the Fire continue to play their usual attacking game in the hope of overturning the result.
The Fire will again face an A-League opponent in a friendly this week, with Gold Coast United venturing north to Sunshine Coast Stadium. Kick-off is on Wednesday at 6.30pm. The Major Semi-Final return leg will be played on Sunday at 2pm, also at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
FINAL SCORE – Sunshine Coast FC – 1 (Holmes, 81)
Brisbane Strikers – 2 (Burke, 58, Griffin, 90)
LINEUP – Hall, Knight, Henslee, Smith, Henderson, Dwyer, Holmes, Roberts (Blackman), Stinson, Hicks (Brazendale), Musson.
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