Sunshine Coast Fire secured the inaugural NPL Queensland Under 18s premiership on Sunday afternoon with a 4-0 win over SWQ Thunder at Captain Cook Reserve in Toowoomba.

The result caps off an impressive season for the talented Fire youngsters, who pipped rivals Brisbane Strikers to a first place finish by a single point with their last round win.

Fire Under 18’s Boys coach Paul Arnison, who also plays central midfield for the senior side, kept preparations low key for the weekend’s match, but said his charges remained nervous at the start of the game.

“The tension showed in our game (during the first half) … we kept missing chance after chance, picking the wrong option – I think it was nerves and the importance of the game.”

Scores were locked nil-all at half time before captain Steve Lawrence (pictured, top) broke the deadlock – beating five players on a mazy run before slotting home an assured finish.

“You could see how much that goal meant to the boys, they started to relax into the game,” Arnison said.

Arnison suggested his half-time talk was important to getting his side to focus.

“I told them, ‘we just need to keep passing the ball simply and move. Once we get one goal we know we will get four or five.’”

Fire doubled their advantage soon after the opener with a wonder strike from Brandon Lee, who beat two defenders to fashion space before bending a firmly struck shot into the top corner of the net.

Josh Ives added the third for the visitors, slotting home from a tight angle, before Aidan Little (pictured, bottom) secured the result after finishing off Ryan McMaster’s run on the wing.

Arnison said he could not be more proud of the hard work his team had put in throughout the season including the since departed Jack Johnson, Luke Maclean and Elliot Marsay, who will return for the finals.

Sunshine Coast Fire technical director and senior men’s head coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said securing the Under 18’s boys premiership was a great achievement for the team and the club.

“This team has worked through challenges throughout the season, and winning the premiership has been a reward for all the effort they have put in,” he said.

“Coach Paul Arnison and the players can be extremely proud of the dedication they have shown in their first season.”

 

Words and Images: Emily Wilson (Sunshine Coast Fire)