Sunshine Coast Fire secured their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon, overcoming Western Pride 3-1 at Stockland Stadium.

Futa Nakamura opened accounts on debut for Fire, with Matt Needham and Ryan Delahunty adding to the host’s tally in the second half. Pride’s only joy came courtesy of an own goal late in the contest.

Both teams battled the heat and wind on the Stockland Stadium pitch in what was a physical, scrappy game in the opening minutes.

The Fire started to press higher after 15 minutes, forcing errors from Western Pride and allowing early opportunities for Needham, Delahunty, Reyze Kelly and Nakamura.

On 39 minutes Brock Messenger’s crossed wasn’t dealt with by the Pride defence, with Nakamura able to finish off Needham’s prior attempt.

After the restart the Fire concentrated on soaking up the pressure from Western Pride. Some good work from Pride Captain Will Jordan down the left forced a number of corners while Ben Hunt was busy in the midfield.

Fire came back into the contest and on 63 minutes Delahunty picked up a through-ball from the midfield to open up the Pride defence.

Delahunty cut back inside a defender before picking out Needham at the far post, who headed into an empty net.

Pride continued to force corners and late in the second-half a corner-kick from the left-hand side struck Fire’s Messenger, deflecting the ball into his own goal.

Delahunty continued his early-season goal scoring form in the 86^th minute, picking up the ball on the half-way line and outpacing one defender before cutting back to his left foot to finish calmly to the keeper’s left.

The result lifts Fire off the bottom of the table into tenth position. Pride remain without a win from their opening three fixtures and sit in thirteenth place ahead of CQFC Energy on goal difference.

Sunshine Coast Fire 3 (Futa Nakamura 39’, Matt NEEDHAM 63’, Ryan DELAHUNTY 86’)
Western Pride 1 (own goal 76’)

 

Words & Image: Sunshine Coast Fire