Words & Image: Sunshine Coast Fire

Sunshine Coast Fire moved within two points of the top four with a 2-0 win over second-placed Moreton Bay United on Sunday at Stockland Stadium.

A brace from Reyze Kelly secured the home side full share of the points, adding to last week's hat-trick to take his tally to five goals this season.

Fire applied pressure from the first whistle and threatened early when Jayke Cushschieri’s fifth minute free-kick resulted in a goal mouth scramble.

On 12 minutes a threatening cross from Dave Macrae found Futa Nakamura but the Japanese attacker headed just wide of the target.

Moreton Bay saw their first chance on 15 minutes when a slip-up from Chiharu Kosuge gifted possession to Charles Mendy, however the forward sent his shot over the bar.

Mendy again had a chance on the 21^st minute from a Royce Browlie cross, however his header again failed to find the target.

Fire responded barely a minute later as Nakamura made a low cross from the goal line in to Kelly, who poked the ball home from six-yards out.

Fire continued to create chances, with the partnership of Jordan Miller and Brock Messenger down the right flank causing Jets problems.

After the half hour, Nakamura found space in the penalty area but could only direct his shot straight at Jets goalkeeper Luke Borean.

Ten minutes later Nakamura threatened again, intercepting on half way and running into the area but dragging his shot left of the target.

Fire continued to apply the pressure after the restart with Nakamura volleying over the bar shortly on 47 minutes.

Three minutes later Borean handballed outside his area, however made amends to deny Paul Arnison’s driven attempt from the resulting set-piece.

Jets spurned a chance in the 52^nd minute when Mendy pulled his shot wide, however it was Fire who were again on the scoreboard in the 61st minute as Kelly received a low cross from Nakamura and slotted the ball in from six yards.

Jets danger-man Brownlie forced a save from Fire keeper Sam Nickolls just five minutes later with a driving free-kick as the visitors sought to reduce the margin, however Fire remained dangerous with a flurry of chances.

Fire sought to close out the result in the final ten minutes, sitting behind the ball to further frustrate the Jets attack – the visitors missing the final chance of the game when Schuemack’s header was palmed away by Nickolls.

The results marks two straight wins for Fire and keeps last year’s semi-finalists well within reach of a second successive finals appearance despite an up and down campaign.

Sunshine Coast Fire 2 (Reyze KELLY 22, 61’)
Moreton Bay Jets 0