Words: Emily Wilson
Image: Emily Wilson/Sunshine Coast Fire

Sunshine Coast Fire are out of NPL Queensland Finals contention after drawing nil-all with Northern Fury at Kawana Soccer Club on Sunday afternoon.

Neither side managed to take the lead with limited clear-cut chances in the wet and blustery conditions that saw both sides struggled to settle in the opening exchanges.

A series of piercing runs from James Verdin offered Fire chances from free-kicks and corner midway through the half while Fury worked hard to clear their lines.

Fury created chances of their own toward the end of the half as Kevin Fraser and Braedyn Crowley began to combine, however the final pass proved elusive.

While the opening stanza offered no clear cut opportunities, the match opened up more in the second half.

On 55 minutes, Fire captain Paul ARnison fed Jordan Miller’s run through the heart of Fury’s defence, only for Fury to close down the opportunity.

After the hour, Arnison again split the Fury backline to supply Miller, who couldn’t slot his shot past Fury goalkeeper Matthew Symes.

Futa Nakamura combined with Brady Cronk minutes later, only for the Japanese forward to direct his shot straight at Symes.

Fury pushed hard in the final ten minutes but were unable to convert a series of half chances as the match petered out.

The result leaves Fire in eighth place in the standings and are now out of contention for the NPL Queensland Finals Series.

Sunshine Coast Fire 0
Northern Fury 0