Words: Josh Martin
Additional Reporting: Jay Stewart
Images: Sunshine Coast FC

Sunshine Coast punished a sluggish Western Pride with two goals in the opening five minutes setting up a 3-1 win at Kawana Sports Precinct.

Paul Mikula opened the scoring from the penalty spot inside three minutes, before Fire doubled their advantage two minutes later when Grant De Chastel volleyed home a cross. 

Pride cut the deficit shortly after the restart through Will McFarlane but Fire substitute Paul Brownlie blasted home in the 87th minute to end a two-game losing run.

Sam Saif's side now leapfrog Pride into eighth, with the Ipswich outfit falling to second-bottom.

Key Moments

3’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - Alex Warrilow makes a run down the right before being brought down in the penalty area. Paul Mikula steps up and sends Duncan Short the wrong way.

5’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - Matthew Lyell delivers a cross from the left wing for Grant De Chastel to volley into the top corner from twelve yards out.

26’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE - Short does well to make himself big and palm away Connor Hancock's back-post header.

29’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE - Alex Warrilow shoots from outside the area but the ball smashes off the crossbar. Kobe Fuller collects the rebound and volleys into the goal, but it is disallowed for offside.

46’ - CHANCE FOR FIRE - Warrilow passes to Jeremey Stewart on the edge of the area but his shot lacks power and is caught by goalkeeper Short.

53’ - GOAL FOR PRIDE - Samuel Nickolls can only punch Corey Lucas' free-kick as far as Will McFarlane, who traps the ball on the edge of the box and hits home past the onrushing defenders.

87’ - GOAL FOR FIRE - Paul Brownlie receives a pass from Shoichi Koshimizu on the edge of the area, turns and fires past Short to seal all three points.

What They Said

 

“We were on a little bit of a downer but that result pushes us up the table. Right now, the secret is can we get two wins in the bounce? We're at home (next week) to the Fury. We'll prepare the same as every game and every week. Hopefully we can get a result.” – Sam Saif, Sunshine Coast FC coach.

 

“I thought in the first half we started really slowly. We didn't compete. You know when you go play Sam Saif’s side there's going to be a bit of aerial ping-pong going on so I don't think we competed with that early. We adjusted as the half went on but were a little behind the eight ball there. Sunny Coast have brought a lot of experience to the club now and they sort of saw the game out better. – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach.

Match Details

Playstation 4 National Premier League 2016 – Round 12

Sunday, 29 May
Kawana Sports Precinct, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC – 3 (Paul MIKULA p.3’ Grant DE CHASTEL 5’ Paul BROWNLIE 87’)
Western Pride FC – 1 (Will McFARLANE 53’)

 

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – Alex King (Referee), Ben Cook (Assistant), Phil Townsend (Assistant), Zac Keenan (Fourth)