Words & Image: Emily Wilson, Sunshine Coast Fire

A hat-trick from Alex Smith has helped FNQ FC Heat consign Sunshine Coast Fire to their third straight loss on Sunday at Stockland Stadium following an impressive 4-1 win.

Smith struck all three of his goals in the second half, adding to Crios O’Hare’s first half opener. Fire’s sole strike came in the 70^th minute courtesy of Japanese import Futa Nakamura.

The best of the early chances in a tight opening half hour fell to the hosts, Ryan Delahunty saw his fifth minute attempt saved by Heat’s American goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak before Reyze Kelly saw his pile-driver shot strike the woodwork on 20 minutes.

In the 38^th minute Heat mustered thier first opportunity through Smith – the former A-League player’s free kick skimming the right hand post of Antony Hall’s goal.

Heat continued to take the initiative leading to the opening goal just prior to half time when Carroll was released down the left hand side to set up O’Hare. Fire’s Brock Messenger produced blocked the initial effort, however the deflection fell kindly back into the path of O'Hare to toe poke past the Hall from seven yards.

Heat doubled their lead soon after the restart when Smith found space in between Fire’s lines. He opened his account by beating Fire defender Wade Zammit before firing a shot in off the cross bar.

Smith put on a master class of football in the remainder of the half, striking his second of the game in the 52^nd minute when Carroll cut back a pass from the byline to find Smith unmarked on six yards for a simple finish.

Fire fought back into the contest with twenty minutes remaining, when Nakamura ruthlessly finished into the bottom left hand corner from 16 yards.

With the wind at their backs and renewed enthusiasm Fire threw everything at Heat’s goal. Another terrific save by Valcicak and a miss from Delahunty in the 82^nd minute prevented Fire from further reducing the margin.

In the 90^th minute Smith once again to showed his class in front of goal, delicately placing the ball into the far corner of Hall’s left hand goal to complete his hat-trick and seal the result.

Heat return to the south-east corner next week when they face Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park.

Fire will look to regroup with a much-needed bye and hope to see influential injured Captain Arnison and defender Kosuge back to fitness for the visit of reigning champions Olympic FC the following weekend.

Sunshine Coast Fire (Futa NAKAMURA 70’)
FNQ FC Heat (Crios O’HARE 44’, Alex SMITH 47’ 52’ 90’)