Fire Hold Out Determined Thunder
Words: Jay Stewart
Image: Emily Wilson/Sunshine Coast Fire
A single goal was enough for Sunshine Coast Fire to defeat last-placed South West Queensland Thunder 1-0 at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
Futa Nakamura’s first half strike proved decisive for the hosts, delivering the Fire supporters a positive end to the campaign in their final home match of the season.
Thunder created a number of chances throughout the match, the first coming on three minutes when Ryan Ensor sent his free-kick over the crossbar.
Fire responded with their first opportunity on 10 minutes when Paul Arnison forced Thunder goalkeeper Jace Hudson to save from a free-kick.
Nakamura lost his footing ten minutes later after rounding two defender to be clear on goal before Ensor spurned a pair of chances for the visitors – shooting wide of the target with the first prior to forcing a save from Fire goalkeeper Antony Hall.
Hudson remained busy in the Thunder goal, saving from Nakamura’s 21st minute header before Jordan Miller’s 25 yard strike took a deflection to force another save.
Nakamura made the breakthrough on the half hour – toe poking home from six yards courtesy of Miller’s low cross.
His fellow Japanese import, Chiharu Kosuge, ended his season on a sour note minutes later after breaking his elbow after falling awkwardly in an aerial challenge.
In the second half, Fire continued to apply the pressure to Thunder but a second goal proved elusive – with Jayke Cushcieri failing to find the target with a pair of chances after 50 minutes.
Reyze Kelly and 17-year-old Jacob Fulluck also saw shots saved in the tight contest, while Jesse Gordon curled his shot wide of goal with eleven minutes remaining for Thunder.
The visitors created several half-chances in the final ten minutes, however were unable to make the breakthrough.
The result means Thunder are still searching for their first points of the season, with their final match of the regular season on Thursday against Redlands United.
Fire will see out their campaign against Brisbane City on Tuesday night in the Queensland capital with the winner destined to finish the season in seventh place.
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 (Futa NAKAMURA 30’)
SWQ Thunder 0
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