FNQ Bulls opened their Queensland State League soccer account in memorable fashion, stamping out reigning champions Sunshine Coast Fire at Mareeba on Saturday night.

The Fire only lost one match last season on its way to the title and with its squad bulked up even further for its 2009 campaign, the visitors were expected to grab their third victory of the season at Borzi Park.

Instead, the Bulls served notice to the rest of the competition there is a new kid in town. And while that kid is still getting to know its strength, the result, played out in front of Perth Glory midfielder and Mareeba product Wayne Srhoj, will provide a welcome dose of self-belief to the Bulls.

The home side wasted little time stamping itself on the match, striking in the seventh minute when Steven Cater drilled a shot into the net after his first attempt had been stopped by Fire goalkeeper Antony Hall.

The advantage was short-lived with Sunshine Coast dangerman Shaun Blackman hitting back in the 10th minute but the Bulls went to the break with a 2-1 lead after Joe Rusch baffled Fire defenders with a dance around the ball before slotting past Hall.

With the Bulls’ tiring defence growing more ragged as the game progressed, the Fire’s forwards repeatedly surged into gaps and would have gained the equaliser if not for several excellent saves from FNQ keeper Daniel Wilesmith. Instead, it was Cater who struck again in the 67th minute, scoring just seconds after a Wilesmith save, the quick turnaround visibly lifting the Bulls.

Sunshine Coast scored a consolation goal when Daniel Kirkup headed home a corner unopposed deep into injury time but play barely had time to restart before the fulltime whistle confirmed the Bulls’ first win of the season.

Bulls coach Peter Tokisi was delighted to get the first win on the board but warned improvements still needed to be made. "When we knocked the ball around, we looked good," he said. "But when fatigue set in and we panicked a bit but that is understandable, it was a big game."

Tokisi praised Andre Lohman’s effort to stifle the Fire’s potent attack and said it was no coincidence that the Bulls defensive intensity weakened after Lohman’s departure with concussion early in the second half.

Skipper Victor Madrid worked hard in defence as did midfielder Blake Cremer.

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