After 2 weeks of no games Redlands United were back in action in the NPL Men’s competition. Friday
evening they played host to Eastern Suburbs FC at Compass Grounds in Round 16 of the NPL Men’s
competition and a goal in each half were enough to take the competition points in a tough encounter.
Redlands were reduced to 10 men early in the 2nd half, which totally changed the momentum of the
game.
The 1st half was all Redlands as they controlled the game with Easts defending stoutly. The Red Devils
were on the scoreboard after 20 minutes when Jack Skinner intercepted the ball and ran across field
towards goal and unleashed his shot 20 meters out and found the corner of the net.
Easts did try and muster some attacking impetus but Redlands defense held firm and cut out the plays
before they developed into anything dangerous.
On 35 minutes Redlands new signing Fionn Reilly came close after beating a defender to a bouncing
ball and slotting the ball past an advancing keeper only to see it glance the outside of the post. A few
minutes later after some great work from Skinner out wide, James Bonomi’s angled shot from outside
the box had the keeper beaten but just slid past the far post.
As the teams went into the break Redlands led 1-0.
When the 2nd half commenced the game continued in the same manner, with the majority of play in
Easts’ territory and with the visitors defending stoutly and trying to catch Redlands on the counter
attack. After a couple of early chances were saved by Easts, Redlands had their 2nd on 56 minutes,
when after some great build up play and ball movement Dylan Brent sent in a cross from out wide and
found Peter Klaassen perfectly positioned to out leap his defender and easily head the ball home to
increase the lead to 2-0.
Then on 58 minutes the whole momentum of the game changed when defender Angus Broderick was
shown a 2nd yellow card whilst in attack in the Easts penalty area and was subsequently sent off.
A couple of shrewd tactical substitutions by Easts coach Matt Chandler saw Easts gain momentum as
they used their man advantage. Redlands continued to push forward and Ryo Emoto’s shot a few
minutes later, from the angle, struck the post. All the while Easts were growing more and more into
the game pushing harder and harder.
Emoto almost had his goal when he had the ball in the net after some good build up play, but it was
ruled out for a foul in the lead up. Easts had their goal on 82 minutes when a cross from out wide was
not defused by Redlands and Blake Grove headed the ball into the net. The goal gave Easts
momentum and they continued to push on trying for the equaliser.
As the game entered its final stages Easts increased their efforts but Redlands scrambling defense
maintained their form and with keeper Ryan Govan marshalling his troops, the Red Devils were able to
repel the attacking forays, however the game finished with Redlands picking up the win with a 2-1
result picking up valuable competition points.
Redlands’ Fiction Bar and Restaurant, Man of the Match was awarded to our livewire goal scorer Jack
Skinner.
After the game Redlands United Head Coach Daniel Varma commented, “I’m vvery pleased overall with
the victory against my old club Easts FC on Friday night. My boys knew they had to win to keep their
top four hopes alive.”
“I thought for 60mins we were dominant. I was particularly pleased with our two goals; one came from
our work in possession through the week and the other came from work we did when not in possession.
The attitude from my team at training and on match day has been excellent during our break and I am
pleased they were rewarded for this.“
“A moment of poor discipline at 60mins and missed chances made the last 30minutes of the match
more difficult than it needed to be but in the end 3 points is what was needed and what was achieved.
We must continue to learn from these crucial moments at this level of football. We look ahead to our
match against league leaders Gold Coast Knights away on Wednesday evening. I know how much my
players have been looking forward to this match and I can’t wait to see us in action! Our football, Our
way!” Varma said.
Wednesday evening Redlands are on the road down the Coast to Carrara, where we take on
competition leaders Gold Coast Knights in the re-scheduled NPL Men’s Round 15 clash, then with only
2 days rest, travel over to Albany Creek to take on another top 3 side in Moreton Bay United on
Saturday evening in Round 17.