Redlands United made the trip over to Albany Creek on Sunday afternoon for the Round 3 Kappa Pro Series game against Moreton Bay Excelsior (FQPL1).
After a couple of days of inclement weather, bright sunny skies greeted the teams as they took to the field.
Straight from the kick off both sides were intent on playing attacking football.
With 9 minutes gone, Redlands had their 1st chance of the game when new signing Josh Tufino’s shot from the corner of the goal box beat the keeper and whizzed just past the far post.
Redlands continued to apply the pressure to the City goal, creating chance after chance only to be denied by some fine saves and dogged last ditch defense. Eventually the pressure applied by the Red Devils got the desired result, when with 23 minutes gone, Guil Santana finished off some fine one touch build up play by the Red Devils to take the lead.
Redlands almost doubled their lead a few moments later, when Peter Klaassen was put through one on one with the keeper, only for his shot to be tipped around the post.
Moreton City were trying to attack the Redlands goal at every opportunity but the Red Devils defense defused all attempts until the 39th minute when some casual defending allowed City to equalize.
Redlands continued to create opportunities to regain the lead but were unable to get the ball into the net, and as the referee signaled for half time the sides were locked at one goal apiece.
After the break City came out more determined to get a result and took the game to the Red Devils.
Redlands Goalkeeper, Will Smith, was called into action on a number of occasions as City pushed on and applied pressure, but the Red Devils defense stayed firm.
At the other end chances were still being created but frustratingly the ball would not find its way into the net.
On 63 minutes Klaassen produced a great solo goal to restore the Red Devils lead. Redlands had played the ball out of defense with Klaassen receiving the ball just over the half way line out on the right wing. He stood up his defender and took off towards goal outpaced the defense and beat the keeper for a great solo effort.
Redlands continued to press on looking for a third, but it was not to be, the Red Devils had taken the win with the scoreboard showing Moreton City Excelsior 1 Redlands United 2.
After the game, Redlands United Head Coach Griff Mansfield was happy with the win and commented, “Good to get a win and some momentum ahead of the start of the NPL Men’s season. Our focus now shifts to Rochedale next Saturday”.
Next Saturday Redlands start the 2024 NPL Men’s competition away, over to Underwood Park at Rochedale where we take on our old rivals, Rochedale Rovers in Round 1. Kick Off is at 6.15pm with the Under 23’s at 4pm. As always with clashes between these two clubs, this should be a blockbuster of a game. Get your Red on and get over to Rochedale and be there to cheer on our Red Devils.
Redlands United:
3. Max Ellenger, 4. James Piercy, 7. Guil Santana, 8. James Bonomi, 9. Peter Klaassen,
10. Ryo Emoto, 11. Josh Tufino, 13. Angus Broderick, 18. Oohyun Park, 20. Will Smith,
22. Michael Lee. Reserves: 5. Kenny Wilkinson 14. Lee-Navu Faunt, 16. Eamonn Ross,
17. Mason Cross, 19. Dylan Mobbs, 21. Nick Terry
