Saturday night’s Round 1 NPL Men’s fixture ended with the points shared after a hard fought, thrilling 2-2 encounter. Redlands United travelled to Underwood Park at Rochedale for their 1st Round encounter of the 2024 NPL Men’s competition against their old rivals Rochedale Rovers.
Straight from the 1st whistle the home side came out fast and furious, applied the pressure and didn’t give the Red Devils any time on the ball. For the 1st 5 to 6 minutes Redlands simply weren’t allowed to get the ball out of their own half. The Red Devils held firm in defense and managed to work their way into the game. On 8 minutes Guil Santana fired in a shot from distance that didn’t worry the Rochedale Keeper.
It was Redlands who opened the scoring on the 11 minute mark, when Redlands Captain Sam Langley won the ball off a defender 18 meters out from goal and passed to Peter Klaassen who calmly fired past the keeper to give the Red Devils the lead.
The goal spurred Rochedale on. They continued to push hard, but the Red Devils scrambling defense held firm with Will Smith in goal kept busy. Redlands looked to go forward at every opportunity and created further scoring opportunities but were denied.
Right on the cusp of half time Rochedale equalized when the ball was chipped into the Redlands goal area, the Rochedale striker controlled the ball, pivoted and slotted it in the net giving Smith in goal no chance. At the half time break the score was locked at 1-1.
As the 2nd half started Rochedale came out strong trying to press home an advantage. The next 20 minutes saw it all happen. Redlands defense maintained their form and with keeper Smith marshalling his troops, Redlands were able to repel Rovers attacking forays.
On 61 minutes Rochedale took the lead scoring from a corner. The inclusion of Ryo Emoto and Oohyun Park for Redlands during the 2nd half provided more attacking impetus for the Red Devils.
On 91 minutes Emoto chipped the ball over for Klaassen to run past his defender and hammer the ball home, for his 2nd and the equalizer for the Red Devils. The remaining 6 minutes of extra time were just as hard fought and frantic and the previous 90, but at full time the score-line was locked together at 2-2.
Redlands United Head Coach Griff Mansfield was satisfied with his team’s performance and had this to say post game “It was good to get a point away from home, especially after coming from behind. It’s a result that we can build on over the coming weeks”.
Next weekend Redlands have their 1st home game of the 2024 season on Friday night when they host Olympic FC. Kick Off is at 8.30pm with the Under 23’s at 6.30pm. This should be a blockbuster of a game. Get your red on and be there to cheer and support your Red Devils.
Redlands United:
20. Will Smith, 3. Max Ellenger, 4. James Piercy, 6. Sam Langley, 7. Guil Santana, 8. James Bonomi, 9. Peter Klaassen, 11. Josh Tufino, 12. Noah Hitchcock, 13. Angus Broderick, 22. Michael Lee, Reserves: 1. Kurt Huppert, 10. Ryo Emoto, 14. Lee-Navu Faunt, 18. Oohyun Park,
19. Dylan Mobbs, 21. Benji Cameron
