Wednesday evening Redlands United played host to Eastern Suburbs in their rain delayed Round 4 Kappa Pro Series match.
Despite the absence of a number of regular 1st Team players from both sides, the Red Devils found their form to record a comfortable 4-0 victory.
Redlands opened the game smartly and in full attacking mode but Easts defended stoutly. Redlands suffered an early set back when defender Benji Cameron was forced off with injury after only 5 minutes.
Noah Hitchcock continued his goal scoring form when he opened the scoring for the Red Devils after 40 minutes following a goal mouth scramble from a corner. The goal gave the Red Devils the lead going into the sheds at half time.
After the break Redlands continued in the same attacking manner, not letting Easts settle on the ball. It only took 5 minutes after the break for the Red Devils to increase their lead, when Eamonn Ross pounced onto the Keeper’s parried save after Mason Cross’ stinging shot, to slot the ball home from a wide narrow angle.
A further 5 minutes later and Angus Broderick made it 3 for the Red Devils, when finishing off a fine passing move, he ran onto the ball out wide in the goal box and calmly slotted the ball into the net.
The crowd barely had time to sit back down after celebrating Broderick’s goal, when Mason Cross surged past 2 defenders and into the Easts goal box and was bundled over by the converging defence. The referee had no choice but to award a penalty. So just a mere 3 minutes after the last goal, Cross picked himself up, dusted himself off and calmly slotted home the penalty for Redlands 4th and final goal.
Redlands continued to press on. Kenny Wilkinson’s shot hit the post with the keeper beaten, James Piercy powerful header from a corner went straight at the keeper and debutant Cruz Lizaosaoin’s driven shot was tipped past the side post after a full length dive by the Easts keeper. No matter how they tried the Red Devils just could not add to the score and the score line finished up 4-0 in favour of the Red Devils
Lee-Navu Faunt and Eamonn Ross in midfield, Mason Cross and Cruz Lizaosaoin up front were prominent contributors throughout the game. It was great to see Daniel Faunt, Cruz Lizaosaoin, Chase Silich and Kurt Huppert step up from the Under 23’s and all receive some game time.
After the game, Redlands United Head Coach Griff Mansfield commented, “Another professional performance in a cup competition and a good bit of momentum for us to build on for the weekend”.
Redlands are back at Compass Grounds on Tuesday evening for their rain delayed NPL Men’s Round 6 fixture against Moreton City Excelsior at 8.30pm before Friday evening’s NPL Men’s Round 8 fixture against Wynnum Wolves with a 8.30 kick-off (Under 23’s at 6.30pm). As always with clashes between these clubs, these should be blockbuster games. You won’t want to miss these. Get your Red on and get down to Compass Grounds to cheer on our Red Devils.
Redlands United:
1. Joel D’Cruz, 2. Reece Bath, 4. James Piercy, 5. Kenny Wilkinson, 12. Noah Hitchcock,
14. Lee-Navu Faunt, 15. Daniel Faunt, 16. Eamonn Ross, 17. Mason Cross, 18. Cruz Lizaosaoin,
21. Benji Cameron. Reserves: 6. Sam Langley, 8. James Bonomi, 9. Chase Silich, 13. Angus Broderick, 20. Kurt Huppert
