Redlands United and Brisbane Strikers prevailed in two decidedly end-to-end contests at Spencer Park on Saturday in the first double-header of the National Premier Leagues season.

In the first feature match, Redlands defeated FNQ FC Heat 2-0 courtesy of second half goals to Zak Brattan and Graham Fyfe.

In the late kick-off, Brisbane Strikers conceded two early goals and were reduced to ten men in the second half before securing an improbable 5-3 win over hosts Brisbane City.

Redlands and FNQ FC exchanged counter-punches throughout the first half but a series of inspired saves from goalkeepers Mitch O’Brien and Mikel Breckinridge ensured the contest remained scoreless at the break.

Tactical tweaks in the second half saw Redlands fashion a series of shots before Brattan opened the scoring with a commanding header from the edge of the six-yard box - the ball initially crossed to the far post from the right by Fyfe, before Ramone Close nodded the ball back across goal where Brattan rose strongly to turn the ball home powerfully.

Fyfe and Close combined again for the second with ten minutes remaining, a neat pass-and-move seeing Fyfe get behind the line where he cunningly toe-poked the ball past the advancing Breckinridge.

Heat repeatedly found themselves in promising positions throughout the match– the Murphy brothers, Tom and Matthew, combining on several occasions to open Redlands down the right flank – however a scarcity of options in the box saw Redlands confidently clear their lines and hold on for the first points of their NPL campaign.

In the second game, City sought to make amends for last week’s blow-out against Olympic, shell-shocking the unsuspecting Strikers by taking a 2-0 lead after only ten minutes.

Antonio Murray required only 8 minutes to open his goal tally in his first appearance this season, the one-time Chelsea youth player turning sharply to fashion space before deftly curling his shot in at the back post.

Two minutes later, Martin Riggs lived up to his Lethal Weapon moniker, bulleting home a strong header from former Roar Youth player Ken Dougall’s pin-point cross to the clear delight of the home crowd.

Strikers weren’t without their chances, however it took a piece of individual brilliance from left-winger Greg King to alter the course of the half when he cut inside to strike a stinging 25 yard drive that caught City keeper Matthew Stein unawares at the far post.

Josh Taylor put a scare through the Strikers camp when he was felled in a heavy-but-fair collision with Stein just prior half time. The youngster was stretchered from the field and taken to hospital as a precautionary measure but was released later that evening after being cleared of concussion and neck injury.

Motivated by their teammate’s misfortune, Strikers approached the second half with renewed urgency – levelling less than a minute after the restart when Ryan Cokell pounced on a loose ball in the box after Stein effected a scrappy intervention on a looming Josh McVey.

Jonti Richter was the architect of Strikers third, replicating his run to the byline from last round before squaring the ball to the far post; captain Nick Robinson emphatically slotting his shot to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

The balance of the match altered again when Corey Hooper was dismissed after bringing down Eric Frazier in the box following a protracted 20 metre shoulder to shoulder tussle.

Adjudged to have been the last defender, Hooper was issued a straight red card; Frazier subsequently converted his own penalty to level scores with 15 minutes to play.

With the momentum swinging to City, Strikers then produced a stunning turnaround - defying their numerical disadvantage and City’s parochial home support to claim the points.

First, veteran midfielder Chay Hews delivered from 30 yards with a firmly struck shot that once again caught out Stein – the ‘keeper backpeddling in vain as the ball nestled in the top corner of the netting.

Seemingly dispirited, City’s defence offered little resistance in the final minute as Matt Thurtell strolled by two defenders before last year’s QSL golden boot slotted his first goal of the NPL season from 10 yards.

City will play their first away game of the season next week when they travel to Cairns to face FNQ FC Heat on Saturday.

On the same day, Brisbane Strikers will host Olympic FC in the second match of a Perry Park double-header that also features Queensland Academy of Sport and Palm Beach Sharks in the early kick-off.

Redlands United will play their first fixture at Cleveland Showgrounds when they host CQFC Energy next Sunday.

 

Redlands United FC 2 (Zak BRATTAN 67’, Graham FYFE 82’)
FNQ FC Heat 0
Saturday, 17th March 2013 @ Spencer Park, 5:00pm

Brisbane City FC 3 (Antonio MURRAY 8’, Martin RIGGS 10’, Eric FRAZIER 75’)
Brisbane Strikers FC 5 (Greg KING 20’, Ryan COKELL 46’, Nick ROBINSON 57’, Chay HEWS 79’, Matt THURTELL 90+2’)
Saturday, 17th March 2013 @ Spencer Park, 7:30pm
Crowd: approx. 600 (combined)

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland) / Image: Ray Gardner (Redlands United)