Words: Terry Parle, Redlands United
Image: Ray Gardner, Redlands United

Redlands United's hopes of reaching this year’s FFA Cup are over after falling 3-1 to Wolves FC at Cleveland Showgrounds on Tuesday night in the Football Queensland Cup.

Goals from Trent Clulow, Sasa Radulovic and Peter Gaffney guided the Wynnum-based Wolves to the win, while Russell Woodruffe netted the only goal for Redlands United.

Wolves dominated the opening phases of the match before Clulow struck on seven minutes after receving a cutback from Kado Aoci at the top of the box, his shot benefitting from a wicked deflection off Nic Danicic to give the visitors the lead.

Redlands winger Nico Bechar came into the contest on ten minutes, but his run from his own half was halted by Wolves defender Matt Lyell in his own penalty area.

Radulovic tested Ralph with a fine dipping strike from outside but the big keeper was equal to it  and tipped the ball to safety over the bar after 18 minutes

On 23 minutes, Redlands attacker Rhys Meredith beat the Wolves offside trap but failed to beat the onrushing Wolves goalkeeper Lucas Zicher.

Shortly after, solid build up from Redlands led to Graham Fyfe picking out Woodruffe with a pinpoint cross, however the striker’s header was directed straight at Zicher.

On the half hour, Chris Knowles dispossessed Woodruffe on the edge of the Redland’s penalty area. Ralph was quick off his line, however Knowles calmly squared the ball to Radulovic, who converted into an empty net to double Wolves’ lead.

Spurred into action, Bechar and midfielder Gregg Warden both fashioned attempts on goal for the hosts, before Bechar picked out Woodruffe just prior to the half to pull a goal back.

After the restart, Bechar was again in the action as he burst past a pair of Wolves defenders only to see his strike bounce back off the post.

The game settled into a pattern of the hosts trying to break down a resolute Wolves defence, and while the visitors played on the counter - Ralph keeping Redlands in the game when he made a sharp save from Aoci.

It produced a tense finish before Wolves sealed the result in stoppage time as Redlands sought an equaliser – Gaffney slotting his shot past Ralph one-on-one to secure passage to the next round.

Redlands will return to focusing on their National Premier Leagues Queensland campaign this Saturday night when they face defending champions Olympic FC at Goodwin Park.