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

Redlands United recorded their third straight win on Sunday afternoon, defeating Brisbane Roar NYL 3-0 at a cold and blustery Cleveland Showgrounds.

Graham Fyfe opened the scoring in the first half with a trademark free kick, before further goals in the second half from Greg Warden and Jamie Saul sealed the result.

A cagey opening to the match saw both teams regularly turn over possession before Redlands goalkeeper Andrew Ralph denied Sam Cronin’s shot on seven minutes.

Fyfe struck the opening goal six minutes later, the free-kick specialist dipping his strike over the Roar wall and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Chances proved sparse as the two evenly matched sides cancelled each other out – with the next chance of any merit coming in the final stages of the opening stanza.

Fyfe played in Michael Lee with a ball over the top of the pressing defence, however Roar custodian Denver Crickmore did enough to beat away Lee’s attempt on goal.

The visitors pressed hard as they sought to get on to the scoreboard after the restart, but the dismissal of Cameron Crestani for a last man tackle on Michael Lee – released by a clever throughball by Nico Bechar – effectively put paid to hopes of a comeback.

A man down, Roar lost their shape and Redlands proceeded to dominate both play and possession for the remainder of the match.

A corner from Fyfe on the hour found Cameron Draper unmarked on the far post, the defender heading back across goal allowing Warden to nod in and double the host's advantage.

The points were secured two minutes later when Fyfe and Draper again combined down the right flank. Draper’s cross wasn’t dealt with by the Roar defence, allowing Saul to seal the result with the host’s third goal.

Crickmore remained busy in the Roar goal and prevented the score from blowing out further, however benefitted as the post denied Bechar with fifteen minutes remaining.

The game petered out with few chances in the final moments as the home side consolidated its win and re-established their reputation as finals series contenders by moving in to fifth place.

Meanwhile, Roar drop to seventh amid a congested NPL Queensland mid-table.

Redlands United 3 (Graham FYFE 13’, Greg WARDEN 60’, Jamei SAUL 62’)
Brisbane Roar NYL 0