Jets Keep Pressure On Leaders
Words: Nick Crockford, Moreton Bay United
Image: Alberto Omar Pereira Pérez
Two goals from NPL Queensland golden boot leader Royce Brownlie fired Moreton Bay United to a 3-0 victory over Redlands United at Wolter Park on Saturday night.
Charles Mendy was also on target as the Jets ended Redlands’ run of three successive victories – and kept just their second clean sheet of the season.
The hard-fought win also opened up a five-point gap between the sides and moved second-placed Jets to within six-points of leaders Palm Beach.
Brownlie broke the deadlock after a quiet start, notable only for Jets’ keeper Luke Borean saving at the feet of Redlands’ Russell Woodruffe.
In the 23rd minute, Corey Hooper whipped in a long, deep cross from the Jets’ right for Brownlie to head back across Redlands’ keeper Andrew Ralph and inside the post.
Mendy then headed straight at Ralph and Redlands’ Nicko Bechar back-heeled a corner, from Graham Fyfe, into the arms of Borean before Jets’ doubled their lead.
On 36 minutes Brownlie broke away, Mendy made his run and drilled home a pinpoint pass from 12 yards inside the near post.
As Jets took control, Mendy’s delicate chipped landed on top of the Redlands goal and Ralph produced a flying save to tip Brownlie’s shot over the bar.
The visitors rallied just before the break and within a minute Borean had saved from Woodruffe and palmed away a 20-yard shot from Fyfe.
After a quiet start to the second half, another long cross, this time from Ryota Nakaooka in the 60th minute, was headed home by Brownlie for his 25th goal of the campaign.
Redlands’ best chance fell to Jayden Prasade in the 71st minute, but the substitute dragged his shot wide from 10 yards.
Bechar and Jamie Saul both shot at Borean before Jordan Farina cleared off the Jets’ goal-line in the final minute as Redlands pressed for a consolation.
MoretonBay United 3 (Royce BROWNLIE 23’ 61’, Charles MENDY 36’)
Redlands United 0
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