Words: Michael Flynn

Redlands United are celebrating their first PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland win of 2015 after overrunning Brisbane City 5-1 at Cleveland Showgrounds on Friday night.

Elliott Ronto netted a goal in each half for the hosts, with attacking midfield trio Graham Fyfe, Igor Sao Jose and Nico Bechar also chiming in to consign the hapless City to a sixth straight defeat in all competitions.

The teams proved timid in the early stages before Redlands spurned their first chance when Lyndon Dykes sent a shot over the crossbar just before the quarter hour.

City saw their first opportunity shortly after when Antonio Murray forced a fumbled save from Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White.

Redlands soon wrested the advantage in the centre third and ultimately found the breakthrough just before the half hour when Fyfe delivered a well-placed shot from 18 yards that left City goalkeeper Matt Stein flat-footed.

Ronto then doubled the margin two minutes later after delivering a strong finish from inside the area.

Murray nearly pulled a goal back for City prior to the break - striking the crossbar before White turned the ball behind in the resulting scramble.

However, hopes of a second half fightback for City were put to rest only minutes after the restart when Sao Jose sealed the points after turning in the finish from Dyke’s assist.

Chris Toovey scooped a shot over the cross-bar shortly after before the hosts delivered another quick-fire double to establish a five-goal buffer.

Bechar added the fourth with a matter-of-fact tap-in just before the hour - his first goal for the club in 2015.

Ronto then iced the win and secured his brace with a stunning goal five minutes later - shaking a defender before curling home a pin-point finish.

With the result settled, both teams only created half chances for the remainder of the match.

However, there was late consolation for City when Murray converted from the penalty spot in the final ten minutes.

The win is Redlands second straight following a 2-0 upset of Olympic FC in the Westfield FFA Cup last week.

Brace hero Ronto said his side was gathering momentum and spirits were high ahead of next week’s away trip to Cairns.

“It’s a great feeling. Two from two is unbelievable and we’re just starting to get some momentum now and looking forward to the next game,” he said.

City coach Darron Heselden remained pragmatic about the result, continuing to focus on the performance since he took over the side during the Easter break.

“The side was never going to turn in three or four weeks and we’ve made really good improvements in big areas of how we go about playing,” he stated.

Redlands United FC  5 (Graham FYFE 30’, Elliott RONTO 31’ 63’, Igor SAO JOSE 48', Nico BECHAR 58’)
Brisbane City FC  1 (Antonio MURRAY 84’p)