Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Ray Gardner/Redlands United FC

A six-goal second half rampage has seen Redlands United overrun Ipswich Knights 6-0 on Thursday night at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Knights failed to convert from the penalty spot in the first half before succumbing to braces from Elliot Ronto and Graham Fyfe, while Lyndon Dykes also added to a Knights own goal in a blistering final forty-five minutes from the hosts.

The result sees the Red Devils advance to face fellow PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland club Brisbane Strikers in the final Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round. The winner of that match will advance to the national Round of 32.

Knights, who compete in the third-tier Trophy Superstore Premier Leauge, made a promising start to the contest when Lucas Wilson forced Red Devils goalkeeper Brendan White to tip a shot over the crossbar.

Redlands threatened from a pair of early free-kicks but then suffered a blow as defender Matt Lyell was forced from the ground on the quarter hour with injury.

The hosts increasing dominated possession, with Nico Bechar especially prominent on the left, but Knights saw the best chance of the half after Mitch Davis earned the visitors a penalty on the half hour.

However, White dived correctly to his right to save the ensuing spot-kick struck by Dale Robinson.

Late chances also failed to find the back of the net for both sides as Ronto forced a save from Knight’s goalkeeper Matthew Baker before Zac Graveson cleared off the line at the other end following a goal-mouth scramble.

The second half proved markedly different as the floodgates opened for the hosts almost immediately.

Dykes delivered the opener three minutes after the restart, calmly turning in a cross from Ronto after being found at the far post.

The hosts doubled their advantage less than ten minutes later admidst a goal-mouth scramble - Fyfe seeing his initial shot blocked before Ronto’s follow-up took a sharp deflection off Knights’ Devon Munn, who was credited with the own goal.

Ronto then effectively sealed the win on the hour, delivering a well-placed, curled strike from the just inside the 18-yard box.

Igor Sao Jose forced a save from Baker before winning a penalty against his former club only minutes later.

Fyfe converted from the penalty spot before adding the hosts’ fifth - and his second - from open play shortly after with a composed finish after being played in by Dykes’ lobbed pass.

Knights missed the chance to net a consolation in the final five minutes as Tiaga Ishkura sprayed his shot high and wide.

The win was ultimately iced by Ronto in the final minutes as he won-out in a one-on-one with Baker.

Redlands striker Dykes pointed to White’s first-half performance as crucial to the result despite the lop-sided scoreline.

“We were a bit lucky in the first half and we weren’t as switched on as we should’ve been. It was a really good save from Whitey in the penalty - he’s outstanding each week and we’re grateful for that,” he said.

Redlands United FC  6 (Lyndon DYKES 48’, own goal 55’, Elliott RONTO 60’ 90’, Graham FYFE 71’p 75’)
Ipswich Knights FC  0