Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United FC

Moreton Bay United maintained their hold on top spot on Saturday night after seeing off Redlands United 2-0 at Wolter Park.

Royce Brownlie opened the scoring for Jets just before the hour before substitute Jordan Farina sealed the win in time added on.

The result returns Jets to winning ways after a last start loss to Olympic FC, while it ends a four match unbeaten run in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland for the Red Devils.

The teams cancelled each other out for large portions of the first half, with Jets only able to send a raft of half-chances high and wide of the target inside the opening half-hour.

Jets best opportunity came in the final ten minutes of the half via Charles Mendy, who burned past a pair of Red Devils defenders only to fail to find the target as he sought to apply the finish.

Redlands also created a pair of late opportunities before the break - Graham Fyfe sending a shot wide of the target before Lyndon Dykes called upon Luke Borean to tip a close range attempt around the post.

The teams found greater rhythm in the second stanza as Igor Sao Jose sent an early chance across the face for Redlands and Jackson Hall called upon Brendan White to save in the Redlands goal.

The breakthrough for Jets came just before the hour as Brownlie turned in Hall’s cross from close range - extending the veteran striker’s season tally to eight goals.

The target continued to prove elusive for both sides from open play as Redlands missed a gilt-edged opportunity when Russell Woodruffe skied his finish from inside ten yards.

Jets then spurned an even better chance to double their advantage when Mendy clipped the crossbar from the penalty spot after Green was felled in box on the burst.

The hosts continued to threaten until the final minute when Farina finally deliverd the finish touch with a slotted strike after being teed-up by fellow substitute Joseph Champness.

Speaking post-match, Jets coach Adam Piddick praised the full team defensive effort that saw Jets record only their second clean-sheet in the league this year.

“If we keep defending like that, keep being organised, being compact when we don’t have the ball and creating stuff when we do have the ball, then we will be very hard to beat,” he said.

Redlands player-coach Graham Fyfe lamented his side’s inability to take their chances throughout the match but emphasised they remained in the fight throughout.

“We’ve had games this season where we have deserved to lose and this game I would’ve thought a draw was fair,” he said.

Moreton Bay United FC  2 (Royce BROWNLIE 58’, Jordan FARINA 90+3’)
Redlands United FC  0