Redlands Keep Marching On
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder FC
Redlands United strengthened their hold on fourth place with a 6-0 win over SWQ Thunder at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday.
Lydon Dykes delivered a brace from open play while Graham Fyfe also struck twice from the penalty spot with further goals to Kai Halliday and Elliot Ronto rounding out the result for the Red Devils
The win is Redlands fifth straight as they continue the club continues its hunt for a first PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Finals Series berth, while also consigning Thunder to a 15th straight defeat.
Thunder started promisingly as Jedd Sugden headed wide of the target inside the opening minutes.
The visitors saw the better of the opportunities from there on with Dykes, Fyfe and Nico Bechar all creating chances inside the opening quarter hour.
Dykes opened the scoring just prior to the half-hour with a strong finish from close range that rebounded in off the near post.
Thunder all-time leading goalscorer was heavily involved in a pair of chances that forced saves from Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White either side of the half-hour - teeing up Mitchell Tansky before also finding the target himself.
However, Redlands defender Halliday doubled the advantage prior to the break - pouncing on a rebound for his first ever PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland goal in his 25th league appearance.
Any hopes of a Thunder fightback were dispelled as the visitors struck twice more within 15 minutes of the restart to wrap up the points.
Ronto delivered his seventh goal of the season when Thunder failed to clear a corner before Graham Fyfe delivered his first from the penalty spot just prior to the hour.
Thunder diffused several more attacking raids before Dykes and Fyfe completed their doubles in the final ten minutes - Dykes finishing from a clever chipped ball from Fyfe before the player-coach rounded out the result from the penalty spot.
The clean sheet was Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White’s third of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season.
Speaking post-match, Redlands Technical Director Matt Chandler lauded his side’s continuing improvement that has seen them win eight of their past ten league matches.
“I felt we had a complete performance - a little slow at the start but once we started to get into our rhythm then we were quite comfortable,” Chandler said.
Thunder coach Chris Wilkes lamented his side’s lack of experience and said the score didn’t reflect the contest.
“With a bunch of young guys they do some really good things and then some things that make you want to rip your hair out,” Wilkes said.
SWQ Thunder FC 0
Redlands United FC 6 (Lyndon DYKES 25’ 79’, Kai HALLIDAY 39’, Elliot RONTO 54’, Graham FYFE 58’p 85’p)
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