Words: Michael Flynn

 

Redlands United and Western Pride both lead early before succumbing to opposition fight backs as they concluded their BLK Silver Boot campaigns with defeats on Wednesday night.

 

Hawks Comeback Hits Redlands For Six

LIONS STADIUM, BRISBANE | Redlands United sacrificed an early two goal lead to become the third PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues scalp for Holland Park Hawks this pre-season – falling 6-3 to the Brisbane Premier League club.

The result ends Redlands United’s BLK Silver Boot campaign and ensures Holland Park will meet Brisbane Strikers in the Semi-Final stage as Group B winners.

Kicking off in heavy rain, Redlands stormed to a two goal advantage inside ten minutes after Graham Fyfe tucked home at near post from a Nico Bechar pass and Igor Sao Jose converted from near the penalty spot to reward a considered series of passes in the build-up.

However, Hawks sensationally captured the lead on the back of three goals in just seven minutes midway through the half.

A pair of corners saw Hawks level terms - Jeff Woodward commencing the fightback by turning in a second-phase ball prior to Marek Madle scored the first of his brace with a header – before Andrew Macaskill put his team ahead for the first time by converting from cross.

Parity was again quickly restored when Fyfe delivered a swerving free-kick into the top corner prior to the half hour.

However, Hawks once more recaptured the lead before the break when Dan Smith also converted from a free-kick – his pin-point shot clipping the underside off the crossbar.

Fyfe was denied a hat-trick by the post approaching the hour before Madle doubled Hawk’s advantage with his second headed finish of the contest shortly after.

Substitute Ashley Shore all but wrapped up the result with a quarter hour remaining as he headed in at the near post to give Hawks the biggest lead of the match.

Redlands spurned a chance at a final consolation when Shoheel Khan directed a late penalty kick wide of the target.

Redlands United FC  3 (Graham FYFE 6’ 29’, Igor SAO JOSE 7’,
Holland Park Hawks FC  6 (Jeff WOODWARD 19’, Marek MADLE 23’63’, Andrew MACASKILL 26’, Dan SMITH 39’, Ashley SHORE 75’)

Pride Leave Silver Boot Empty Handed

LIONS STADIUM, BRISBANE | Western Pride conceded twice in the second half to close out a winless BLK Silver Campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Rochedale Rovers.

Pride took the lead inside the opening half-hour of the contest via a firmly struck penalty from Gabriel Hawash – awarded after Corey Lucas was impeded inside the area by the Rovers defence.

Mitchell Bird had a chance to double the advantage before the break, however was denied one-on-one by Rovers goalkeeper Harry McDonald.

Shortly after the restart Rovers turned the contest on its head - striking twice in two minutes before the hour to take the lead.

Former Hyundai A-League player Michael Baird levelled terms after being left unmarked to tuck home a header back across the box before a cruel deflection left Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short little hope of a save.

Pride’s hapless tournament was exemplified as they went in search of the equaliser only to see a penalty appeal denied - referee John Vasiliadis erring on the side of caution to award a free-kick after Jesse Rigby was fouled on the very edge of the penalty area.

The Ipswich-based club continue their pre-season preparations in a friendly against North Pine SC this Saturday at Bob Brock Park in Moreton Bay.

Western Pride FC  1 (Gabriel HAWASH 25’p)
Rochedale Rovers FC  2 (Michael BAIRD 54’ , own goal 55’)