Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

Substitute Tyler Brayley-Combe struck a dramatic late winner as Redlands United edged out Western Pride 2-1 at Briggs Road Sports Complex.

Already ruing a number of missed opportunities, Pride seemed destined to settle for a frustrated draw after Mitchel Bird cancelled out Michael Lee’s opener early in the second half.

However, the hosts were left empty-handed when Brayley-Combe struck his maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues goal in only his second league appearance to snatch the points at the death.

Despite nursing a myriad of injuries to key players, the win is Redlands third in a row and sees them remain second in the table – four points behind leaders FNQ Heat.

For Pride, the result marks a second straight defeat and sees them remain ninth in the standings with just a single win from five home games this season.

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird cuts through defensive traffic before flicking on for Hayden McHenery but his shot is saved by Redlands goalkeeper Matthew Lugo

8’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Joseph Duckworth splits Redlands’ defences with a strong run but sends his shot wide of the target

26’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee delivers a rasping shot across goal forcing Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short to push the ball clear

38’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Tight passes from Pride leads to Joseph Duckworth pulling the trigger but his shot is stopped by a well-positioned Matthew Lugo

40’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee slots a shot across Duncan Short and into the corner of the goal to open accounts

45’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Hayden McHenery cushions a high pass down for the waiting Joseph Duckworth but his well-struck effort fades just wide of the post

53’ – GOAL FOR PRIDE – Joseph Duckworth slips a ball through to meet Mitchell Bird’s angled run and he places a composed finish into the bottom corner

60’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Jesse Rigby senses a chance after spotting Matthew Lugo out of position but the shot curls just over the top of the crossbar

62’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Nielen Brown curls in a dangerous free-kick which is met by the head of Joel Haack but the effort goes high

71’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee unleashes a mazy run from near on halfway before ultimately cutting into the box and pulling the trigger only to see the shot hit the crossbar

72’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Redlands fail to clear from Jordan Lambi’s cross and the ball falls for Mitchell Bird but he can’t find the target with the attempt

84’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Jordan Lambi is released in behind the Redlands defences but his one-on-one effort is directed straight at Matthew Lugo

90’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Pride are unable to clear in the penalty area and lose possession before Redlands quickly feed the ball to substitute Tyler Brayley-Combe, who converts the finish to snatch the points

What They Said

“I thought we were really inconsistent. First half I think we played their tempo. Second half we upped our tempo a little bit and started to get our reward but our challenge as a playing group is to make sure we put together a consistent ninety minutes.“ – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach

“(Goalkeeper) Matt Lugo has come in (to the starting side) and done very well. He made an excellent save in the first half and we scored maybe thirty seconds after. Football is about defining moments and that was one of them, as was young Tyler (Brayley-Combe) coming on and scoring the winning goal.“ – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 7

Saturday, April 16
Briggs Road Sports Complex, Ipswich

Redlands United FC 2 defeat Western Pride FC 1

Pride Goals – Mitchell BIRD 53’
Pride Yellow Cards – Alistair WALLIS 38’
Pride Red Cards – none

Pride Squad – 1. Duncan SHORT, 3. Joel HAACK, 4. Corey LUCAS, 5. Douglas BROWN, 6. Jesse RIGBY (16. Jordan LAMBI 69’), 7. Jacob MINETT, 8. Nielen BROWN, 9. Hayden MCHENERY (15. Adam ENDEAN 69’), 10. Joseph DUCKWORTH, 11. Mitchell BIRD, 12. Alistair WALLIS
Pride Unused – 13. Gabriel HAWASH, 14. Geoffrey MACINTYRE, 20. Dylan WILLIAMS

Redlands Goals – Michael LEE 40’, Tyler BRAYLEY-COMBE 90’
Redlands Yellow Cards – none
Redlands Red Cards – none

Redlands Squad – 3. Grant BRIX (16. Igor SAO JOSE 79’), 4. Kai HALLIDAY, 5. Paul O’BRIEN, 7. Michael LEE, 8. Russell WOODRUFFE (9. Tyler BRAYLEY-COMBE 88’), 10. Nicolas BECHAR, 11. Graham FYFE, 12. Adam CHANDLER, 14. Nicholas DANICIC, 18. Michael MCGOWAN, 20. Matthew LUGO
Redlands Unused – 1. Jonathon BURROWS, 6. Daniello ROMANO, 17. Samuel LANGLEY

Match Officials – Andrew LINDSAY (referee), Max CRANE (assistant), James MAINEY (assistant), Alex HOHN (fourth)