Words: Michael Flynn
Image: FNQ FC Heat

Redlands United have bolstered their attacking stocks with the capture of Alistair Davis from competition rivals Brisbane Strikers.

The 21-year-old, who joined Strikers from Wolves FC during the off-season, links up with Redlands for the remainder of the year after struggling to break into the starting eleven at Perry Park this season.

The hulking striker will add attacking impetus for the Red Devils in the crucial ‘number 9’ role – with his goal-scoring pedigree proven after claiming the 2015 Golden Boot award in the third-tier Flight Centre Premier League competition.

Redlands coach Matt Chandler believes Davis is the missing ingredient to a team that is being touted as a Premiership contender and sitting second on the table.

“We’ve been doing well to date in the league but we have been missing the opportunity to play with a ‘nine’ and him then bringing on our other players around him,” Chandler explained.

“Alistair gives us that option and I believe he needs to be playing regular football so hopefully we can give him that opportunity.”

Davis, who originally hails from Proserpine, scored his maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues goal against SWQ Thunder as a substitute earlier this year for Strikers.

However, with his switch to Redlands looming, Davis was not part of Strikers opening Westfield FFA Cup fixture last week – meaning he is free to take the field for the Red Devils as they seek their first appearance in the national Round of 32.

“Alistair being able to play for us in the FFA Cup is very important and vital. We’re very much a squad team but his physicality and presence will give us a huge advantage,” Chandler said.

“Teams in the cup, like Pine Rivers in the last round, play in a very different way to NPL teams. So to have Alistair in both the league and the cup is a big asset to our club.”

Davis will be kept on his toes by teenage understudy Tyler Brayley-Combe, who has scored twice off the bench in recent weeks for Redlands.

Chandler said he sees plenty of benefit of having the two players in his attacking arsenal on match day.

“Tyler can come on and make a huge difference for ten or fifteen minutes. He has been an excellent breakthrough for us this year but unfortunately he doesn’t have the experience to play ninety minutes week-in-week-out at this moment,” he concluded.

Redlands host Brisbane City this Friday night at Cleveland Showgrounds in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues, before the sides meet again next week in the Westfield FFA Cup Preliminary Round 6.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 10

Friday, May 13
Redlands United FC v Brisbane City FC
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City
Kick-off at 7:00PM

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Preliminary Round 6

Tuesday, May 17
Brisbane City FC v Redlands United FC
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:00PM