Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Simon Smale
Images: Ray Gardner

A resilient Brisbane City have announced themselves as genuine finals contenders with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Redlands United at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Redlands dominated the chances throughout the match but ultimately it was a stunning performance from City goalkeeper and captain Timothy Allen that proved decisive as he made a raft of crucial saves to frustrate the hosts.

Nathan Bird’s third goal of the campaign approaching the final quarter hour claimed the points for City after Motoki Kakehi levelled terms prior to half-time to cancel out new Redlands recruit Alistair Davis' first-half opener.

The win is City’s third in a four match league unbeaten run and first ever against Redlands at Cleveland Showgrounds.

The result ends an six match unbeaten run for Redlands in all competitions but the bayside club will hold on to second place regardless of the round’s other results.

The sides meet again on Tuesday in the Westfield FFA Cup at Corporate Travel Management Stadium in Brisbane.

Key Moments

7’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Nicholas Buckley fires in a low drive from 25 yards that is saved well one handed to his right by Matthew Lugo

16’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS - Stephen Green flies through on goal and fires a low shot to Allen’s right from inside penalty area, drawing a solid two handed save

25’ - GOAL FOR REDLANDS - Green crosses to debutant Alistair Davis inside the penalty area and despite not making clean contact, the shot does enough to trickle in at the far post of the goal

30’ - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Graham Fyfe flicks a dummy to Davis inside the area, whose shot forces Allen to tip the ball around the post

31’ - CHANCE REDLANDS - Paul O’Brien shoots low across goal from inside the right hand side of the penalty area but the ball skims just beyond the far post

44’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Antonio Murray plays a one-two with Luke Pavlou on the edge of the box, but his low shot is tipped around the post by Lugo

45’ - GOAL FOR CITY - Samuel Sibatuara’s corner is met at the near post by Motoki Kakehi for his second goal of the season

45+1’ – CHANCE FOR CITY - Buckley shoots low from 25 yards out but despite beating Lugo clips the outside of the left post

60’ - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS - Davis hits Allen’s right hand post from 25 yards out with an innocuous looking shot, then seconds later tests Allen to the left with a sizzling drive from the same position to force a save

73’ - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Nicolas Bechar played in one on one with Allen, and shoots hard to the ‘keepers left, but he is denied by a fantastic reflex save

74’ - GOAL FOR CITY - Sibatuara’s corner from the right to the far post, headed back across goal by Mathew Biggins towards Nathan Bird who heads home the finish to put City ahead

83’ - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Fyfe wins possession in a dangerous position and curls a well-placed shot towards the top corner from distance but again Allen comes to City’s rescue with an acrobatic, fingertip save

90+4’ - CHANCE FOR REDLANDS - Allen makes remarkable double save from two Gregory Warden shots from inside the penalty area, the first with his feet, the second a diving effort to his left

What They Said

“We’re disappointed that we conceded two goals from set-pieces and that’s unlike us. But in open play I think we created a number of chances and probably enough to win the game. But City did well - they came and got a result – and we’re looking forward now to Tuesday night.“ – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

“Second half they threw everything they could at us and we battled. They put us under pressure and we survived. There was a lot of desperation there and sometimes you need that. It wasn’t what I’d call an ugly win but it was a battle to be won and we won it. You need to be resilient to survive at this level.“ – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 10

Friday, May 13
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Redlands United FC – 1 (Alistair DAVIS 25’)
Brisbane City FC – 2 (Motoki KAKEHI 45’, Nathan BIRD 74’)

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials - Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Renae COGHILL (assistant), Joey LEE (assistant), Max CRANE (fourth)