Words: Callum Dick
Images: Ray Gardner

Michael Lee’s second-half brace propelled Redlands United to a 4-2 victory over Gold Coast City in a topsy-turvy affair at Cleveland Showgrounds on Friday night.

Returning from a neck injury, Lee proved he could do it both on the ground and in the air by lobbing Gold Coast ‘keeper Shane Viitakangas for a second-half equaliser before then rising in the penalty area to head the hosts in front.

Redlands earlier grabbed the opener through Alistair Davis, but Nikola Mirkovic and Jarrod Kyle put the visitors ahead with goals either side of halftime.

Following Lee’s heroics, Michael McGowan struck with five minutes remaining to consign City to just a second loss of the season.

The result moves Redlands back into second position and only one point behind leaders FNQ Heat, who host Olympic FC on Saturday afternoon.

Key Moments

4’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Nicolas Bechar tees up Michael Lee, whose sighter drifts wide-left of Shane Viitakangas in the Gold Coast City goal.

14’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Bechar dribbles through multiple defenders, committing Viitikangas before cutting inside for Alistair Davis to finish into an open net.

32’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Riley Dillon finds himself with space on 20 yards, but pulls the trigger too early and blazes wide.

34’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Nikola Mirkovic is too strong for Grant Brix, shoving past the defender before firing low to beat a diving Matt Lugo and level the score.

42’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Mirkovic’s cross has too much pace for Rhys Saunders, with the winger’s diving attempt spraying across goal.

52’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Kyle pounces on a deflected ball inside the penalty area for the go-ahead goal to the visitors.

59’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee spots Viitakangas well off his line, lobbing the Gold Coast ‘keeper from long range to level things once more.

66’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Lugo pulls a save from the top drawer to deny Kyle a second goal.

76’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Lee bags his brace, turning home Bechar’s cross with a perfectly placed header at the near-post.

84’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Graham Fyfe connects with Bechar’s cross, however his strike only finds a Gold Coast defender on the line.

85’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Michael McGowan tees off from just inside the area to seal the result for the home side.

What They Said

“Obviously going 2-1 down at home is not something you want. We needed to get back into the game so we changed the shape, playing two up-front and (also changing to) a midfield diamond helped nullify their midfield. We didn’t want to play for a draw – we wanted to win, and I think the boys showed a lot of resilience.” – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach.

“We didn’t really want halftime (to come) because we were extremely dominant, and then after we went 2-1 up I thought we were going to get another. But some really comical errors at the back led to the second equaliser and the game changed after that.” – Grae Piddick, Gold Coast City FC coach.

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 12

Friday, 27 May
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Redlands United FC – 4 (Alistair DAVIS 14’ Michael LEE 59' 76' Michael McGOWAN 85')
Gold Coast City FC – 2 (Nikola MIRKOVIC 34' Jarrod KYLE 52')

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials - Nathan MacDonald (referee), Zijad Ahmetovic (assistant), Mohammad Alipour (assistant), Daniel Olson (fourth)