Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Callum Dick
Images: Ray Gardner

Brisbane Strikers have moved to within one point of the league leaders after holding out Redlands United 1-0 at Cleveland Showgrounds.

Fraser Hills struck the decisive blow in the first-half of the contest – converting a cutback from Hiroki Omori inside half an hour for his seventh goal of the season.

Despite featuring two of the competition’s most attack-minded sides, the contest was hampered by wet and windy conditions that limited scoring opportunities.

The win moves Strikers four points clear in second place and just one point behind league leaders FNQ Heat, while Redlands retain their hold on fifth despite a third straight defeat.

Key Moments

7’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Trent Clulow cuts inside of Michael McGowan to test Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White with a skidding attempt, but the shot is easily held

25’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Fraser Hills turns home Hiroki Omori’s cutback from eight yards to open accounts for the visitors

29’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Rhys Meredith finds the side netting after being played into space down the left by Shaun Carlos

34’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Igor Sao Jose shrugs off multiple defenders before sending a left-footed strike at Strikers goalkeeper Michael Weier, who dives toward his right post to clear

45’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Fyfe sends a free kick over the crossbar from distance to close-out the first half

60’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Rhys Meredith sends a skimming shot low at the legs of White, who scrambles across to take under pressure.

69’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Off balance and under pressure from McGowan, Meredith sends a left-footed strike over the crossbar from 18 yards

72’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Jake McLean is unmarked in the six yard box when his header bounces wide of the right-hand goalpost

81’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Hills’s low ball into the box is nearly deflected back past White into the goal, but the Redlands custodian manages to body the ball and cover.

89’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Fyfe dances in the box before shooting on the angle, but Weier anticipates the shot and comes across to block.

What They Said

“I thought the game was very even – the defining moment obviously being when they scored the goal. We had a couple of chances and a few penalty shouts, and, I thought particularly in the second-half, we played well. I don’t think there was too much of a difference between the sides after the first 15 minutes.” - Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

“It’s always difficult to come here with the quality of players that Redlands United have, so to come away with three points is extremely satisfying. I think the wet weather helped us a fair bit in terms of our ability to combine and move the ball quickly; it brought that bit of zip (to the ball) and all of a sudden you can get players like Fraser (Hills) and Jake (Mclean) and Hiroki (Omori) into the game.” - Kevin A’herne-Evans, Brisbane Strikers FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 13 (rescheduled)

Saturday, July 16
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Redlands United FC – 0
Brisbane Strikers FC – 1 (Fraser HILLS 25’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29WbDoA

Match Officials – Trent SLEEMAN (referee), Joey LEE (assistant), James SHERRY (assistant), Daniel OLSON (fourth)