Words: Callum Dick
Images: Ray Gardner

Redlands United remain in the hunt for a finals berth following a comfortable 2-1 victory over Northern Fury FC at Cleveland Showgrounds.

After their much lauded ‘cupset’ over Adelaide United midweek, all eyes were on the home side to see if there would be any hangover from their historic win.

The hosts took the lead only two minutes into the contest when Stephen Green pounced from a throw-in, before Kai Halliday’s header doubled the advantage shortly after the quarter hour.

Fury found late consolation via George Dalton’s maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues goal, however the hosts saw out the contest on to wrap up a their maiden home win over Fury in four attempts.

The result sees Redlands move ahead of Olympic in the race for a fourth place finish, with the Brisbane-based club due to play on Sunday.

For Fury, the result extends their winless campaign to twentieth straight match and they are now unable to avoid the wooden spoon.

Key Moments

2’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Stephen Green boosts the hosts to an early advantage, striking unopposed from inside the box after being given too much space by the Fury defence

12’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Adam Chandler’s cutback is misjudged by the Fury defence, allowing Green a half-chance but the striker pokes his shot wide

17’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Michael McGowan nods on Paul O’Brien’s corner to the back post, where Igor Sao Jose narrowly heads wide of the mark.

18’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Kai Halliday manages to do what Sao Jose couldn’t only a minute later, when a second consecutive corner finds the defender at post to head in from close range.

29’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – A one-two between Green and Michael Lee nearly pays dividends, but Green’s touch is too heavy and allows Fury goalkeeper Ryan Murphy time to cover

64’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Lee has an acre of space down the right, but misdirects his volley high over the crossbar

77’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – The Redlands midfield links up sharply to set-up Graham Fyfe with a sight on goal but his shot ricochets off the inside of the post and across the face of goal

86’ – GOAL FOR FURY – After a call for handball goes begging up the field, Redlands are stung on the counter when Hamish Cassady’s cutback finds George Dalton in the six yard box to tap past Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White

88’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Fyfe rockets a shot from 20 yards that dips too late and deflects out off the crossbar

What They Said

“I thought we had the game sewn up early on, and then just saw the game out. We had some really tired legs toward the end and obviously conceded, (but) the important thing was that we got the three points today.” – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

“I felt that we gave Redlands too much space in the first half, they controlled the game for the first 30 minutes and really dominated possession. I let (the players) know in no uncertain terms that the goals we conceded were schoolboy errors, but the second half was much better. I felt that for long periods we caused them some trouble, and we deserved to get that goal.” - Ian Ferguson, Northern Fury FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 20

Saturday, August 6
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Redlands United FC – 2 (Stephen GREEN 2’, Kai HALLIDAY 18’)
Northern Fury FC – 1 (George DALTON 85')

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2azjtUX

Match Officials – Matt SKINNER (referee), Mitch MILLER (assistant), Tom CULLANE (assistant), Adrian KRASNOFF (fourth)