Gold Coast Stave Off Redlands
Words: Josh Davies
Additional Reporting: Thibault Berthier
Image: SPORTSPICS
A three-goal first-half has seen competition leaders Gold Coast City narrowly defeat a resolute Redlands United outfit 3-2 at Mallawa Complex on Saturday night.
Golden Boot leader Sam Smith opened the proceedings for City with a well-taken header to notch his 18th goal of the season.
City extended the leading margin in quick succession, Jarrod Kyle pounced on a parried Ben Lyvidikos shot at the back post to double the advantage, quickly followed by a Roman Hofmann curling strike that rounded off an opening thirty minutes dominated by City.
Redlands talisman Graham Fyfe toiled hard all match in the middle of the park for the Red Devils and was rewarded in added time of the first half, his free-kick clawing a goal back for his side before heading into the break.
Despite the brilliant performances of Nikola Mirkovic and Kyle, City failed to add to their goal tally in the second-half and a late header from Redlands substitute Stuart Edgar set up a tense finale for City who held on to claim all three points.
Gold Coast have now extended their gap at the top of the ladder to five points over chasers Brisbane Strikers and Brisbane Olympic, both sides yet to play in Round 17.
City will host Northern Fury in Round 18 whilst Redlands face Moreton Bay United on home turf to kick off the round next Friday night.
Key Moments
8’ - GOAL FOR GOLD COAST – Sam Smith rises above the pack and heads home the opener for City.
20’ - GOAL FOR GOLD COAST –Jarrod Kyle finishes at the back-post after a James Edgar parried save of Ben Lyvidikos’ initial effort.
23’ - CHANCE FOR GOLD COAST – Kyle squares to Lyvidikos who has a strike and is only denied by the woodwork.
26’ - GOAL FOR GOLD COAST – Nikola Mirkovic plays in Roman Hofmann who curls his effort past Edgar from the top of the box.
45’ - GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Graham Fyfe’s free-kick evades everyone and ends up in the back of the net.
88’ - GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Stuart Edgar powers home a header to narrow the deficit.
Match Details
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland – Round 17
Saturday, July 8
Mallawa Complex (Duncan McKenna Field)
Gold Coast City FC 3 (Sam SMITH 8’, Jarrod KYLE 20’, Roman HOFMANN 26’)
Redlands United FC 2 (Graham FYFE 45’, Stuart EDGAR 88’)
Referee: Matt GILLETT
Assistant Referee: Dion BRADLEY
Assistant Referee: Jake BEITH
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