Rovers Edge Red Devils
Words: Michael Flynn
Redlands United conceded a goal at the death to incur a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Rochedale Rovers in the BLK Silver Boot on Wednesday night.
Scott Sargent delivered the match winner in the closing stages of the contest after the teams were locked a goal apiece at the half – Redland’s Michael Lee cancelling out Lewis Cameron’s opener for Rovers.
The result means Redlands need to win their final group stage match to have any hope of advancing from their group in the pre-season tournament.
Redlands started the contest brightly as Graham Fyfe and Nico Bechar both forced saves from Rovers goalkeeper Harry McDonald.
However, despite earlier misses, Rovers were first to find the back of the net shortly after the half hour when Cameron converted from close range after a solid build-up.
Redlands continued to fashion chances and drew level ten minutes later when Lee delivered a composed finish after being teed up by a sharp pass from Bechar.
Further heroics from McDonald prevented Redlands from taking the lead before the break – the Rovers custodian making a full-stretched save to keep out a Fyfe free-kick from the edge of the box.
McDonald again proved up to task after the restart to deny Shoheel Khan on the angle, before Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White also delivered a pair of telling saves to maintain parity.
Redlands skipper Igor Sao Jose spurned a chance to put his side in front for the first time when he failed to find the target from close range in the final quarter hour.
The miss proved telling in the final minutes as Rovers struck on the counter attack to dramatically steal the points – Sargent finishing on the slide at the back post.
Redlands continue their pre-season preparations against Sunshine Coast outfit Woombye FC on Saturday, before returning to action in the BLK Silver Boot next Wednesday night against Holland Park Hawks.
BLK Silver Boot 2016 – Group B
Wednesday, January 27
Lions Stadium, Brisbane
Rochedale Rovers FC 2 (Lewis CAMERON 30’, Scott SARGENT 88’)
Redlands United FC 1 (Michael LEE 41’)
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