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

Redlands United put paid to a two-match losing streak, scoring twice in the second half to see-off Olympic FC 2-1 at Cleveland Showgrounds.

An own goal off the head of experienced Olympic defender Matt Mundy ultimately settled the contest in the host’s favour after a Abel Fesseha penalty cancelled out Michael Lee’s opener.

The win returns Redlands to the top four with five further fixtures still come in the round, but was soured by a late injury to captain Igor Sao Jose.

For Olympic the result marks a third straight defeat and, with a just one win from the opening five outings, continues their worst ever start to a PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues season.

Key Moments

12’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee is released by an early ball and cuts back to Nicolas Bechar but the shot is just over the crossbar

32’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Daniel Byrne turns on a dime at the top of the box but Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White denies his shot with a diving save

43’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Nicholas Bechar finds himself one-on-one with Olympic goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney and the young shot-stopper comes up trumps after coming off his line to shut him down

51’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee through on goal from a through ball and curls a composed finished past the oncoming Nicholas Mooney to open accounts

59’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Brendan White rushes out to close down Lachlan Munn but collects more man than ball to concede a penalty. Abel Fesseha makes no mistake with the ensuing spot-kick.

67’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – The hosts almost go back in front but Daniel Byrne is on the goal line and quashes the danger with a spectacular over-head clearance

70’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Nicolas Bechar pulls the trigger from distance but his effort brings no reward as Nicholas Mooney makes a diving save

71’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Russell Woodruffe whips in a corner and Olympic’s Matt Mundy attempts to head clear but the ball finds its way into his own net

75’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Nicholas Mooney leaves his line for a clearance but gets it wrong and Igor Sao Jose looks to take advantage from 40 yards, however his effort goes just wide of the target

76’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Michael Lee cuts back for substitute Stephen Green, who evades the initial challenge from Nicholas Mooney before seeing his shot deflect over the crossbar

What They Said

“The defeats show more about us some times more than the wins do. It was a tough game in Toowoomba (in the last round) and our response tonight against a very good team was good. It wasn’t an ugly win, it was a tough win, and I thought we were quite a tough team in the second half.” – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

“Today was a very good game for us. I know we lost but it could’ve gone either way. They had a couple of chances and we had a couple of chances but we have eight players that are only 18 or 19 years old. The decision making in the final third might have let us down a little bit but that’s what we’re here for – to coach them and help them become better players.“ – Jim Bellas, Olympic FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 5
Friday, April 1
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

Redlands United FC 2 defeat Olympic FC 1

Redlands United FC

Goals – Michael LEE 51’, own goal 71’
Yellow cards – Michael MCGOWAN 25’, Brendan WHITE 60’, Paul O’BRIEN 72’, Nicholas BECHAR 87’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Brendan WHITE, 3. Grant BRIX, 5. Paul O’BRIEN, 7. Michael LEE, 8. Russell WOODRUFFE (9. Stephen GREEN 79’), 10. Nicolas BECHAR, 11. Graham FYFE, 12. Adam CHANDLER, 14. Nicholas DANICIC, 16. Igor SAO JOSE (6. Gregory WARDEN 77’), 18. Michael MCGOWAN

Unused – 15. Doyle BISSETT, 17. Samuel LANGLEY, 20. Matthew LUGO

Olympic FC

Goals – Abel FESSEHA 60’p
Yellow cards – Scott BOW 75’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Nicholas MOONEY, 2. Liam O’BRYAN, 3. Mark FISK (16. Joshua JOKIC 60’), 5. Scott BOW, 6. Matt MUNDY, 9. Lachlan MUNN, 10. Daniel BYRNE, 12. Ryan RODERICK (17. Youeil SHOL 79’), 13. Brad SCOTT, 18. Matthew GORDON (7. Logan GRILLO 87’), 19. Abel FESSEHA

Unused – 20. Dakota SPRANGE

Match Officials – Casey REIBELT (referee), Joey LEE (assistant), James MAINEY (assistant), Carl HARPER (fourth)