Roar Defeat Redlands In Friendly
Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Brisbane Roar/Sport-In-Digital
Brisbane Roar continued the fine-tuning ahead of their Westfield FFA Cup debut by defeating Redlands United 3-0 at Ballymore Stadium on Tuesday night.
The A-League champions notched a second straight pre-season victory over NPL Queensland opposition thanks to goals from Jean Carlos Solorzano and Dimitri Petratos.
Head Coach Mike Mulvey gave opportunities to several players in the absence of Hyundai A-League All Stars trio Matt Smith, Jade North and Thomas Broich, meaning defender James Donachie wore the captain’s armband.
Redlands proved they would be tough to break down in the opening 20 minutes as neither Petratos nor Jai Ingham could convert early chances.
Steven Lustica drew a one-handed save from Andrew Ralph midway through the first half while at other end new signing Daniel Bowles was needed to snuff out Nico Bechar’s attacking raid.
Jean Carlos Solorzano did manage to break the deadlock in the 39th minute though by burying a finish into the bottom corner from inside the penalty area, aided by a slight deflection.
The striker’s goal meant Roar led 1-0 at the break and the advantage might have doubled shortly after the restart had Ralph not been alert to Petratos’ close-range snapshot.
Bowles and Lustica were next to try their luck, while Solorzano spurned a good chance to double his tally.
The Costa Rican didn’t have to wait long for redemption as in the 69th minute he made it 2-0, using his poacher’s instinct to deflect home a Reuben Way volley.
The scoring was completed 15 minutes from full time when Petratos grabbed a well-deserved goal, reacting quickest to turn in a loose ball after Lincoln Rule’s powerful drive struck the post.
Petratos did go close on more occasion in the 83rd minute but Redlands’ substitute gloveman Brad Stout did well to push the attacker’s free kick onto the post and away.
The 3-0 scoreline means the reigning double winners are two from two leading into the trip west to meet Stirling Lions in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday, 19 August.
Redlands’ next assignment is a journey north to Townsville to visit Northern Fury in Round 23 of NPL Queensland.
Brisbane Roar 3 (Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 39’ 69’, Dimitri PETRATOS 74’)
Redlands United 0
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