REDLANDS United Head Coach Graham Fyfe says a lapse in concentration and costly momentum swings proved decisive as his side’s dominant first half gave way to a frustrating defeat on the weekend.
The Red Devils were in control at 2-0 and “cruising” at Caboolture Sports FC before conceding just before half-time and again shortly after the restart — a period Fyfe believes changed the course of the match.
“Look, again, the boys were brilliant first half and 2-0 up, and to be honest, mate, we were — you don’t like to say the word cruising — but there was only one winner,” Fyfe said.
“They were doing so well, and then the set-piece corner on the last second of the first half gave them a bit of a lifeline, a wind in the sail.”
Fyfe pointed to defensive lapses at key moments, particularly from set pieces, as a major concern.
“We didn’t defend. I looked at it back and we just, like, boys not standing in the right spot that we worked on, which is very frustrating,” he said.
“So it’s just a concentration, maybe a bit of a naivety thing, I don’t know.”
The game shifted further early in the second half when Redlands conceded an equaliser from long range — a goal Fyfe described as an unfortunate moment for his young goalkeeper.
“It’s 2-all from a goal that, like, Ollie would save it 99 out of 100 times. Just one of those moments, but he’s just a young lad, he’s been brilliant,” he said.
Redlands’ task became significantly harder following a red card to Jayden Balarezo, with Fyfe questioning the consistency of officiating after a similar earlier incident went unpunished.
“It happened exactly to our striker — like a little stamp down on the foot… and the referee wasn’t even going to give a free kick,” he said.
“Then for the same thing, we get a guy sent off.
“I think that’s what’s frustrating me — just the inconsistency. It’s been unbelievable.”
Despite being reduced to 10 men, and later nine following a second red card for dissent, Fyfe praised his players’ effort in continuing to push for a result.
“To be fair with the boys, 10 men, they still created great chances, they worked their asses off,” he said.
“Even when it was nine men… yeah, frustrating.”
Redlands pushed forward late in the match in search of an equaliser, with Fyfe revealing a key penalty decision was missed in the dying stages.
“In the last five minutes, we make a chance back post — Mike has a shot at goal, the guy’s flying, and had to hit him with his hand and he doesn’t give a penalty, and I’m like, what the heck?” he said.
The coach said he had no complaints about his side’s effort, noting even the opposition coaching staff acknowledged Redlands were unlucky.
“Their coaches… came up after the game and said we were very lucky there,” Fyfe said.
“He said at times it did feel like 12 versus 11 and then 12 versus 10. I went, I know, mate — but it is what it is.”
There was a bright spot for the Red Devils with young defender Sehaj Grewal impressing on debut.
“He came in and he was man of the match, to be honest. He was excellent, mate,” Fyfe said.
Looking ahead, Fyfe said defensive organisation — particularly at set pieces — would be a focus.
“It’s not height… it’s discipline and aggression,” he said.
“You need to be aggressive, you need to start in the spots that we’ve been working on… it’s something I’m going to address.”
Redlands will have a bye this weekend before returning to action at home against Brisbane Strikers, with Fyfe hopeful the break will allow injured players to recover.
“We’ve got a bye weekend, which will help us get some injuries back… fingers crossed,” he said.
