BY MARC WEEKSY
REDLANDS United’s Under-8 Reds capped off a stellar weekend of football by taking out the inaugural Moreton City Cup.
The young Redlands squad powered through the competition, winning all three of their group matches – edging out Brisbane City White 3-2, cruising past North Lakes United 4-0, and keeping a clean sheet against the hosts Moreton City Excelsior in a 2-0 win.
They carried that form into the knockout stage, defeating Grange Thistle Black 5-2 in the quarter-final and then overcoming Grange Thistle Orange 5-3 in a high-scoring semi-final.
In a hotly contested final against the highly rated Brisbane City Azzurri, the Redlands rose to the occasion.
In a physical and tactical showdown, they held their nerve and sealed a 4-2 victory to lift the trophy.
The entire squad delivered outstanding performances across the tournament.
Goalkeeper Mathias impressed with several spectacular saves, proving to be a reliable last line of defence.
Defenders Eoin and Toby were rock-solid at the back, breaking down opposition attacks with calm composure.
Toby also chipped in with a goal.
Midfield dynamo Oliver was relentless, covering every inch of the pitch with energy, crunching tackles, and sharp passing – and was especially influential in the final.
Ari grew in confidence throughout the tournament, scoring a well-taken goal in the quarter-final and delivering a strong performance in the final.
Lennox thrilled with his brave and skilful runs, showing flair in attack and resilience in defence, narrowly missing out on the scoresheet.
Jack played with discipline and vision, creating several opportunities through clever assists and keeping play moving with smart passes.
Lenny emerged as the tournament’s standout striker, scoring 14 goals, including a classy brace in the final, showcasing clinical finishing and composure beyond his years.
The team impressed not just with their skill but with their spirit – playing with teamwork, encouragement and sportsmanship throughout the day.
Their efforts were a proud reflection of Redlands United and Redland City, displaying pride, passion and respect.
Moreton City Excelsior were also praised for hosting a well-run event.
