A WET and rainy Saturday afternoon set the scene for a fiercely contested Round 5 clash at Amcal Arena, as Redlands United and Brisbane Strikers locked horns once again in a gripping FQPL showdown.
The competition leaders came out firing from the opening whistle, pressing Redlands high and hard for the first 10 minutes.
But the Red Devils weathered the early storm – both literal and tactical – and held firm.
Momentum began to shift when Deegan Brook surged down the left flank, beating his marker despite the slick surface.
His tight-angle strike was pushed around the post by the Strikers keeper in what would become a turning point in the game.
From that moment, Redlands began to dominate territory, with close to 85 per cent of the play unfolding in the Strikers’ half.
Just before the half-hour mark, Michael Lee tried his luck from 22 metres out, narrowly missing the upright as the home side threatened to break the deadlock.
Both sides created chances in the heavy conditions, but defences remained resolute, and the teams went into the sheds locked at 0-0.
The second half opened with even heavier rain, but the Red Devils remained undeterred.
Centre backs Noah Hitchcock and Max Ellenger were pivotal at the back, with Ellenger soon making his mark at the other end.
From a pinpoint Eamon Ross corner, Ellenger rose highest in the box and buried his header to give the home side a deserved 1-0 lead.
However, the Strikers struck back just 11 minutes later, capitalising on a set piece to level the scores at 1-1 with 24 minutes to play.
The final stages were filled with drama.
As the clock ticked into added time, the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors for handball in the area.
But in a stunning sequence, the spot-kick cannoned off the crossbar and the rebound chaos saw two shots blocked before Joel D’Cruz pulled off a brilliant low save to deny a third attempt.
With the danger cleared, Redlands quickly surged forward. Brook was brought down, and in the ensuing passage of play, the ball eventually fell back to him. His deflected shot rolled into the path of Ellenger, whose snap effort flew agonisingly wide of the post.
The full-time whistle followed shortly after, confirming a hard-earned 1-1 draw that had everything but a winner.
After the match, Redlands Head Coach Garrett McDuling praised his side’s resolve.
“After a few challenges recently both on and off the field, we knew the players would absolutely be up for the clash against Brisbane Strikers,” McDuling said.
“We have already played them no fewer than three times this year, winning once and after having an early red card most recently away at Perry Park, we were eager to see what a full-strength Reds team could do to the league leaders.
“After Strikers missed their late penalty and we had one more chance at the death, no team was able to capitalise, and I think a 1-1 draw was a fair result for both teams.
“This point to the league leaders, similar to that recently against Rochedale, reinforces to our players we can match the best in the league.”
Redlands now turn their attention to next Sunday’s home fixture against Ipswich FC, where the club will also celebrate Michael Lee’s 200th game for the Red Devils.
