REDLANDS United hosted SWQ Thunder in Round 13 of the FQPL1 competition at Amcal Arena in Cleveland.
The Red Devils knew the Toowoomba-based side would be seeking revenge for their first-round defeat – and that’s exactly the challenge they got in a tense contest.
After an even opening, Redlands began to find their rhythm, with Eamonn Ross breaking through the Thunder defence in the 19th minute, cutting the ball back to Deegan Brook whose close-range effort was blocked by desperate defending.
Minutes later, Brook made no mistake, dancing past several defenders to open the scoring with a moment of individual brilliance.
Redlands then looked in control and peppered the Thunder goal with shots, forcing multiple saves.
But in the 38th minute, a defensive lapse allowed Thunder to level the scores.
Despite further Redlands chances, the game went to half-time at 1-1.
The Red Devils came out firing in the second half.
Just three minutes in, Jason Park was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Brook stepped up but couldn’t convert, sending the penalty wide.
Momentum swung back and forth as both teams searched for the winning goal.
In the 75th minute, Redlands conceded a penalty of their own after a defensive error, and Thunder capitalised to take a 2-1 lead.
Refusing to give in, Redlands lifted their tempo and found the equaliser in the 82nd minute.
Michael Lee played a clever ball to Kealan Crawford, whose pace and composure saw him beat the Thunder defence before slotting home.
With just minutes left on the clock, the match looked destined for a draw — until Angus Broderick burst forward, cutting the ball across the face of goal to Mack Roach, who coolly finished to make it 3-2 in the 88th minute.
Redlands held on under immense pressure to seal a vital win in front of their home fans.
After the match, Redlands Head Coach Garrett McDuling said: “It was another tough game at home against Thunder, as we’ve come to expect from this league.
“We weren’t at our best and had to come from behind for the second time this week, but this group again found a way to win.
“Mack Roach and Angus Broderick have been out with injury and illness for the last few weeks and showed how valuable they are when they linked together for the 88th minute winner.
“It’s another valuable three points as we look forward to two important games over the next week.
Capalaba away on Tuesday night and Broadbeach back at home on Sunday, will both be tough but will have a huge say on our league chances.”
