REDLANDS United have secured their first home win of the 2026 FQPL season, overcoming southside rivals Holland Park Hawks FC 3-2 in a pulsating Friday night clash at Amcal Arena.
In a match packed with drama, momentum swings and late heroics, all three Redlands goalscorers celebrated their first goals for the club in a memorable result for the Red Devils.
The hosts had a golden chance to stamp their authority on the contest just two minutes in when they were awarded a penalty for handball.
However, Hawks goalkeeper Jake Watson-Roddy produced an early highlight, denying Jayden Balarezo from the spot.
That miss proved costly moments later.
Against the run of play, Holland Park captain Connor McAuley rose at the back post from a corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Despite dominating possession and territory for much of the opening half, Redlands were unable to break through, heading into the break trailing.
The second half began with renewed intensity from the home side, and it paid off in the 56th minute, when Hugh Jack finished off a well-worked attacking move to bring Redlands level.
But the response was short-lived.
Just five minutes later, a loose pass in midfield allowed the Hawks to counter, with McAuley again punishing the hosts to restore the visitors’ advantage.
However, Redlands refused to fade.
Sustained pressure eventually told in the 79th minute when substitute Alex Melvin-Tong found the equaliser, setting up a grandstand finish as the Red Devils pushed for all three points.
The Hawks nearly stole it themselves on the counter, but young goalkeeper Oli Thiganoff came up with a crucial save to keep Redlands in the contest.
Then, with just two minutes remaining in normal time, the breakthrough arrived.
Ryuga Fukuda beat his defender and surged clear before calmly slotting home the winner, sparking celebrations among the home crowd.
Redlands held firm through a tense period of stoppage time, repelling late pressure from the Hawks to seal a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
Defender Angus Broderick, playing his 100th game for the club, was named Redlands United Sea Fuel Man of the Match after a commanding performance at the back.
After the game, Redlands head coach Graham Fyfe praised his side’s resilience and the impact of his substitutes.
Fyfe said his side had prepared for what Holland Park would bring, particularly their attacking threats and strength from set pieces.
“To be honest, we knew what Holland Park were going to do. They’ve got two very good players at this level up front, and they were always going to be dangerous on set plays,” he said.
He felt an early breakthrough could have changed the tone of the match.
“I thought we started well and if we’d scored the penalty early on, the game might have been a bit easier for us. Not easy but could have gone our way a bit earlier,” he said.
Fyfe credited the Hawks goalkeeper for a key moment in the game.
“Their keeper made a great save from the penalty,” he said.
“That sort of dampened us a bit, even though we had lots of the ball.”
He said he was frustrated to trail at the break, particularly given his expectations of the group.
“As expected, they did look dangerous on set plays, and I was disappointed to go in at the break 1-0 down and I shouted a bit at half-time,” he said.
“Just because I know the quality some of these boys have got and they just weren’t showing it.”
Fyfe said the response after the interval was much improved, with his side dominating going forward, although still carrying some vulnerability due to players returning from injury.
“To be fair, in the second half, I thought we dominated the whole half attack wise,” he said.
“Maybe a little bit vulnerable, but we had a couple of defenders that were still trying to get match fit after injuries.”
He admitted the game’s momentum swings reflected the nature of football, particularly after Redlands levelled before conceding again.
“When we went 1-1, I thought there was only going to be one winner and then they scored but that’s football,” he said.
Fyfe was particularly pleased with the contribution of his substitutes, describing them as game changers.
“The character the lads then showed through and the game changers that came on, I thought were excellent this week,” he said.
“It’s probably the first time, even since pre-season, that the boys that have come on during the game have made a massive difference and it was good to see.”
He reserved special praise for match-winner Ryuga Fukuda, highlighting his work ethic and persistence.
“I kept Ryuga on because I know he’s got goals in him,” Fyfe said.
“I was so happy for him when he scored because he gives everything every training session, every game and to grab the winner was brilliant.”
Redlands United will look to build on the momentum when they return to Amcal Arena next Saturday (March 28), hosting North Star, with Under 23s kicking off at 3.45pm ahead of the senior clash at 6pm.
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