Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Ray Gardner/Redlands United FC

Western Pride fought from a goal down to return to the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland top three on Saturday night, defeating Redlands United 2-1 at Briggs Road Complex.

Chris Scott and Lincoln Rule both struck in the second half for Pride to deliver the Red Devils their third straight defeat of the campaign.

Searching for the first win of 2015, Redlands made an impressive start when Jayden Prasad opened accounts after barely eight minutes, delivering composed finish into the bottom corner.

Prasad saw a further chance just after the quarter hour but failed to find the target after running on to a lobbed through ball.

Pride also saw their share of chances in the first half - Harrison Sawyer shooting across the face of goal before turning provider shortly after for Joe Duckworth, who forced a telling save from Brendan White.

The hosts continued to knock at the door as Scott struck his shot into the woodwork just prior to the half hour.

After seeing off the pressure, Redlands spurned the chance to double the lead prior to the break when Elliot Ronto couldn’t find the target following a stellar run down the left wing.

The visitors missed a pair of further chances after the restart as Mitchell Bird shot wide of the target twice in the space of five minutes.

The Red Devils would ultimately pay for their misses just after the hour as they conceded two goals in as many minutes.

Scott created space on the edge of the area before delivering a well-placed finish into the top corner to level terms, before Rule converted from the penalty spot a minute later to give the hosts the lead.

White kept Redlands in the contest with a pair of telling saves as Pride looked to settle the contest - including a sharp effort to deny a strike from Jay Kitching.

But the visitors failed to steal a point in the final stages as Graham Fyfe sent his free-kick over the crossbar and new signing George Komano also failed to find the target in time added on.

Speaking post-match, Pride coach Karl Dodd identified his side’s concentration as the key to the performance after their last start 12-0 defeat at the hands of Brisbane Roar Youth prior to Easter.

“They’re starting to understand how we play and what I’m after. For some of them it’s a new concept, but they’re grasping it and they know it when you speak to them - it’s just a place of putting it into place for 90 minutes,” Dodd explained.

Redlands midfielder Igor Sao Jose explained that despite the winless start to the season he is confident his team have what it takes to get their campaign firing.

“I do reckon we’re progressing and we’re getting better every week and eventually that win is going to come. That is going to be our turning point for the season,” he said.

Listen to the full post-match interview below.

Western Pride FC  2 (Chris SCOTT 65’, Lincoln RULE 67’)
Redlands United FC  1 (Jayden PRASAD 8’)