Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Simon Smale
Image: Ray Gardner

The race for the top four will come down to the wire after Brisbane City and Redlands United drew 2-2 at Corporate Travel Management Stadium.

In a see-sawing affair, Redlands took the lead midway through the first-half against the run of play via midfielder Graham Fyfe, before City found an instant reply via a own goal just minutes later.

Nathan Bird delivered the hosts the advantage immediately before the break, however, Fyfe opportunistically struck again midway through the second half to secure a share of the points.

Both sides were left to rue squandered chances to steal the win in the final minutes – with the misses likely to prove telling after next week’s final round of the regular season.

The result extends City’s unbeaten run to six straight matches, with the capital city club holding on to fourth place on goal difference over Redlands.

Both sides sit three points behind Gold Coast City - who can secure their place in the post-season with a draw on Sunday against Brisbane Roar Youth - and three points ahead of fellow finals aspirants Olympic FC.

Key Moments

2’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Mitchell Hore shoots through a crowded penalty area to force a diving save from Redlands goalkeeper Brendan White

12’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Samuel Sibatuara shoots from the edge of the area after linking well with Koh Satake, but White doesn’t have to move to diffuse the strike

28’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Jake Sherwood breaks against the run of play and crosses to the feet of Graham Fyfe at the back post, who controls before firing past City goalkeeper Timothy Allen

31' – GOAL FOR CITY – The hosts restore parity almost instantly after Hore’s strike from outside the penalty area takes a deflection off a defender to wrong-foot White

35’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Satake wins possession in the Redlands penalty area and tees up Sibatuara but his effort whistles over the crossbar

41’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Scot Coulson crosses low into Satake at close range but he scoops his shot over the crossbar

45’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Nathan Bird bursts onto a through ball and slots and pin-point angled finish to give the hosts the lead at the half

47’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Greg King turns over the ball to Sherwood, who storms into the penalty area but sees his shot denied by Allen at his near post

53’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Stephen Green is allowed a free header from a cross but he sends the effort well wide of the target

70’ – GOAL FOR REDLANDS – Fyfe pounces on a loose header from Kai Smith to bury a volleyed finish past Allen to again restore parity

87’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Smith sends in a low cross for Nathan Yoon at the near post but he is unable to turn the ball on target

88’ – CHANCE FOR REDLANDS – Green plays in Michael Lee but his powerful strike flashes across the face of goal

91’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Jason Park latches onto a through ball from Hore but his shot is blocked by the attentive defending of Sherwood

What They Said

“The football was great but the thing is we threw away two points. We conceded two really stupid goals. They both could’ve been defended better and shouldn’t have gone in. People have to start taking responsibility for what they do in situations like that because it hurts us. It’s happened too often this year. We should’ve been challenging the Strikers for the title looking at the points we’ve thrown away by conceding dumb goals.“ – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

“I would’ve preferred three points but the way we played in the first half I’m glad we got something out of the game at all. It was probably the worst half of football we have played in a long time. City were very good. In the second half we changed a few things, put a bit of pressure on them, and could’ve snuck a win. But a draw was probably a fair result, I guess.“ – Matt Chandler, Redlands United FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 21

Saturday, August 13
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

Brisbane City FC – 2 (own goal 31’, Nathan BIRD 45’)
Redlands United FC – 2 (Graham FYFE 28’ 70’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2baZJVN

Match Officials - Adam Kersey (referee), Jay Hudson (assistant), Oleg Labuz (assistant), Isidro Terol Crespo (fourth)