Redlands ousted by Olympic FC

Last year's Round of 32 giant killers are out of this year's Westfield FFA Cup after Olympic FC eliminated Redlands United in Round 6 of Queensland's Preliminary Rounds.

Less than a year ago Redlands United were the talk of Australian football when they defeated then reigning Hyundai A-League champions Adelaide United in the Round of 32. But there would be no fairytale in 2017 as they went crashing out to an in form Olympic FC outfit. 

Olympic went into the game as favourites and moved one step closer to their second appearance in the Westfield FFA Round of 32 with a dominant 4-1 victory.

In the night's other match from the Sunshine State, Peninsula Power booked a date with Grange Thistle in a Round of 32 decider after outlasting Logan Lightning 7-6 in a dramtic penalty shootout.

Locked 2-2 at the end of regulation time, the sides could not be split after an additional 30 minutes of extra time leaving penalties to determine the winner. Logan's Geon Kim had the chance to win it when stepped up but his shot cannoned into the crossbar, Peninsula keeper Jake Reesby saving the next spot kick to end the contest.

At the Cleveland Showgrounds, Olympic FC opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Scott Bow met a low cross and fired past Denver Crickmore in goal for Redlands.

It was less than they deserved going into the break at halftime but gave the Red Devils a sniff which was extinguished when substitute Matt Heath got onto the end of a nice passing move and made it 2-0.

Costa Psaros and Charlie Slaney scored late in the game ensuring it was all but over by the time Alex Warrilow dragged one back for the visitors with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Olympic were deserved winners on the night despite missing a host of chances which had coach Terry Kirkham pulling his hair out on the sideline.

But Redlands had opportunities to score, none more so than when Graham Fyfe hit the post shortly after halftime, yet were their own worst enemy at times, repeatedly turning the ball over in dangerous positions when momentum turned their way.

The ability to quickly turn defence into attack was the hallmark of Olympic’s play tonight with Andrew Coyne getting plenty of ball out wide in the early stages, before he was substituted for injury just before halftime, and Heath taking up the mantle off the bench.

Noticeably, Redlands had their best period of the game when they were able to get some control in the midfield where they struggled, particularly in the first half, ensuring talisman Graham Fyfe was unable to get on the ball in meaningful positions up front.

CLICK HERE for the full match report.

Redlands United 1 (Warrilow 90’ )
Olympic FC 4 (Bow 32’, Heath 58’, Psaros 75’, Slaney 89’)