Thunder roll Redlands

SWQ Thunder dominate Redlands to secure back-to-back NPL victories.

GOOD RESULT: South West Queensland Thunder player Nicholas Edwards finds open space in his side's NPL game against Redlands United. Edwards scored in the Thunder's 3-0 win. Picture: DSL Photography

FOOTBALL: The SWQ Thunder produced a patient but commanding performance on Saturday to secure back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Playing host to Redlands United at Gatton, the Thunder secured a 3-0 win.

Anthony Grant once again proved to be the difference scoring a goal - his third in two games - and providing the assist for another.

It wasn't all smooth sailing though with the Thunder forced to work hard against a determined Redlands outfit reduced to 10-men just before half-time.

"They put up a real fight defensively when they went down a player,” SWQ Thunder midfielder Jackson Franke said.

"But we were very patient. We were creating plenty of opportunities - we knew we just had to convert one of them.”

The opening goal came in the 72nd minute when Nicholas Edwards tapped home an Anthony Grant cross at the back post.

The Thunder's celebrations were very short-lived however with defender Keagan Sheridan given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card.

The Thunder took Sheridan's departure in their stride making a few minor adjustments according to Franke.

"We pretty much kept the same formation, we just played two centre backs,” he said.

"We kept working hard and the goals came. I think the most pleasing thing lately though has been the improvements in our defence.

"In the last two games we've scored seven goals but just as important is the fact we've kept two clean sheets.”

The Thunder's second goal came in the 82nd minute when the in-form Grant guided home his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Italian defender Frederico Brusaca rounded out the scoring with a header in the 87th minute of the game.

Second-half substitute Daniel Weber said the key to his side's win was their patience.

"During our video session last week we identified what we thought was a weakness in them (Redlands),” he said.

"We kept the same style and formation from last week and set about trying to break them down.

"When they had a player sent off we knew that we just had to be patient, keep working hard and tire them out.

"We kept working away at them until more chances came our way and we scored.

Women fall short

Things didn't go the way of the Thunder women at the weekend.

Facing South United the side loss 7-0 - they did however show an improved performance in the second half of their game after trailing 5-0 at half-time.

Originally published as Thunder roll Redlands