REDLANDS United are set to begin their National Premier League season on Sunday away against Moreton Bay United.
The signing of new coach Richard Greer and a totally revamped team lineup has the squad looking up.
Redlands have been preparing for the season with a series of games, allowing the new look side develop structure, team awareness and cohesiveness.
The Red Devils finalised their 2021 preparations last Saturday when they played host to FQPL side and local rivals Wolves FC.
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The Red Devils were still without a couple of players due to minor injury worries but Greer put a strong side on the field.
Wolves got on the score sheet early when poor defending from a set play allowed the visitors to take an early lead.
This sparked the Red Devils into action, seeing them dominate play and continue to apply pressure on the Wolves goal.
Livewire Ryo Emoto earned the home side a penalty when he was brought down in the box late in the half.
Shuto Kuboyama stepped up and made no mistake to level the score.
The scoreline could have been in favour of the home side except for some great last ditch defending and some fine saves from the Wolves keeper which kept the Red Devils out and the score locked at a goal apiece at the break.
With the second half continuing on much the same lines as the first finished, a James Bonomi pin-point free kick found Carlton Westerdale at the far post whose diving header gave the Red Devils a deserving 2-1 lead.
Wolves pressed hard looking to get something out of the match but United held firm.
Coach Greer said the game was another step in the right direction.
"I was really happy with the reaction after conceding a goal very early off a set piece," he said.
"Overall, we are pleased with the result in a game where we created a number of chances and probably should have scored more.
"The boys are looking forward to round one next week against Moreton Bay and (we) hope to see as many people from Redlands there to support us."
In the early games, the under 23s went down 3-4 in a tight affair and the under 18s earned a hard fought 6-2 victory over Wolves FC.
Redlands United play their first game of the season at Albany Creek this Sunday against Moreton Bay United.
They return to Compass Grounds at Cleveland next week to take on NPL powerhouse Peninsula Power in their first home game of the season.
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