THE Redlands City Devils turned the Hyundai Queensland State League Grand Final on its head on Saturday night by doing what many thought was impossible, beating the League Champions the Brisbane Strikers in their own back yard.
It wasn't just the win that stunned the State's round ball code, it was the manner in which the Redlands City Devils outfought, outskilled and ultimately outplayed their illustrious opposition during their incredible 4-1 victory.
The performance was a fitting finale that had come off the back of stirring displays that saw Devils win against the more fancied Sunshine Coast (away) two weeks ago, and Olympic FC (away) last week, both in sudden death knockout finals.
Up until the 15th minute the game sat finely balanced before Strikers' Steve Unsworth brushed away a Redlands challenge 25 yards out and unleashed an absolute rocket that screamed past the outstretched Mitch O'Brien in the Redlands goal.
The Devils fought back and in the 39th minute Wayne Knipe met another Graham Fyfe free kick to power a header beyond Ryan Pearse into the roof of the Strikers goal to tie the game up.
The second half started in perfect fashion for the Devils when just three minutes in Ryan Pearse struggled with another corner and the ball dropped to Darren Davies to finish from close range.
In the 71st minute Russell Woodruffe netted his 23rd goal of the season when he came in from the back to convert a Graham Fyfe corner to hand the Devils a 3-1 lead.
The dying minutes saw three Devils bearing down on the Strikers goal with only a lone defender to stop the surge.
Chris Bale squared the ball to Danny Byrne and the diminutive striker/ midfielder slammed the ball past Ryan Pearse to send the Devils supporters into raptures.
The whistle blew and in a heartfelt moment the Devils players moved across to their large band of travelling supporters and sang in unison with them their famous victory song.
Scotsman Graham Fyfe was voted Man of the Match of the final.
"All our boys worked tirelessly for each other today, but I will single out captain Ryan Bridge. After badly turning his ankle in a challenge against Olympic last week he appeared very doubtful for the game but he was determined to play and with a heavily strapped ankle he went out and led by example with a towering game in the back line," Devils assistant coach Dave Thorogood said.
"We were completely written off as 'no chance' of making the final, but not only did we make it; we won it and won it well."
Thorogood thanked all Devils supporters and club volunteers for their great support throughout the season and congratulated Devils' youth side for being season Premiers.
Unfortunately Devils lost the State Youth League grand final to Brisbane Strikers 2-1.
Kyle Price scored Devils' goal halfway through the second half, and goalkeeper Matt Tubbs made a number of one on one saves, but Devils weren't able to convert their opportunities.
It was an entertaining game and the Devils can hold their heads high.
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