THE Redlands City Devils are looking to regroup for next Sunday's 6pm State League game against Brisbane rival Olympic FC at Goodwin Park, Yeronga, after suffering their heaviest defeat of the season against their nemesis side the Sunshine Coast Fire on Sunday afternoon.

The 6-0 loss means Devils have slipped down to third spot on the QSL soccer table.

The top of the table clash last weekend had all the ingredients for a classic encounter but the Devils simply did not get out of the starting blocks.

They found themselves a goal down after only two minutes when a glaring defensive mistake gifted a free shot from 10 yards that was not missed.

Redlands created two or three openings in the first half all of which were dealt with by Jerrad Tyson in the Fire goal before the Fire doubled their score five out from the break with a glancing header at the near post.

On the stroke of halftime there could have been a third but for a fine reaction save from Redlands keeper Matt Ham.

Redlands created the first opening of the second half but Barry Moran should have done better when his angled shot was easily saved.

Ten minutes into the half Josh Filewood was given a straight red for retaliating to a poor challenge and soon after Evan Parrish was himself given a straight red for a challenge which extinguished any flickering hope of a Devils fightback.

The Fire immediately capitalised on numerical advantage scoring two goals within a minute and although the visitors never gave up the Fire scored two late goals in the 83rd and 86th minutes to seal a resounding victory.

Redlands' Papua New Guinea striker Tau Winnie almost scored a consolation goal, but saw his shot come off the foot of the post in stoppage time.

Redlands assistant coach Dave Thorogood, although disappointed, summed the game up thus: "We came here with everything to play for and for reasons unbeknown to Peter (Bannon) or myself, simply did not start.

"We were second best in every facet of the game today and were well beaten by a side that is deservedly top of the table.

"Our turnover rate was horrendous and if you continually turn the ball over you will get punished.

"I think it's a tough enough ask coming here with 11 players, so having two sent of early in the second half certainly didn't help our cause.

"Sunshine Coast took their chances well, it's just a shame from our point of view the score blew out like it did.

"A result like this does not suddenly make us a bad side and if we can learn quickly from this match it will set us in good stead for the tough run home we have".

The Harvey Norman 1st Division games against the Toowoomba Raiders last Saturday were cancelled by the officials due to flooding of the field following the heavy downpours that enveloped the area.

Coach Lenny Ingle has the side primed and the Division 1 side is ready for Saturday's game away to Albany Creek.

Games start at 2pm for Youth, 4pm Reserves and 6pm for the Harvey Norman Red Devils to take on across-town rivals Albany Creek.