The newly refurbished Oakside Stadium was the venue for Redbridge’s clash against AFC Sudbury who welcomed their returned to the Ryman League after spending the last two seasons in the Southern League. Joining the bench for the home side was former Barkingside manager Kris Taylor who lined up alongside Dave Ross to form a new joint management team .

It was the away side who started the stronger with some neat passing movements but Redbridge should have been ahead in the 8th minute when Julian Ashby’s cross found Tom Stephen unmarked at the far post but his header cleared the bar when it seemed easier to score. Sudbury then hit back when Craig Hughes took a free kick which David McCartney did well to first parry then followed up with a good save to thwart the Sudbury strikers.

Two great chances then followed for the home side both of which fell to Alex Read , firstly he connected to the ball 5 yards from goal but failed to get his shot on target before receiving an excellent through ball from Agdomar which found him in space with time to pick his spot but Wilmot was equal to it and made a good save.

Sudbury then had their best chance when Tom Webb created space for himself but saw his shot excellently saved by David McCartney in goal. For all the home side’s 1st half pressure it was the Sudbury who almost took an early 2nd half lead when Steve Wareham almost put the away side in front but he failed to get a good connection on the ball.

The remainder of the half passed by largely uneventful with both sides looking for the win and deep into added time when it appeared that the match would end goalless Simon Peddie was alleged to of fouled a Sudbury player and the referee pointed straight to the spot. The Redbridge captain will of considered himself very unfortunate to of conceded the penalty and justice was almost done when James Baker’s penalty kick was brilliantly palmed away by McCartney but the ball fell straight back into the path of the player who made no mistake and gave the away side the win and opening day 3 points.

Redbridge: McCartney, Donovan, Crossley, Matson, Peddie, Good, Ashby, Thompson(Perry), Read, Agdomar(Edwards), Stephen(Gillingham)

Report by Adam Silver