Concord Rangers are currently flying high in the Ryman Premier Division and put an inexperienced Redbridge side through a night to forget. The Motormen squad featured a number of new faces, eight to be precise. A few first team regulars were rested as the management had an eye on this weekend’s fixture away to Ilford.

Redbridge were a goal down after just 32 seconds; a quick start from the visitors led to a break down the right wing. From the by-line Harry Elmes squared the ball across the area leaving the in-form Jason Hallett to tap in. 1-0 Concord Rangers.

Concord were two up in the fifth minute; Another cross in from the right, this time by Jerome Walker to the feet of Hallett who calmly fired the ball into the bottom left corner, 2-0 Concord Rangers.

Redbridge managed to hold out for the next 25 minutes albeit under heavy pressure. Hallett secured his hat-trick after 31 minutes; Danny Spendlove whipped in a corner from the right and Hallett tapped in from close range. 3-0 Concord Rangers.

Four minutes later the visitors increased the score-line; Danny Spendlove whipped in another corner, this time from the left. Elmes won the first header at the front post which forced ‘keeper Billy Ledine to produce a fine save. Ledine tipped the ball onto the bar but his teammates couldn't clear as Hallett was again there to poke the ball in. 4-0 Concord Rangers.

Half-Time – The visitors had been completely dominant in the first half, outclassing The Motormen all over the field. A young and inexperienced Redbridge team quite simply couldn't compete with a much higher quality of opponent.

Danny Cowley made two half-time substitutions for Concord Rangers, replacing Elmes with ex-West Ham United striker Tony Stokes.
Redbridge almost made it to the hour-mark without conceding another.

After 58 minutes Ade Osifuwa put in a cross from the right wing, close to the by-line, into the path of Hallett. He finished with a perfectly timed side-footed strike that went in off the left post. The fifth goal of the game for both Concord and Hallett. 5-0 Concord Rangers.

Just two minutes later the visitors scored again; Spendlove whipped in another teasing corner and Tony Stokes was there to flick in at the front post. 6-0 Concord Rangers.

Concord made two more changes after 61 minutes, replacing Walker and Spendlove with Sammy Knott and Jack Lampe.

After 64 minutes Stokes was brought down by Stephen Ikumelo after he controlled and split two defenders resulting in a penalty for the visitors. Hallett stepped up and looked confident of scoring his second hat-trick, the initial spot-kick was saved low to the left but the rebound was volleyed in by Hallett. A fine performance from him. 7-0 Concord Rangers.

Steve Portway made two changes after 68 minutes, replacing Daniel Chambers and Terrell Hunter with Christopher Roberts and Williams Ude.

The visitors refused to let up and increased their tally in the 71st minute; Jon Edwards played a long ball into the path of Stokes who was in space, he brought the ball under control and skipped past a player with a spectacular flick. This bit of skill set him up nicely on his left foot, just inside the area, and he stroked a curling shot into the bottom left corner. 8-0 Concord Rangers.

With five minutes left substitute Sammy Knott got on the score-sheet; Stokes again peeled off his marker and found space on the right, as he was played through he broke into the area and squared across the box for Knott to tap in from close-range. 9-0 Concord Rangers.

Full-Time – The visitors showed their class in this game and ran riot after two early goal, they looked comfortable in possession and outclassed The Motormen from the off. Some sympathy should be felt towards Redbridge, they fielded a young and inexperienced squad in a game that a result like this looked inevitable

The management will most definitely have a keen eye on their next league fixture away to Ilford, after suffering injuries in their last fixture they would have been looking to avoid any further injuries. A rude awakening for the new boys and a night they’ll be looking to forget quickly.

Positives for the next fixture – Putting the result aside, match fitness and match experience would be valuable for the squad albeit from a hammering. Good news from the bench – Morris Adu and Nana Asamoah both took part in pre-match preparations and could be fit for the trip to Ilford.

By Lewis Edwards – @LCEdw