Stephen Good netted a dramatic late winner to ensure that Redbridge booked the last spot in the Essex Senior Cup Fourth Round at the expense of Brightlingsea Regent.

Good scored five minutes into stoppage time to deny the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League outfit a penalty shootout after an entertaining encounter at Oakside in which Danny Charge initially gave the hosts the lead early in the second period. Kevin Coyle’s 84th-minute strike had levelled the scores before Good’s crucial intervention set up a last 16 tie at Harlow Town for the Motormen, courtesy of a 2-1 win.

Brightlingsea, quarter-finalists in the BBC Essex-supported competition in 2011/12, had much the better of the first half despite their tag as underdogs against the Ryman League Division One North club. Indeed, Coyle could have given the visitors the lead inside the opening minute, but Redbridge goalkeeper Dean Driscoll dived full length to tip his driven shot around the post.

Two minutes later Terry Rymer chipped wide of the upright for Regent, who threatened again in the 17th minute when Rymer was put clear by strike partner Scott Yearling, only to lob the ball harmlessly over the crossbar. Redbridge had still not registered a shot mid-way through the opening period when Coyle sent a vicious strike narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Liam Thomas saw a stabbed effort deflected wide from Abs Thompson’s right-wing corner in the 26th minute and Brightlingsea gloveman Daniel Beeson did well to hold a stinging Thompson shot above his head as the hosts finally began to settle into their game. But the best chance of the first half was Coyle’s swerving and dipping strike just before the half-hour mark which Driscoll saved after having to quickly change direction.

Redbridge, semi-finalists as recently as 2007/08, attacked the second period with renewed purpose and took the lead from the penalty spot four minutes after the interval. Zubair Haleem entered the penalty area on the left-hand side and Beeson brought the forward down after coming out to apprehend him. Charge made no mistake from twelve yards, stroking home to inflict the ultimate punishment on the shot-stopper.

Rymer sought an immediate response, only to fire straight at Driscoll, though Regent’s defence came under more pressure as Redbridge looked to extend their lead. Haleem’s beautiful reverse pass released Charge, but Beeson was equal to that effort as well as later attempts from Aaron Matthews and Gary Henty.

The match continued to open up, and Coyle spectacularly met Kevin Hughes’ knock down with a flying volley in the 74th minute, although again he caught Driscoll in inspired form as the ‘keeper made a save in front of the top left hand corner of the goal. Josh Gould should have equalised in the 78th minute, but he chipped over from six yards out after tricky wing play from Coyle on the right.

Charge could have made the game safe ten minutes from time when he latched onto Thompson’s pass and rounded Beeson. However, his shot was brilliantly cleared by a sliding Charlie Thompson as it rolled towards the goal. That gave Brightlingsea increased hope and they finally levelled when Coyle cut in from the right to shoot home in the 84th minute. Driscoll got a hand to the ball, but only enough to push it against the inside of the right-hand post and in.

Both sides had opportunities to win it, Jake Holman poking at Driscoll from James Clark’s free kick in the 86th minute and Beeson athletically clawing away Jack Sawyer’s header from a Charge cross deep into injury time. It looked as though penalties would be needed to separate the sides, but Good had other ideas, forcing the ball over the line from close range having leapt highest to connect with Eljay Worrell’s set piece.

Report courtesy of www.essexfa.com