Redbridge visited Spartan South Midlands League side Colney Hatch in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Vase and it was to be the first meeting between the two sides.

The Essex Senior League side started the stronger and had the first chance when Kieran English released Adam Hunt but his first time effort on the half volley flew wide.

The home side soon started to then impose themselves on the match and had plenty of possession without really causing any real problems in front of goal. The match started to turn somewhat scrappy and in windy conditions both sides failed to keep hold of the ball.

Without really troubling Redbridge it was somewhat by surprise that Colney Heath took the lead when a cross cum shot from the right hand side looked to be heading into the safe arms of goalkeeper Jake Mernaga before he let the ball slip through his hands and across the line.

The match suddenly came alive and the Motormen almost grabbed an instant reply but good defending prevented the goal as English saw his shot well blocked by a defender.

At the other end only a post denied the home side doubling their advantage when Lewis Davis beat his man for pace and although his shot left the goalkeeper stranded it rebounded back off the upright into the safe arms of Mernaga.

The last chance of the half fell to Redbridge when a cross from the left wing by David Sangolo flew over the head of English into the path of Joe Gent but he blasted his effort high over the bar.

Aron Gordon replaced Sangolo at the break for Redbridge but it was Hunt who should have scored but he saw his effort well saved by Emmanuel Olajide. The away side were piling forward in search of the equaliser and had a great chance when a cross from English found Hunt who saw his volley well saved before the loose ball fell at the feet of English again but his shot hit the outside of the post and went wide.

The initial save by Oladije resulting in him being replaced in goal by an outfield player after he sustained a hand injury which delayed the match by nearly 10 minutes.

Colney Heath were now in the ascendency and they had chances to extend their lead and eventually did so all be it by poor defending which ultimately cost them the goal. A poor pass went straight into the path of a home player who found Davis and he took his chance well beating Mernaga at the near post.

Redbridge needed an instant reply and got in just four minutes later when a long throw found English who was able to turn in the box and drill home.

It was now end to end stuff as the away side desperately went in search of the equaliser whilst at the same time leaving themselves exposed at the back to the counter attack and it was the home side who looked most likely to score again as they had further good opportunities.

The home side played out the added 10 minutes of injury time and will progress into the first round proper of the competition when the draw is made on Monday.

Report by Adam Silver