Bad traffic en route to Southend delayed the kick off by around 15 minutes.

When the game did eventually start it was the home side who came out the blocks quickest and almost took the lead within 30 seconds when the pace of the Manor striker saw him through on goal but his shot could only find the side netting.

They however did not wait for too long before the opening goal which came after just 5 minutes when a Barley Newell through ball found Rhys Fatt who fired his effort past Lloyd Anderson whom was making his debut in the Redbridge goal.

The away side were rocketed by the start and were struggling to deal with the pace of the home side's attacking movement and were punished once again on 9 minutes.

Newell in space went around Anderson before getting the ball caught up in his feet with the goal was at his mercy. He however managed to recover in time to pull the ball back to Mickey Hopkins who thumped his effort home.

Further efforts came for the home side as they looked to run riot but this time Anderson was on hand to pull off a good save.

The first real effort of any note for Redbridge came from a set piece when Jack Roult headed a corner over the bar.

As the half came towards an end Redbridge started to get a foot hold in the match and Jay Knight spurned a good effort before Joe Gent was denied not once but on three occasions.

The winger cut inside and although his shot beat Ellis Holiday it was cleared off the like by a defender before falling back to the same player who then saw his effort superbly saved by the keeper who was then able to pick himself up to claw away the rebounded attempt.

Into the 2nd period and two early changes for Redbridge saw them look more of an attacking threat but against the run of play they were to go further behind when a defensive mix up between keeper and defender allowed Sam Short the simple task of walking the ball into an empty net.

Southend almost scored again but Anderson pulled off a good save to deny Hopkins his second of the match.

The best chance of the game for the away side came after good work by Knight saw him pull the ball across the face of goal into the path of substitute Samuel Phillips but he shot wide when it seemed easier to score.

Redbridge did however pull a goal back on 82 minutes when a Gent cross came back off the bar and Kieran English was on hand to tap home.

The same player then had a great chance to score again after turning his man inside the box as he was just about to pull the trigger the ball was taken off his feet by a Manor defender.

With the Motormen pushing forward they left themselves vulnerable at the back and a defensive header back to Anderson fell somewhat short allowing Callum Ibe to simply lift the ball over the stranded goalkeepers head

Instantly Knight was on hand to pull back another goal for Redbridge but it was too late for any comeback and Southend got the 3 points.

report by Adam Silver