Redbridge came into this match on the back of a good midweek win at Ilford and were hoping that today’s game would not be as nail biting for their managers and supporters as in their previous encounter against today’s opponents which required a late goal to secure a 5-4 win in the FA Vase just a few weeks ago.

The Motormen were forced to make a change in goal due to injuries to both their goalkeepers so taking position between the sticks was defender Christian Baffour-Akoto.

An early foul conceded by Samuel Phillips led to a free kick which found Joe Bricknell but his long range effort was always rising.

A good run forward by full back Jack Roult saw him brought down, the resulting free kick saw Hunt step forward but Dimitri Payet he is not and his effort sailed high into the stand behind the goal.

Eton Manor took the lead after 10 minutes when a nice passing move saw a long ball find the run of Josh Skyes and he took his effort first time beating Baffour Okoto.

Redbridge instantly came back up the other end and almost equalised when a deep cross found the head of Hunt but his headed rebounded back off the crossbar.

Sykes for Manor was causing lots of problems for the home defence and almost sneaked in behind the Redbridge defence to grab his 2nd goal but Baffour-Akoto was on hand this time to make the save.

It was soon however 2-0 to the visitors when ex Motorman Ben Bradbury cut inside and rifled his effort beating Baffour Akoto at his near post.

Redbridge came forward through full back Marcus Carter who found himself free in the area but miscued his shot with his left foot and the attempt ended up drifting wide.

Aron Gordon was causing problems for Eton Manor out wide with his pace and was showing that Redbridge certainly were not out of this game. That was proven to be the point when they pulled a goal back after a lovely in swinging free kick found the head of Stephen Good whose headed crept in at the far post.

A the half ended the Motormen were on top as they went in search of the equaliser , the best chance came from a well worked corner which found David Sangolo but his effort was easily held by Joseph.

The 2nd half started slowly and with both sides battling for possession in middle of the park the game became somewhat scrappy. The best chance came to the home side when Gordon was through bearing down on goal but Billy Johnson got back just in time to make the challenge.

Eton Manor restored their two goal advantage when Josh Skyes picked the ball up 25 yards outside the area and fired a superb effort leaving Baffour Ekoto clasping at thin air as the ball flew into the back of the net.

Knight then took advantage of a long goal kick which bounced over a defender’s head but his shot went straight into the keeper’s arms.

Redbridge were then awarded a somewhat fortuitous penalty when to many it appeared as though the Redbridge player and Manor keeper just ran into one another but the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot much to the anger of the Eton Manor players and bench.

Knight stepped up and fired past the diving effort of Joseph. The Motormen then had a great chance to equaliser moments later when a loose ball fell to substitute James Mccann but he fired wide.

Persistence from the home side was finally rewarded when Knight tapped home with the Eton Manor players looking for an offside decision that never came. In the dying moments there was controversy as Eton Manor were denied a penalty as the referee alleged the foul on their player took place just outside the penalty box. The free kick came to nothing and the final whistle was blown on an entertaining afternoon of football.

report by Adam Silver