Redbridge hosted in form Wadham Lodge at the Oakside in only the 2nd ever competitive fixture between the two sides. The home side’s regular goalkeeper Jake Mernagh got injured in the midweek cup defeat to AFC Wimbledon so ex Motormen keeper David McCartney decided to help out his old club by agreeing to stand in between the sticks.

The first chance of the game fell to the away side as the dangerous Musa Mannah did well to create himself some space before turning and firing an effort over the bar.

The same player was in the heart of the action again this time crossing to find defender Glody Nsamy but he was unable to keep his effort on target.

Redbridge first attack almost resulted in a goal when a Bryan Kyungu cross took a wicked deflection off a defender and seemed to be heading for the back of the net but for the outstretched arm of Lewis Green in the Wadham goal who managed to claw the ball away for a corner.

The away side were having the majority of possession and Larry Asare should of done better when presented with a good opportunity. It proved to be a costly miss as Redbridge went up the other end and opened the scoring through Brian Moses. Samuel Phillips did well out wide and his cross landed at the feet of Jacob Dingli who saw his shot saved only for the loose ball to land at the feet of the tall striker who was able to stab home from close range.

As the first half neared its end Wadham Lodge had their best opportunity of the match when Asare found himself through on goal but the experienced McCartney stood tall and was able to pull off a save which kept his side level going into the break.

The 2nd half started with a spurned chance for Redbridge when a quickly taken free kick by Phillips found Kyungu alone in space but he could only fire high over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

It never took too long however before the lead was doubled and it was Moses once again in the right place at the right time as he was first to react with the simples of touches after a free kick whipped in by Phillips evaded everyone including the goalkeeper.

Wadham were now under the cosh as Redbridge looked to further extend their lead, Dingli having his header cleared off the line before Moses had a shot blocked which rebounded back into the path of Kyungu who stabbed his effort wide.

Adam Hunt was introduced from the bench and his first touch released Moses who beared down on goal shooting past Green to claim his hat trick.

The only effort the away side could muster fell to their skipper Elliott Scott but he failed to keep his header down.

Once again the home side broke and another substitute this time in Reside Coxi-Sebastfao played a ball over the defender’s head into the path of Moses yet again and he was not to be denied as he fired home to become the first player under the Redbridge name to score four in one match.

Even lady luck was on our side as an unfortunate bounce almost caught out McCartney as the ball looped over his head and against the cross bar before falling welcomingly back into the goalkeeper’s arms.

report by Adam Silver