Good Friday at the Oakside saw Redbridge take on Waltham Forest for the fourth time this season with the home side leading the way with two wins to one. Redbridge had a couple of central defenders out allowing the experienced Tyron Thomas to come back into the side in which was his 100th appearance for the Motormen.

The home side started the stronger with most of the play coming down the left side through the lively Samuel Phillips and it was he who had the first effort when he attempted a audacious lob which fell just wide of the right hand post.

That was followed by an Adam Hunt corner which was met by Sean Kettle but he could not keep his header down and it cleared the crossbar.

Waltham Forest looked lively on the attack through their striker Nicki Dembele and he had an early free kick which went just wide.

It was the home side who were in control and missed a hatful of chances including a double save by Mohammed Ahmed from top scorer Jacob Dingli. There were goal line clearances to prevent the opening goal plus a combination of post and crossbar came to Forest’s rescue on at least three occasions all of which fell to Brian Moses.

A real sucker punch followed when the away side took the lead , a good ball came in from full back Skirmantas Balauka and Dembele was on the end of it with a tidy finish to send Forest into the break a goal to the good.

Into the 2nd period and Redbridge wasted no time in getting level as Moses made up for those earlier spurned opportunities as he tapped home from close range.

Dembele however soon retained the lead for Forest as he was on the end of a lovely ball to slot home past Jake Mernagh.

The goals were now coming thick and fast as Redbridge got level once again this time with Dingli on hand to slot under the body of Ahmed.

Joe Gent had a chance to put the home side in front but from a wide position he blasted over before Mernagh had to be alert to deny Dembele a hat trick.

It looked like it was not to be as both Moses and Dingli wasted further efforts but with just four minutes remaining as Dingli popped up with his second goal of the match. That was not the end of the goals as Hunt was first to react to a save from Ahmed as he sealed the three points in what was an entertaining match and a good advert for the Essex Senior League.

Match Report by Adam Silver