Redbridge were unable to replicate last season's success in the Essex Senior Cup as they were knocked out by Ryman North side Thurrock.

The away side started stronger and were causing problems in particular down the left flank with their pace. A dangerous cross by Ross Wall was turned away by Ore Odutola just before aThurrock striker could get a touch.

A nice passing move from Thurrock then saw Remi Sutton come forward from full back but his shot was off target before a deep cross from Wall found the head of Ross Gleed but his attempt went straight into the welcome arms of Jake Mernagh.

Wall again on the left this time had a chance as he ran through onto a long ball bearing down on goal but his cross cum shot evaded everyone and was finally cleared to safety.

The best chance of the match however came for the home side when Jacob Dingli released Reside Coxi-Sebastfao who broke free and fired his shot which although beat Connor Wheatley in goal rebounded back off a post. The ball then came straight back to the same player but he rifled his effort across goal with nobody else wearing a blue shirt in the area.

This was becoming an entertaining game with both sides looking dangerous on the attack, further chances came and went for both sides as the half time whistle approached.

Thurrock started the 2nd half quickest out the blocks as Wall had a couple of good efforts whilst ex Motorman Ronnie Winn's effort failed to trouble Mernagh.

Redbridge then started to have their best spell of the game and almost broke the deadlock best chance when Samuel Phillips released Dingli who although managed to get his shot in it was well turned away by Wheatley.

Aron Gordon and Jack Roult then spurned efforts which was capitalised on by Thurrock as they took the lead after 65 mins.
A good passing movement eventually found Jordan Clark in the box who fired home into an empty net with the keeper out of position.

Shortly after Clark latched onto a though ball bearing down on goal and was just about to pull the trigger before a challenge came in from substitute Stephen Good.

The Thurrock player fell to the ground and with it the referee pointed straight to the spot, Clark stepped up and fired past the despairing dive of Mernagh to score his 2nd of the evening.

It was certainly hard luck on the home side who up to that point were still very much in this game and was good to see their heads never drop as they showed no signs of giving up. They almost pulled a goal back when Christian Baffour Akoto got to the ball first but his header crashed against the bar and went over.

With two minutes remaining they got the goal their play deserved, good work by Knight out on the left saw him beat two players before his cross found Coxi-Sebastfao who in turn found Gent who stabbed home from close range.

It gave Redbridge belief they could grab the equaliser and had a great chance when a Knight flick on found the run of Coxi-Sebastfao who ran down on goal but his thumping effort flew just wide.

With Redbridge pushing forward they almost got caught out as Winn had a chance to make it three for Thurrock but he fired wide.

So it was the Ryman side who will progress to the next round of the competition and although the result went against them the home side must take great credit for their performance against higher opposition whom they remain very close on the night.

report by Adam Silver