The Motormen hosted Thurlow Nunn Premier League side Brantham Athletic in the Buildbase FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying and records show it was the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Both teams were in good form with the home side having won their previous two league matches whilst Brantham themselves were unbeaten in their last four. New signing from Bath City Joshua Hutchinson came straight into the Redbridge starting line up replacing the injured Joe Gent whilst defender Sam Sheppard was making his first start.

The first chance of the match came the way of the home side through Reside Coxi-Sebastfao who cut inside from the left before dragging his attempt wide. The same player then had a great opportunity to open the scoring when Brian Moses used his strength to power down the wing before cutting the ball back allowing the shot which was well saved by the feet of Paddi Hawkins in goal.

The away side had their first chance when Sam Newson strode forward beating two players but his long range effort drifted wide. Redbridge then scored the opening goal on 15mins when a Brantham defender lost possession in a dangerous position and Coxi Sebastfao picked up the ball cut inside a player before unleashing a powerful shot which flew past Hawkins.

It was no more than they deserved after a strong start and within two minutes they had doubled their advantage when a cross came in from the right finding Coxi Sebastfao unmarked at the far post and he simply tapped home.

Redbridge were now playing with added confidence as they refused to sit back on their lead as the lively Hutchinson tried his luck from distance but the ball was always rising.

Moments later It should have been 3-0 when a lovely floating cross from Sean Harris found Moses all alone but he glanced his header just wide. The player did not wait long to atone for that missed opportunity as he outmuscled his opponent to win the ball some 20 yards from goal and drove forward into the box leaving two players in his wake before simply stroking the ball home. It was a great show of strength from the tall centre forward who was causing problems for the Brantham backline each time he got the ball.

Newson had a chance to pull one back but his shot lacked power and was easily saved by Lewis Greene before Hutchinson was upended in the box but the penalty appeals from the home bench were swiftly waved away by the officials.

Redbridge started the 2nd half with the same intensity and it was not long before it became 4-0 , Moses picked up the ball and slotted through a defence splitting pass into the path of substitute Calvin Poku and with the deftest of touches he rolled the ball into the far corner.

Minutes later and Poku got his second of the afternoon when he found himself on the end of a Hutchinson cross to simply nod home unmarked at the far post.

The goals were reigning in and a SIXTH soon followed, Patrick Duggan stood up to superbly smash home a free kick 20 yards out leaving Hawkins in goal no chance.

Good play out wide by Coxi-Sebastfao saw the ball end up at the feet of Poku who tried a curling lobbed effort which fell just inches over the bar. The final 15 minutes saw Redbridge field just 10 men after Hutchinson hobbled off with all three substitutes having been used.

With this the home side tried to just see out the game but gave Brantham a chance to grab one back when awarded a penalty after a foul in the box but substitute Sean Bartlett saw his effort well tipped away by a diving Greene however from the resulting corner they did get their consolation when Jack Sibbons headed home.

Redbridge would have been disappointed to concede so late but the goal was to be the only blot on what otherwise was a very good solid performance which now sees us progress into the next round where we host another Thurlow Nunn side in Coggeshall Town.

report by Adam Silver