Redbridge hosted Eastern Counties League side FC Clacton in the 1st round of the Essex Senior Cup as they returned to action for the first time in just over 2 weeks.

A great start by the home side as Calvin Poku played through DJ Adelekan who used his pace and strength to beat his man but his cross was eventually cut out by Charlie Thompson in goal.

The home side continued to apply the early pressure and a long range pile driver by Vinny Murphy fell into the goalkeepers welcome arms.

Bran Kyungu then flicked a header onto Adelekan who delayed in taking the shot and in doing so the chance had gone.

The deserved goal did shortly arrive after nine minutes when a goal kick was headed straight back by Murphy finding the unmarked Poku in space and he had plenty of time to pick his spot and fire home.

A second goal should have arrived as Kyungu won possession and danced his way into the box but Thompson came out well to smother the shot.

The first chance fell to the away side fell when Adam Hampson fired a shot goal wards which stung the palms of Lewis Greene.

Adelekan was causing lots of problems for Clacton and showed great skill as he strode forward but was let down by his final shot which went over the bar.

Sam Baffour then put over a lovely cross which found the head of Adelekan who got in front of his marker only to see his header crash back off a post.

The rebound fell kindly to POKU who smashed his effort back towards goal only for the chance to be blocked by a defender on the line.

Poku then did well to create space for himself before getting in a shot which went flew over the bar

At the other end Hampson suddenly found himself in space and tried to catch out Greene with a lob but the Redbridge keeper stood firm to save.

Another good move, from home side as Poku spread the ball wide to Sam Baffour who swung in a cross finding Adelekan who was unable to keep his header down.

Redbridge almost were made to pay for all the missed chances as just before the interval against the run of play Clacton almost sneaked an equaliser when Jake plane ran onto a through pass and tried to dink the ball past Greene who managed to put out a strong leg to deny a goal.

Almost straight from kick off almost a goal for Clacton as a good cross came in from the right finding the diving header of Karl Andrade but his effort lacked power and was easily saved.

You could sense the away side starting to slowly come back into game as a fierce drive from plane required Greene to push the ball round the post

Redbridge's best chance of the half came via a set play when a corner was swung in finding Ashley Blackburn who saw his header aiming for the top corner only to be clawed effort away by Thompson.

The away side continued to threaten as Harry McDonald was allowed to run up field before getting a shot in although it lacked any real power to trouble Greene

Another shot came in this time from Jordan Brazitis which Greene at first fumbled before reacting quickly to prevent the ball creeping over the line.

A final late chance for Clacton as Brazitis fired a shot which fizzed wide as Greene sighed a relief to see the ball go wide

The officials then played seven mins of added time but the home side did enough to hold on for the win and will now meet the winners of the Stansted v Stanway Rovers match in the next round.

report by Adam Silver