Redbridge travelled to Cricklefields for the local 169 Derby in the 1st Round of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy hoping to gain revenge on their opponents who beat them 4-1 at the Oakside just a few weeks earlier.

A good start by the away team saw them have the first effort on target when Bryan Kyungu struck a fierce shot which was palmed away by Hugo Rossetti however fell invitingly for Larry Asare but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to block the attempt.

Liam Burgess was next to try his luck as he connected well and once again Rossetti was called upon as he superbly dived to his left to tip the ball over for a corner.

Ilford then came forward and a mix up in the Redbridge back line allowed Lauric Diakiesse in on goal but he shot past the post when he really should have tested Lewis Green in goal.

Back came Redbridge as first Terrell Miller fired over before Ilford failed to clear allowing Jack Stevenson in on goal but unselfishly he squared to Calvin Poku who was not expecting the pass and the chance was soon gone.

The deadlock was finally broken after 17 minutes as a pass was played through the middle which Greene came out to collect but somehow he seemed to misjudge the ball which was quickly taken up by Yemi Adelani who had the simple task of rolling home into an empty net.

Shortly after Ilford came close to a second when Lion Docaj poked the ball past the onrushing Greene but fortunately for the keeper the ball went the wrong side of the upright.

It was a big miss which Redbridge took full advantage off when at the other end a through ball found the run of Asare and he kept his compusore to slot past Rossetti to level the scores.

The half ended with a free kick from Callum Maltese which needed a smart save from Greene to turn over for a corner kick.

Ilford almost scored straight from kick off in the second period when Adelani got past Greene before finding Maltese in the middle but his shot was well blocked by skipper Vinny Murphy.

The home side did however regain the lead on 50 minutes when a pass found the run of Adelani and thanks to a lucky bounce the ball sat up comfortably for him but he then proceeded to play a lovely lobbed effort over the head of Greene which fell into the empty net.

Once again though the Motormen struck back this time via a corner kick which was swung in by Stevenson finding the head of defender Quincy Egbejale who rose highest to head the equaliser.

Redbridge now had the ascendency as they continued to attack and looked especially dangerous through set pieces as a Stevenson free kick was put to the back post finding Miller who headed the ball back across goal which seemed to be heading for the far corner but for a goal line clearance by Luke Casey.

The game was now swinging from end to end as it was Ilford who came closest when Adelani smashed a shot against the bar and with Greene well beaten Diakiesse had the simple task of finding the back of the net however he could not keep his header down and the ball agonisingly went over the crossbar.

Stevenson then turned and shot forcing a save from Rossetti before Maltese at the other end was in on goal but went with his wrong foot and the effort was off target.

Stevenson again for Redbridge was causing problems and he stepped inside two Ilford players before curling an effort which seemed destined to find the top corner but for the flying Rossetti who got a strong hand to the ball and turned it out for a corner.

Ilford thought they had gone ahead again when Greene was beaten to the ball by Diakiesse who saw his shot cleared off the line by Miller.

Redbridge then came forward down the left as Marcus Carter crossed looking for substitute Muyiwa Osenie who was bundled to the ground as the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot. Stephenson stepped up to send Rossetti the wrong way and give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

There was still time for a red card as goalscorer Egbejale was sent from the field much to the confusion of many in the stand and presumably for something he perhaps said to the officials however the ten men of Redbridge held on for the win and will now travel to Stanway Rovers in the second round.

report by Adam Silver