The Motormen hosted fellow ESL side Saffron Walden Town in the 3rd round of the Essex Senior Cup making several changes to their starting line up including young goalkeeper Connor Hyams who came in for just his second match for the club.

The away side started quickest and attacked from the off winning a corner with their first break up field although it came to nothing.

Redbridge then attacked themselves winning a series of corners but failed to test Neil O’Sullivan in the Saffron Walden goal.

Ex Redbridge player Lewis Francis then evaded a couple of challenges before finding Daniel Trendall who in turn knocked the ball down to Greg Strong who could only proceed to blast over from a good position.

The home side were playing some nice football with good passing but without really threatening in the final third.

The best chance of the match followed when a cross came in from Francis from the right finding Jamie Solkhon who saw his powerful headed well turned away by Hymans who was in the right place to make the save

Jack Stevenson then swung a corner in for Redbridge which required O’Sullivan to be alert as he tipped the ball over and away for a corner before Tommie Turner showed good skill to beat two defenders and fire in a curling effort which flew over the bar.

The opening goal of the game eventually came after 28 minutes when with the home side failing to clear a cross was put over finding the head of Trendall who made no mistake from close range.

Just two minutes later and Saffron Walden were awarded a penalty after a late timed tackle in the box , up stepped James Crane but he fired well wide of the target allowing Redbridge to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Both sides had further chances before the half time break but they came to nothing.

From the restart Saffron Walden should have put the game to bed when Trendall pulled the ball back to Jack Mead but he scuffed his shot and shot over the bar when it was easier to score.

The away side were looking menacing now and had a great chance to score when Charlie Davies slipped the ball past the out coming Hyams but fortunately for Redbridge they had a defender on the line who was able to clear the danger.

Defender Ryan Fleming then tried his luck when in a crowded box he could only succeed in lifting his shot over the crossbar.

Redbridge finally had their first chance of the second period when Turner used his pace out on the left before crossing into the middle finding Stevenson but his shot was easily gathered.

From that attack Saffron Walden immediately went up the other end and doubled their advantage when a cross found Francis all alone unmarked in the box and he headed past a helpless Hyams.

Just three minutes later however the deficit was halved when Larry Asare showed good pace to get down the bye line beating his man before finding the run of Samuel Phillips who stroked home the cross to give the home side hope.

Redbridge now had belief they could find the equaliser and attacked through Asare who once again was involved crossing into the middle finding Turner who connected well but his shot lacked power and was easily saved.

At the other end Craig Calver put a ball over into the middle finding Francis who got the slightest of touches which appeared to be heading for the far corner but for the finger tips of Hyams who dived across goal and was able to push the ball around the post.

They were not to be denied a third goal however when Trendall ran onto a through ball and fired past Hyams and into the back of the net before a defender could get back to clear and grabbed his second goal of the night,

Substitute Lewis Hewitt then whistled a shot past the post before the whistle blew giving the away side a much deserved victory and it will be their name in Wednesday’s 4th Round draw whilst for Redbridge their dismal home form continues.

report by Adam Silver