Redbridge made their debut in this season’s Essex Senior Cup as they travelled to Aveley FC where they faced Eastern Counties side May & Baker for a 1st Round tie.

The hosts had the added incentive of winning as they were up against former manager Micky Wetherall who only made the switch to the Motormen last season.

Tom Harvey created the opening chance within the first 30 seconds, but his shot was straight into the arms of Frankie Worboyes. Moments later Redbridge should have taken the lead when debutant Harvey Brown found the run of Daniel Gilchrist and his early shot was pushed around the post to deny the ex-May & Baker striker.

The home side were being pushed back in the early stages however had a rare break which ended with a shot from Dan Barth which failed to trouble George Martin in goal.

Redbridge’s pressure finally told as they took the lead after 19 minutes when James Barlow slipped a ball through into the path of Gilchrist and he fired home past Worboyes to open the scoring.

The home side then came closest to scoring themselves as they put together a good passing move ending with Kai Warren smashing an effort wide.

Redbridge should have gone further ahead as Barlow found Gilchrist who was denied by a post before Barlow got himself on the score sheet finishing neatly after a pass from Brown.

Two was soon three when good work by Luke Stanley saw him step over a challenge before crossing into the middle finding Jordayne Henry unmarked in the middle and the youngster made no mistake from close range.

Scott O’Connor then saw his headed effort flash wide from a corner before Gilchrist showed good footwork to turn past a defender only to have his attempt well saved which proved to be the final effort of a lively 1st half.

Redbridge started the 2nd period as they ended the first with Gilchrist then Dean Hall and Sam Dickens both having opportunities, but it was Gilchrist who grabbed the next goal after running onto a Stanley through ball before looking up and placing his shot into the bottom corner.

He almost grabbed himself a hattrick when once again put through but this time he took one touch too many and only proceeded in finding the side netting.

May & Baker were then reduced to ten men after a late challenge on Stanley however it was after this period that they probably had their best spell of the match and Martin was called upon two occasions to make good stops to deny a consolation goal.

Barlow had a superb chance to finish the game off as he sprung the offside trap and tried to find the far post but could only fire wide whilst Kane Messenger headed over well placed from a corner.

In deep added time Gilchrist was not to be denied the match ball as he once again went clear and although his initial shot was saved he fortunately saw the ball come back into his path and simply tapped the ball across the line to complete the scoring and fire his side into the next round where a trip up the M11 to Saffron Walden Town awaits.

report by Adam Silver