This Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy 2nd Round finally got underway after several postponements and although the game was classed as a HOME fixture the tie was switched to Crofters End as the Oakside pitch was still waterlogged.

The first chance fell to the Motormen when a long throw fell to James BARLOW who got a touch which saw the ball clip the top of the bar and go over.

Taylor TOMBIDES then exchanged passes before getting into a good position, but his shot was off target before he found Charlie PORTWAY who tried to curl the ball into the far corner but got his angels wrong and failed to trouble Sam Butler in the Sawbridgeworth goal.

The first chance then arrived for the away side as Michael FOLKES came forward, but he could only proceed to fire wide.

James PELLIN in the Redbridge goal was then called upon to make a stop however he was beaten shortly after as a long ball over the top caught out the defence who took too long in clearing allowing the ball to bounce kindly into the path of Cobham CLARKE who struck sweetly into the far corner to give his side the lead.

Soon after and the same player almost grabbed his second but blasted over from a good position when he really should have tested Pellin.

Redbridge started to get themselves slowly back into the match as Charleston BROWNE crossed into the box where Tom HARVEY connected but could only head wide.

Chances then came and went for Barlow, Portway and Timi ABIOLA however the best and last of the half fell to Joe MASKELL who from a corner saw his header superbly tipped around the post by the diving Butler.

Within five minutes of the restart the away side doubled their lead when a ball was fired at goal and although Pellin made the first save he was unable to prevent the rebound from Tashan RANDALL who struck home.

Redbridge did get a goal back when Portway’s lobbed effort came back off the bar before a bit of pinball in the box finally saw the ball fall at the feet of Tombides who fired into the back of the net.

With Redbridge brining on Hassan NALBANT they now had three up in attack as they went looking for the equaliser and Portway should have levelled when put through on goal and with BUTLER out of his area he looked to lob the ball into an empty net however he allowed the ball to bounce and saw his effort agonisingly drop the wrong side of the crossbar.

Harvey then floated a free kick into the box which Dean HALL headed over before against the run of play Sawbridgeworth came back up the other end and put the game beyond their opponents when the ball was played across the area before being swept home to send his side through to the 3rd Round.

report by Adam Silver