The 2020/21 season started for the Motormen with an Extra Preliminary Round FA Cup tie against Spartan South Midlands side
Harpenden Town played out in front of a decent crowd.

The first attack fell to the home side as striker Lucas Bourne-Warren took advantage of a defensive mix up and although his effort was on target it lacked any real power and was hacked away to safety

Harpenden were starting to get on top of proceedings and looked dangerous as they attacked down the flanks but on too many occasions were finding themselves getting caught out in offside positions.

They did however take a deserved lead after 16 minutes, it followed a lovely passing movement which saw Malik Rickman pick the ball up before exchanging passes with a team mate then running onto the follow up and striking his effort low past the dive of James Pellin in goal.

Redbridge were looking a little light weight up front and their best effort came when a long range attempt from Bourne-Warren was gathered comfortably by Alex Desmond in the Harpenden goal.

The away side continued to put pressure on Redbridge and came close to doubling their advantage when a free kick was taken by Harvey Scott which curled just over the bar.

Redbridge then came close to grabbing an unlikely equaliser as a good cross was whipped in from the right by Harvey Brown which took deflected off a defender and almost fell kindly at the feet of James Barlow but keeper Desmond was off his like quickly to gather.

Into the second period and an early penalty shout fell on deaf ears from the officials when it seemed certain a Harpenden defender had handled inside the box.

Within a minute Harpenden had scored a second goal and it was certainly one worth winning any cup tie. Jake Anthony picked the ball up but had little options available so decided to go alone and looked up before curling a lovely effort into the top corner giving Pellin no chance.

The game started to become a little scrappy as the tackles started to fly in with players from both sides not backing out of any challenges.

Redbridge made all their changes in the hope of pulling something back and although they went close with a Brown free kick and Tom Harvey volley they were unable to get that all important goal and as the game headed towards full time it looked more likely that Harpenden would grab a third.

The full time whistle was blown and it would be the away side who progress through into the Preliminary Round where they face a tough home tie against Bostik North side Aveley.

With Redbridge having a much changed side from last season it will take time for the team to gel , they will however need to improve on tonight's performance as the season starts in just a few days time with a tough opening fixture against one of the top sides in Saffron Walden Town.

report by Adam Silver