Redbridge made the short journey to Mayesbrook Park , home of Barking FC to face fellow ESL side Clapton for a place in the final of the Len Cordell Memorial Cup and for the first time since before Christmas we welcomed the return of supporters into the ground.

This was the second time the two sides had met having previously faced one another in the opening group stage game which Redbridge triumphed 1-0, a goal which had been the only which Clapton had conceded throughout the entire tournament.

Redbridge started the game looking to attack from the get-go , a decent cross was put over by Jake Brocklebank searching for Tony Martin but was headed clear by a Clapton defender. At the other end Clapton then came forward themselves , a dangerous cross was put over to the far post before being headed down into the danger zone but with no red shirt on hand was hacked away by the Redbridge back line.

Brandon Rooks then registered the first shot of the match as he created space for himself beat his man and although his effort was on target it fell kindly into the welcome arms of Redbridge keeper George Martin.

Clapton were looking the livelier in the early stages having the lion share of possession and went close when from a corner Simeon Beckford connected but only succeeded in heading over the bar.

The home side however had a let off when slack defending let in Abdishakur Farah who played the ball into the path of Martin , he delayed his shot instead looking to square the ball back into Farah however in doing so allowed a Clapton defender to block the effort and go out for a corner.

Ayub Kadiri then played a lovely pass in on goal looking for Farah however Carlos Simeon in the Clapton goal reacted well and was quickly out of his box to beat the striker to the loose ball.

Redbridge were starting to find their way in the match and soon went in front, a free kick was awarded which Brocklebank swung into the far post where in arrived Farah to slot home his first goal in the tournament and put his side ahead.

The goal certainly changed things and Redbridge were looking dangerous on the attach, Farah who was looking lively whenever he got the ball was given a late offside call when he looked like he was well onside.

They didn’t have to wait long for the second goal which duly followed, Brocklebank showed good skill to beat his man in the penalty box and in doing so was brought crashing to the ground leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot.

Up stepped Martin who coolly slotted home his sixth goal of the tournament thus far, doubling his sides advantage and putting them in control as the half time whistle approached.

In fact it should have been 3-0 to Redbridge when Jack Chawner saw his ball split the Clapton back line finding Olamiji Ayoola in unknown territory, if only it was a striker and not a defender, he may have struck home rather than dragging his shot wide of the upright.

The 2nd half began in similar fashion to how the 1st ended as this time Kadiri found himself alone in space but with the same result as he agonisingly shot wide of a post.

Clapton had their first real meaningful attack for some time when defender Fernandes made a powerful run down the left flank leaving two Redbridge players in his wake however his cross was well intercepted by Martin.

A defensive clearance landed kindly at the feet of Clapton substitute and ex Redbridge wide man Liam Francis who fired a shot through a crowded area which managed to avoid everyone and drift wide for a goal kick.

Redbridge soon again however were back on the front foot , firstly Martin turned and shot straight at Simeon before Farah broke free down the left-hand side however his attempted cross into the middle was cut out.

A Clapton attack then broke down allowing for a quick counterattack as Redbridge substitute Shaun Harris set Farah free in on goal, he chose to try and cut inside a defender rather than take the ball out wide and in doing so saw his chance vanish, the loose ball fell to fellow sub Gyane Sanderson whose shot lacked the conviction to beat Simeon who smothered well.

Clapton showed they were still in the match and posed a threat when a curling effort came in from outside the box which was not too far wide of the post and would have no doubt beaten Martin in goal.

As the clock went into added time Redbridge put the final nail in the coffin when again a quick break saw them get forward once again down the left flank this time through James Barlow, he looked up and put the ball into the middle finding substitute Josh Sykes all alone and he had time to steady himself and fire home to make it 3-0 and send his side through to Saturday’s final.

They will meet Eastern Counties side Holland FC at the Oakside after they overcame FC Clacton in the other semi-final, how fitting it could be for Redbridge to possibly win the trophy at their own ground in memory of Len who no doubt will be looking down on the match.

match report by Adam Silver