Heavy rain at the Oakside earlier throughout the day was not enough to prevent this Emirates FA Cup tie from going ahead as Redbridge faced local rivals Ilford in the Extra Preliminary Round.

Redbridge started well forcing an early corner and although it was cleared the resulting cross from Bradley Bennett was turned home at the far post by the outstretched leg of Robbie Norris to give the Motormen an early lead, he was made to take a knock for his troubles as came off worst against the post as he ran in to score.

Ilford soon were almost gifted an opportunity to respond when a poor pass fell straight at the feet of Tigana Quebe who turned inside a defender but just before he was about to shoot Bennett made a great tackle to win the ball, there were some light hearted penalty appeals from the Ilford bench but they were quickly waved away by the officials.

Redbridge attacked down the right flank through the pace of Herman Mwanza forcing an Ilford defender into giving away a foul, the resulting free-kick was taken by Timothy Ogunrinde who looked to curl one into the top corner but his effort floated wide.

Reece Sayers then created some space for himself before getting a shot on target which required Redbridge goalkeeper Conner Whealtey to be alert to as he tipped the ball around the post out for a corner.

Both sides were not afraid to put in a challenge as some heavy but fair challenges were going in , one of which however did result in a Redbridge substitution as Jack Chawner left the field to be replaced by Abdishakur Farah.

Another Redbridge attack this time down the left saw Ibrahim Kehande get in front of his marker , he squared the ball which eventually made its way to Mwanza who looked up and tried to find the far corner however Josh Blackburn in the Ilford goal was equal to it and this proved to be the last effort of the half.

Ilford just a goal down at the break had hopes of getting themselves back into the game and indeed they did just that on 52 minutes, a long cross field pass from Dion Kirwan-Lewis was chested down by Quede before he executed a superb lob with his next touch which sailed over the head of Wheatley and dropped into the back of the net to level the score.

Soon after Redbridge keeper Wheatley was forced from the field with an injury , he was to be replaced by George Martin who himself had not started the match through injury he sustained in our midweek fixture v Athletic Newham.

Redbridge were trying to retain their lead and had a couple of good chances as both Farah and then Kehinde both headed before the home side were then awarded a penalty. A poor clearance from an Ilford went straight to Ogurinde who ran towards goal and although it initially seemed he may have taken the ball too wide he was knocked to the floor by an Ilford defender and the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Jake Brocklebank who looked to find the corner but Blackburn managed to stand tall and make a good diving save , as he got up to gather the ball in came Mwanza trying to poke home the rebound however he fell over the goalkeeper and in doing so the referee allegded his challenge had been too hard and showed a second yellow card to the Redbridge striker meaning he had to leave the field as the home side were reduced to ten men.

There was soon confusion for all as a cross came in which Martin came and punched clear, the assistant on the far side put his flag up for what looked like an offside or free-kick only for the referee to proceed in pointing to the penalty spot, the referee was quickly however alerted to go and speak to his assistant and in doing so the decision was quickly overturned.

The game was not entering it’s final 10 minutes as both sides had chances , a cross was put over finding Ilford substitute Andre Embalo showed who from a good unmarked poisiton only managed to head wide.

A Redbridge attack then saw Farah in on goal but he took too long in trying to shoot and eventually the chance had gone as Ilford managed to clear the danger.

With the match now entering it’s final minute Ilford came forward one final time and in doing so won a corner, it was played into the middle where an Ilford head rose highest as the ball flew past the despairing dive of Martin to turn the match around.

Now deep into injury time Redbridge desperately tried to grab themselves level and would have done not had it been for the superb Blackburn in goal, he first was on hand to save from Farah before picking himself up to deny Kehinde the rebound. With that save went the final whistle as Ilford players rushed to their keeper who had played an instrumental part in giving his side the victory and it will be the Foxes who now travel to Barking in the next round whilst Redbridge will need to pick themselves up as they look to host Woodford Town in midweek.

report by Adam Silver