The Motormen made the midweek trip up the M11 to face Saffron Walden Town in the 2nd Round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup, they arrived in good form and with a win already under their belts against their opponents earlier this season at Catons Lane confidence was high they could progress.

Redbridge started the better of the two sides with the first chance coming via a free kick taken by Sergiu Maximov which required James Young in the home goal to turn over the bar for a corner.

The first chance for the home side fell to the lively Craig Calver but his shot was straight at George Martin who easily gathered.

Jack Chawner then won the ball in midfield before finding the run of Tayo Josh Olukolo , his touch took him a little wide of the goal however he was still able to get a shot in which just dropped narrowly wide of the post.

Joe Elliott then played a lovely ball over the Saffron back line finding the run of Bradley Bennett who found himself with the goal in his sights bit good defending saw him smothered out and the chance was gone.

Walden then came forward down the left with a good passing move which saw the ball fired low into the box where Bennett had to be alert to clear, the resulting corner found the head of Stanley Leech who headed home on his debut for the club to open the scoring.

Redbridge would have been disappointed to have conceded from a set piece and within 10 minutes later they were two down in similar fashion, this time a free kick was swung over and once again Leece was on the end of it to double his and the home side’s lead.

Saffron buoyed by their goals continued to attack and from another set piece they almost grabbed a third but the slightest of touches from Martin tipped the ball onto the cross bar and away to safety.

Redbridge then came forward as a cross from Elliott found James Barlow in the box but his he could only head the ball down against a defender out for a corner, Nathan Okoye got to the ball first but only succeeded in heading wide which proved to be the final chance of the 1st half.

Into the 2nd period and Redbridge looked for an instant reply as first Herman Mwanza saw a shot blocked before Jack Chawner rode a couple of challenges before his shot took a deflection which almost caught Young off guard as he was happy to see the ball drift away for a corner.

Saffron then attacked through the lively Craig Calver who squared into the path of Joe Pullen who set himself up for a volley which fizzed wide of the upright.

The away side continued to search for a way back into the game as Jake Brocklebank headed a Bennett corner wide in a good position, moments later and they really should have scored when from a Mwanza cross Barlow somehow managed to sky the ball over from close range when it seems easier to score.

With both sides making substitutions the rest of the match passed rather uneventful and although both keepers were called upon to make further stops the home side were able to see the match out and with it progress through to the 3rd round.

report by Adam Silver