Redbridge hosted Thurlow Nunn South side Wivenhoe Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Isuzu FA Vase., the Motormen were in good recent form having climbed to the top of the ESL midweek.

Within the opening minutes the home side showed their attacking intentions, the ball was laid off from Tony Martin into the path of Miles Peterkin who saw his effort look to be heading for the bottom corner but keeper Lewis Hawley got down well to push the ball against a post and away to safety.

Redbridge were having a large share of possession passing the ball around nicely, they came forward yet again as Reuben Campbell put over a cross which found Martin who showed good control before making space for himself and shooting but this time Hawley comfortably gathered.

Wivenhoe came up field for the first time as Callum McGlinchey tried his luck from long range but was off target.

After 17 minutes Redbridge opened the scoring, a corner swung in from the right found Peterkin who jumped highest to head home and although there were shouts from the away bench for a foul on the keeper nothing came and the goal stood.

The saying “2 buses came at once” was certainly the case as within two minutes Redbridge doubled their advantage, Martin again showed a good first touch to bring the ball down before finding Simon Bamidele who cut inside a defender before curling a lovely effort into the far corner.

Redbridge were now looking hungry for more as they continued to dominate winning the ball quickly out of possession not letting Wivenhoe any time to settle.

A rare attack at the other end saw McGlinchey try his luck but George Martin in the home goal was happy to let it sail wide.

Normal service shortly resumed as Redbridge scored a third goal, Martin crossed into Campbell who took a first touch with his chest which took him away from a defender before he bore down on goal and emphatically finished past a helpless Hawley.

Further chances followed as both Peterkin and Martin saw efforts saved before Hawley tipped over a curling Robbie Norris effort. Just after the keeper yet again showing his ability as this time turned over a rasping drive from Jack Chawner as the goal attempts started to clock up.

Into the second period and the away side would need an early response to give themselves any chance of getting back into the match and it just so happened that way, a ball was floated over into McGlinchey who was given far too much time to bring the ball down before allowed the opportunity to shoot which beat the diving Martin to bring his side a life line.

Redbridge looked to respond quickly and a great move almost resulted in a goal, Bamidele saw his cross to the far post find Campbell who connected sublimely with a volley only for Hawley yet again to make a super stop.

At times it seemed like Hawley was getting in the way of everything and he was on hand to turn over a Joe Elliott shot after the defender had driven into the box.

Martin then had a great opportunity to score when after cutting inside a defender he seemed to try and walk the ball into the goal allowing Hawley time to come and collect.

Wivenhoe were doing well to still keep in the game and though they had a good shout for a penalty as the lively McGlinchey fell to the ground tangling with a Redbridge defender but any shouts were quickly ignored as the game continued.

Their frustrations were ignited further when soon after at the other end Redbridge were awarded a penalty although no arguments here as substitute James Barlow fed the ball into the path of Peterkin who turned inside before being cut down, Barlow himself stepped up to send Hawley the wrong way and score his first goal of the season.

He should have grabbed his second soon after when Campbell did well to get down the line before squaring into the middle but he only succeeded in blasting over when it seemed easier to score.

Into injury time and Redbridge grabbed a 5th goal when Peterkin had time to control before firing home for his second of the afternoon and with that the full time whistle was blown , the Motormen safely through into Monday’s 1st Round proper draw.

report by Adam Silver