In form Redbridge and current holders of the Peter Butcher Trophy travelled up the M11 for this midweek Quarter Final tie against Takeley.

Manager George Christou rang the changes allowing several of his first team a much needed break as he promoted four reserve players into the squad.

Before everyone had even taken their seats Redbridge scored , a ball over the top caught Takeley defenders and goalkeeper sleeping allowing one of those reserve players in Tendai Quamini the simple task of finishing from close range.

Takeley soon woke up and started to come forward themselves, firstly Kieran Southgate had a shot off target before Alex Lambrou was close to getting on the end of a teasing delivery to the far post.

Redbridge were however looking lively on the break and defender Joe Elliott was at the heart of most of it breaking up play and carrying the ball forward on several occasions, one of those saw him fire just wide of the upright.

The remainder of the half passed with little in way of goal mouth action, Takely coming closest when Henry Tutton fired over the bar.

The second period began with the home side asking questions of the Redbridge defence, goalkeeper George Martin was forced to punch clear a free kick which looked like it could s dropped into the far corner.

The equaliser duely arrived , Southgate picked up possession outside the box before being allowed to run at goal and although his effort looked comfortable for Martin to gather it somehow squarmed through his body and nestled into the back of the net.

It was the first goal Redbridge had conceded in over 945 minutes of football , a remarkable feat at any level.

The home side buoyed by their goal now looked the hungrier of the two sides and were almost in for another goal before a tight offside decision went against them.

Redbridge soon after regained their lead when Quamini crossed from the left finding Joey May centrally positioned who met the ball perfectly on the half volley to fire past a helpless Matt Gill.

Takeley went in search of the leveller , a free-kick was floated over from the left which was headed down into the path of Jayden Gipson who saw his attempt deflected wide for a corner.

Fred Burrell then went even closer as he fizzed a shot just inches wide of Connor Wheatley’s goal, the keeper only just coming onto the field replacing the injured Martin.

With minutes remaining Takely pushed everyone forward including their goalkeeper but in doing so left themselves exposed on the break which Redbridge took full advantage of as they broke away down the right and substitute Roy Stevens punished them placing the ball into an empty net with Gill at the other end of the pitch.

That proved to be the final action as the full time whistle was blown, Redbridge will now travel to the winners of the Barking v Stansted tie in the semi-finals.

report by Adam Silver