The Motormen made the journey to Bedfordshire to face Southern League Central side Stotfold as the 2025/26 season officially got underway with this Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie

The two sides only ever previous encounter came just two seasons prior when they met in an FA Trophy tie which ended in a 1-0 victory to Redbridge.

Redbridge started with many familiar faces however welcomed defenders Cameron Lewis-Brown and Ugonna Emenike to their line up whilst a 7 man bench included 5 new faces.

The first chance of the match fell to the home side when the lively Dan Kemp and his ball found Codi Spavens who saw his snap shot cleared.

At the other end and the first chance for the away side when Fotsing Pitoula Wabo showed good skill to put the ball onto his favoured foot which flat footed two defenders before he dragged his effort wide of the upright.

The first goal shortly arrived,    Redbridge were awarded their first corner of the afternoon which found it's way to the back post where Kai Thomas Fraser was lurking and was able to stab the ball into the back of the net.

Moments after and it should have been a second goal when a lovely cross from the right found Pitoula Wabo who from close range saw his header saved by Liam Gooch.

Redbridge were now well in control of proceedings looking dangerous with every attack,   a lovely passing move deserved a goal but Pitoula Wabo saw his effort turned away.

With only a one goal advantage it always meant Stotfold were still very much in  the game and their best chance soon arrived when a brilliant cross over from the left found the unmarked Henry Snee who really should have scored but fluffed his lines allowing Samuel Nwabuko in goal to make the stop.

Back at the other end and the ever influential Malachi Napa tried his luck from a tight angle which was well saved by Gooch before Pitoula Wabo had an attempt blocked.

With half time approaching Stotfold would have been happy going in just a goal behind however Redbridge got that all important second goal as Pitoula Wabo finally got on the score sheet as he ran onto a headed flick on before firing a smart finish home.

The second period began with Snee heading wide before Pitoula Wabo looked certain to make it three but lacked composure and blasted over.

It was soon 3-0 however in unfortunate circumstances for the home side,  a innocuous pass back from a Stotfold defender was missed by keeper Gooch who started to run back towards goal only in vain as the ball trickled across the line.

Minutes later and it was game over,   a ball found Solomon Ogunwomuju who took one touch to control before taking a second to fire low into the corner of the net.

The remainder of the game saw little in clear cut chances as both sides turned to the bench making multiple changes.

Redbridge continued to push forward as they went in search of a 5th goal at the same time holding off Stotfold from any consolation before full time was called.

FA Cup victories are always special and even more so that this proved to be only the 3rd for the Motormen in the past 13 seasons,   they will now travel to Essex Senior League side Great Wakering Rovers ( a repeat of last season's Extra Preliminary Round tie) in the next round.

report by Adam Silver