Redbridge advanced to the Fourth Round of the Velocity Cup with a convincing 4–1 victory over Stanway Rovers at the Techsoc.com, gaining revenge for their 2–1 defeat back in August. A delayed kick-off—caused by a match official being stuck in traffic—set the tone for a cagey opening, with neither side able to gain early control.

Stanway applied the greater pressure in the early stages, but it was Redbridge who struck first.

Jack Chawner won possession in midfield before feeding Mekael Williams, whose well-weighted pass released Malachi Napa. Napa’s run was halted illegally inside the box, leaving the referee with a straightforward decision to point to the spot.

Napa stepped up and calmly sent Callum Robinson the wrong way to give the Motormen the lead.

Lifted by the breakthrough, Redbridge began to dominate. Napa remained central to their threat, digging out a powerful effort that forced Robinson into an excellent save. The hosts produced some delightful one-touch football, though the killer final ball was missing as the half drew to a close.

Stanway started brightly after the interval with substitute Nat Mardell seeing an early effort blocked before at the other end Karl Kayembe showing great strength to hold off his marker and fire over from range.

The pressure soon told. Picking up the ball inside his own half, Napa drove forward with purpose, ignoring calls from teammates to pass. With only one thing on his mind, he drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, beating the goalkeeper’s outstretched dive to double the advantage.

A golden chance then fell to youngster George Cleveland on his first senior start. He beat Robinson to a loose ball but, with the goal at his mercy, snatched at the finish and sent it wide.

Redbridge continued to pour forward. Fotsing Pitoula-Wabo found space for a shot, but his effort was comfortably gathered. At the other end, Stanway produced a rare foray forward as Harrison Chatting fired over, before a mis-hit clearance from debutant goalkeeper Archie Simmonds gifted a chance to a visiting attacker. Simmonds recovered well to make amends with a crucial save.

The Motormen restored their momentum when Napa completed his hat-trick. A defensive slip presented him with the ball in space and he lashed a superb strike past substitute goalkeeper Josh Blunkell, who could do little about the effort.

With several substitutions for the hosts, some rhythm was lost and Stanway capitalised, pulling one back through George Okoye, who finished from close range to deny Redbridge a clean sheet.

However, the three-goal cushion was soon restored. Napa was involved yet again, his shot proving too hot for Blunkell to handle. The goalkeeper spilled the ball straight into the path of Soumen Nandi, who calmly tucked home the rebound to make it 4–1.

A dominant display from Redbridge—powered by a magnificent Malachi Napa hat-trick—sees them deservedly book their place in the Fourth Round of the Velocity Cup. The Motormen now await the draw to discover their next opponents.

report by Adam Silver