The Motormen made the long midweek journey to Suffolk to face Felixstowe & Walton United in the Isthmian North Play Off Semi Final, knowing they were up against an inform side unbeaten in their last 10 matches and having not conceded in their previous four.

The Seasiders had narrowly missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference to champions Maldon & Tiptree and finished a remarkable 26 points ahead of Redbridge, who only secured fifth place with a last gasp winner at the weekend. The omens appeared firmly in favour of the hosts, whose recent home record against Redbridge read played three, won three, conceded none.

On a chilly evening with a stiff North Sea wind swirling around the ground, Felixstowe started on the front foot. Goalkeeper Jake Anderson was called into action early, safely gathering a shot from Jacob Lay.

However it was Redbridge who struck first with their opening attack leading to a corner, it was swung in from Pedro Carvalho with pace and met by the powerful header of defender Kai Thomas Fraser, who thumped the ball past Harry Wright to stun the home crowd.

Within minutes it could – and perhaps should – have been two. Jack Chawner delivered an inviting free kick into the penalty area, finding Charles Brown Bampoe, whose header was expertly clawed away by Wright at full stretch.

Felixstowe gradually grew back into the contest and came close to an equaliser when a fierce effort crashed against the crossbar. Sustained pressure followed, with the hosts dominating possession and winning a succession of corners, but their finishing let them down as shots either sailed high or drifted wide.

Redbridge saw very little of the ball in the final third for the remainder of the half, Louie Remi trying his luck from distance but lacking the power to trouble Wright.

The second half began much like the first ended, with Felixstowe pushing forward. William Jones tested Anderson with a low drive, but the goalkeeper was equal to it.

Then came the sucker punch. Brown Bampoe chased what appeared to be a lost cause and harried the defender into a mistake, nicking possession before deftly lifting the ball over the onrushing Wright to double Redbridge’s advantage.

Moments later, the away following were in dreamland as two became three. Carvalho broke free down the left and picked out Brown Bampoe, who initially appeared to take a heavy touch but still managed to unleash a superb strike into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations.

Felixstowe responded immediately, Sam Ford finishing smartly from close range in a crowded penalty area to give the hosts renewed hope.

That goal galvanised the Seasiders, who threw men forward in search of a way back into the tie. Henry Day headed wide from a free kick before Chawner saw a long range effort flash just past the post.

Nine minutes of added time were indicated, largely due to an injury to Thomas Fraser, who was forced to leave the field. Almost immediately, the deficit was cut to one as substitute Zak Brown fired a fine strike into the bottom corner.

A nervy finale followed, but Redbridge stood firm, seeing out the remaining minutes to book their place in Saturday’s final, where they will face Stanway Rovers, who overcame Waltham Abbey in the other semi final.

report by Adam Silver