Despite being narrowly defeated by Ryman North League leaders Grays Athletic in their last game, the Motormen felt confident of defeating Bury after beating the Suffolk side’s fellow Ryman Premier club Wingate & Finchley 3-0 in the previous round.

After a lively start to the game, Redbridge won a penalty. A long ball from the back by Tommy Spillane picked out Ryan Murray who made his way into the box. The powerful forward timed his run into the box well and as he attempted to nick the ball past Bury’s captain Roscoe Hipperson, the ball bounced up and struck the defender’s arm. The handball was seen by the linesman on the far-side who flagged for a spot-kick straight away.

Bradbury showed no nerves with the penalty sending Marcus Garnham the wrong way to score his fifth goal of the season and third from the spot. Ironically the penalty was the third Redbridge’s no.7 had scored this season in the competition following earlier strikes from the spot against Cockfosters (in the preliminary round) and Wingate (in the previous round).

Bury’s star player was Roy Essandoah and after heading a Lee Reed well over the bar, the striker who famously scored for Wycombe Wanderers against Leicester City at Filbert Street in 2001 (after joining Laurie Sanchez’s side after his agent saw a advertisement on Ceefax) should have done better with a lobbed effort that just went over Adam Rafis’ bar after a good break from Kieran Leabon.

Redbridge though were looking dangerous and James Robinson twice went close to doubling the lead shooting over after a cross from the right before forcing a smart save from Garnham following good play by Dan Trenkel and Lewis Dark in midfield.

Bury though despite good spells of possession on the ball were failing really to muster any clear-cut chances thanks to the resolute defending from Redbridge which they were unable to break down. Rafis in goal was looking comfortable and dealt with efforts by Lee Reed and Leabon with ease before being well placed to save an effort from Daniel Cunningham that sailed wide of the keeper’s upright.

HT Redbridge 1 Bury Town 0

Redbridge started the second half well with Ryan Murray firing an effort wide. The visitors backed by their noisy supporters then upped their performance but good balls into the area were dealt with by Redbridge’s centrebacks Glen Golby and Billy Sendall who in turn with the rest of the team were looking steady and solid and willing to put their bodies on the line for the good of the side.

Midway through the half Bury saw their best chance of an equaliser
exterminated when Rafis reacted brilliantly to a Leabon header from a Steven Smith inside the area, pushing the pacey midfielder’s goal-bound header out of the box to the delight of the home support who were now beginning to really believe that the Motormen could go through.

Redbridge inspired by Golby and Sendall at the back pressed on and despite not creating any clear cut chances in the second half put Bury’s defence and keeper Garnham under intense pressure from the now customary long throw-ins by Sendall which are awkward and hard for any side to deal with.

The last chance of the game fell to Bury but a long clearance up-field by keeper Garnham wasn’t capitalized by Lee Smith inside the area, as the midfielder could only shoot straight at the Rafis who comfortably dealt with the shot.

Moments later the full-time whistle sounded much to the delight of Terry Spillane, his coaching team and the home supporters who all celebrated the Motormen’s first home win of the season which meant that they now stand remarkably only two wins away in the FA Cup from playing a Football League side, which is a dream that everyone at the club wants to see come true.

Redbridge: Adam Rafis, Aarun Best, Billy Sendall, Glen Golby, Tommy Spillane, Dan Trenkel, Ben Bradbury, Lewis Dark, Ryan Murray (Danny Hopkins 79), James Robinson (Joe Gardner 90), Nathan Gordon.

Clickhere for the post match interview with our manager Terry Spillane.