Redbridge made the short journey to Woodford Town for a Friday night local derby under the lights knowing a point would take them to the summit of the ESL.

The first chance fell their way when a loose ball dropped to Samraj Gill who turned and shot although the ball was always rising, the home side then came forward needing George Martin in goal to turn the ball behind for corner.

With just nine minutes on the clock the opening goal arrived, from a Redbridge attack Woodford quickly countered when a ball over the top found the run of Luke Parrott who beat a defender to the ball and seeing Martin off his line lobbed the ball superbly over him into the back of the net.

Tony Martin almost found went himself in on goal but the ball was hacked to safety by a Woodford defender, lighting then struck twice for the home side as from a Redbridge throw they won the ball which was cleared up field to Zivonimir Lopez who saw his shot well saved by Martin before Ridwan Hussein found himself on hand to put away the rebound and double his side’s lead.

Redbridge almost pulled responded immediately when Martin went close as his shot flashed past the far post whilst Woodford went close to a third as Martin raced out of goal only to see Parrott beat him to the ball and race past him however he managed to recover in time and win the ball back.

The away side did then pull a goal back, from a long Joe Elliott throw the ball was knocked down into the path of Solomon Ogunwomoju who made no mistake from close range to half the arrears.

Woodford then went close to restoring their two goal lead, Lopes pace got himself in front of the Redbridge back line only to see his shot well saved by Martin before the loose ball fell into the path of Parrott who saw his shot saved off the line by defender Jack Roult.

Redbridge then came forward searching for the equaliser, Ogunwomoju saw his free kick go just wide before Martin headed wide whilst at the other end Woodford came close to scoring after Redbridge failed to clear the ball from their own penalty box which resulted in some desperate defending as the half time whistle sounded.

The second period began with a mix up between ex Redbridge keeper Michael Corderoy and a Woodford defender allowing substitute Reuben Campbell to take it past him down the wing but his pull back failed to find a red shirt.

The second half was lacking the same intensity as the first with little in way of goalmouth action and although Redridge were seeing more of the ball they were unable to create any clear cut opportunity.

From a corner they almost found themselves level when a header bounced against the bar before dropping down and cleared to safety.

Woodford then had their first attack of the half when a quick break saw the ball squared into towards the middle however the player in question took a touch before shooting first time and in doing so allowed Martin to rush out his goal and make a good stop.

A penalty was then awarded after a foul in the box, up stepped Clyde Semazzi who saw his penalty saved only for him to be alert enough to put away the rebound via a post.

With time against them Redbridge continued to pile forward , through a crowded box Martin managed to get a shot in but it was straight down the throat of Corderoy.

They then won a free-kick just outside the box, up stepped sub Loui Hazlewood who saw his low driving effort beat the dive of Corderoy who managed to get a touch but was beaten by the power of the strike, a nervy 5 minutes lay ahead for the home side.

Backs to the wall in the final minutes for Woodford Town as they then proceeded to concede another free kick in a dangerous position, Hazlewood once again stepped over the ball however this time his effort flew just over.

There was almost time for Woodford to put the game to bed as Martin almost had his heart in his mouth as he came and missed a cross which almost dropped into the goal before they allowed the away side one more chance in way of yet another free-kick after a foul was given in a crowded area.

Once again Redbridge free kick expert Hazlewood stepped up but his attempt hit the wall before being scrambled clear to safety and that proved to be the final action of the evening.

Redbridge pushed hard for the leveler but were ultimately beaten by two quick fire first half goals and see their unbeaten league run come to an end.

report by Adam Silver