THE final home game of the season for Redbridge ended with a defeat as 9th placed Great Wakering edged a close game, in which the Motormen really should have picked up a point, writes Adam Dennehey.

That’s not a criticism of Dave Ross’s team, but actually a positive as the team by the end of the season would have played the entire second half of their season in a staggering 11 weeks. It’s some achievement that before this defeat, the side had only lost one out of their last nine games at a time when the Motormen needed to pick up form to ensure their Ryman Division One North league status.

Wakering started the game well and stunned Redbridge’s defence by grabbing an early goal. A good ball from Alex Fiddes split the home defence allowing Joe Gardner to run onto the ball and around Dave McCartney in goal. After rounding the keeper, Gardner shot goalwards shooting the ball past Alf Dickinson whose brave effort to block the ball on the line counted for nothing as Gardner’s shot went into the top corner and the visitors were ahead.

Sonny Adams has made a name for himself recently in the Redbridge starting line up by playing on the wing. A good run and pass from Adams created space in the middle finding Leon Diaczuk 30 yards from goal. The club’s top scorer this year played a fine ball out to Matt Gillingham who saw a drive from the edge of the area saved by Louis Goodwin-Green in goal. A good move that deserved more.

Just before half time, the visitors almost made it two. Defender Jack Carlisle played a great ball that found Gardner 35yards from goal. After nicking the ball past Mark Nougher, the forward hit a stunning shot that hit the crossbar. With the ball bouncing back in play, Jimmy Webb headed the ball in, but the goal was wiped out as the midfielder had fouled McCartney in goal in process of getting his head to the ball.

Half time was certainly welcomed by the hosts, as Wakering were well on top of the game and it would give the players some time to get their breath back. Ross and his assistant Scott Cunham would have wanted the team to get of to a good start in the second, but Wakering were having none of it and scored four minutes after the restart.

Jimmy Webb played an average looking ball through on goal, where Dan Trenkel was on hand to profit from some naive defending to dink the ball past McCartney to double the lead. It was a bad goal to concede, but the hosts responded well afterwards.

Dwayne Miller and Bradley Ross (son of manager Dave) were brought on and both made an impression. Ross linked up well with Gillingham and within two minutes had a goalbound shot blocked by a defender.

Steve Good was working hard in midfield and after a neat one two with Bobby Port fed in Miller who played a lovely ball across goal where Wakering’s Carlisle just about cleared the ball ahead of Nougher who would have had a shot on goal.

Around ten minutes from time, a good ball from Good found Nougher who played the ball forward to Miller. With Goodwin-Green rushing out of goal to clear the ball, Miller cleverly chipped the ball past him and the ball looped in the net. The youngster got a knock in the process but got his reward for a good finish.

With time running out, Port saw a 20 yard drive saved by Goodwin-Green as the visitors hung onto the victory. It was a good effort from the Motormen who under Ross’s management have achieved their aim of staying in the division, which they achieved in the end with some fine late season performances.

Report by Adam Dennehey