In a fiery game at the Oakside, the points were shared between Redbridge and Leyton in a game that ensured the Motormen’s survival in the Ryman Division 1 North for next season. The draw meant that Leyton would join Harlow Town in being relegated from the division, providing a second team is to be relegated.

The game started like a house on fire, with one of the most surprising goals seen at the Oakside all season. After Leyton won a indirect freekick some 35 yards from goal, Adriano De Moraes played a one two with Jan Sknoiezki before shooting an unstoppable shot at some speed goalwards. Dave McCartney in goal stood no chance as the ball was too powerful to stop, as it went into the back of the net after going in off the post.

Despite that early setback, Redbridge responded well. After Leon Diaczuk had a freekick saved by Elliot Justham in goal, Redbridge scored from the resulting corner when Alife Dickinson powered a fine header home. The tall defender’s second goal for the club and an important one at that.

As half time sounded, both teams knew that they were in an evenly matched game. Redbridge after good draws against Enfield and Romford would have wanted a good start to the second half to build pressure to take the lead.

Football alike most things in life is never straight forward and within six minutes of the restart, the visitors were back in front. A good run from Jamie Hampshire for some reason wasn’t stopped by the Redbridge defence and after running approximately 15 yards with the ball, Hampshire looked up and powered a stunning curling shot goalwards. Again McCartney in goal was not at fault as the shot had too much power and bend, meaning the visitors were in front a second time.

After that setback, Redbridge started to play good football. Up front Anton Agdomar was working his socks off and was showing some unbelievable touches of skill. Around the hour mark, he was able to hold of three Leyton defenders before slipping the ball through to Diaczuk whose run was wrong called offside by the linesman on the farside.

Good play from Agdomar helped get the Motormen back on terms for a second time eighteen minutes from time. Collecting a Donovan Wilson pass, the striker fed the ball to Sonny Adams who whipped in a brilliant ball into the box, which was going straight into Bobby Port’s path for a tap in. The ball didn’t reach Port as a Leyton player in an attempt to block it, handled the ball and a penalty was given by the referee. Confidently Diaczuk stepped up and put the ball beyond Justham in goal for his 13th goal of the season.

Sadly the game ended under a fiery moment when during the fourth minute of injury time, a foul by the corner flag led to a scuffle breaking out amongst all the players which resulted in Sonny Adams being sent off for the Motormen along with two Leyton players.

Report by Adam Dennehey