Points Shared at Brentwood

The Motormen made the short journey down the A12 to face Brentwood Town in what was their first midweek league fixture of the season.

The home side made the early running without really testing Connor Wheatley in goal, Flynn Hamilton tried a curling effort which drifted well wide.

On 14 minutes Redbridge came forward winning themselves a free kick just inside their own half, Joe Elliott whipped in a low ball which found the head of James Barlow who got in front of his marker with a fierce header beating the dive of Melvin Minter to put his side ahead.

A set back for Brentwood who had started the match in positive fashion.

Redbridge were then forced into an early change, Ronnie Winn having to leave the field with a shoulder injury as he was replaced by Reuben Campbell.

A goal to the good it was now the away side who were pulling the strings and looking the more lively of the two , good work by Solomon Ogunwomoju down the left round the overlapping run of Jack Chawner who saw his powerful drive spilled by Minter and Barlow was just inches away from connecting with the follow up.

Further efforts followed for Redbridge, Campbell tried a lobbed effort before Barlow had a couple of good opportunities as the skipper was making a real nuisance of himself playing as the lone striker.

At the other end Elliott was then forced to make an importantly timed tackle just taking the ball away from the toes of the lively Sam Deering who was about to let fly.

Back at the other end this time Barlow almost turned provider as he showed good strength to get down the flank before crossing into the middle searching for Campbell who flicked the ball goal wards but Minter was equal to it and got down to make the save.

With half time approaching Brentwood got themselves back level , a ball was played into the middle finding Kingdom Dawson in space and he was able to fire in a low effort into the corner beating the dive of Wheatley.

Into the second period and with their tails up the home side quickly went on the attack, Deering playing a ball into the middle where Jack Adlington fired over when really should have tested the keeper.

At the other end Barlow once again did well , he picked the ball up with his back to goal before turning a defender and getting a shot in which narrowly went wide of Minter’s far post.

Redbridge were shortly then forced into their second change of the evening this time Wheatley in goal taking a knock, he was replaced by substitute keeper George Martin who came on for his first taste of Isthmian football this season.

A big chance followed for Brentwood, a ball over the top was brought down by Deering who quickly flashed a shot just wide of the far post with Martin stranded.

It was now an open game with both sides looking for the winning goal, a good burst of pace from Ogunwomoju saw him carry the ball up field but his final effort was to let him dragging his shot well wide.

The final 10 minutes of the game saw the home side throw everything at Redbridge as they forced a series of corners however resilient defending from the away side saw them hold out and they even had a chance to grab a winner at the death.

On the counter Kobe Yeboah found the run of substitute Soumen Nandi and he looked to cut inside from the left before unleashing a curling effort which we have seen nestle into the far corner on previous occasions however this time it was not meant to be and flew wide.

Full time was then called on proceedings with a point shared which overall seemed a fair result on the night.

report by Adam Silver