Redbridge Defeated by League Leaders

Redbridge returned to the Oakside after five successive away matches as they hosted 2nd placed Lowestoft Town, the Trawler Boys were in superb form having suffered just the one league defeat so far this season and arrive fresh from a 6-0 thrashing of Heybridge Swifts at the weekend.

From the first real chance of the game the away side took the lead after just four minutes on the clock as the ball was swung over from the right finding Jake Reed who got up early to head past a stranded Connor Wheatley in goal.

Lowestoft were then forced into an early substitution as the injured Dylan Ruffles was replaced by Dan White.

A big chance then followed for Redbridge, Jack Chawner played a lovely ball down the left flank finding the run of James Barlow who passed into the middle finding Solomon Ogunwomuju and he took his shot first time which rebounded back off the post and away to safety.

In all honesty he really should have scored and had more time available to him than he probably at first realised.

Lowestoft then went back on the attack and came ever so close to a second, Adam Hipperson was in on goal however rather than going for the shot he squared into the path of Kyle Haylock who seemed certain to score but his shot was blocked on the line by Henry Day who did well to get back and clear.

It was 2 nil soon after in rather fortuitous circumstances, Harvey Sayer crashed a shot against the post and it came back straight into the path of Haylock who quickly adjusted his body to then loop a header back towards goal and fall into the empty net.

A good through ball was then played behind the Redbridge defence looking for Hipperson but Wheatley read the situation well quickly racing out his goal to clear the danger and in turn setting off Ogunwomoju towards goal at the other end however as he attempted to beat a defender he ended up losing possession and the chance went begging.

Barlow then had an opportunity to score as Luke Holt was slightly out of his goal but he stood firm and was able to make the save as the shot was fired straight at him,

Lowestoft had the final effort of the half as Dean Hall had the ball stolen off him in a dangerous area but his blushes were spared as Haylock fired his effort wide of the upright.

Two half time changes for the home side as they looked to get back into the game, Abs Thompson and Jerold Cobblah replacing Hall and Ogunwomoju.

It had no real impact early on as Lowestoft forced a series of corners and from one of those they went further ahead. Wheatley was unfortunately at fault this time as he came to collect a simple ball but in doing so dropped it right at the feet of Haylock who made no mistake tapping home from close range.

Redbridge to their credit continued to try and play football not letting their heads drop regardless of the score line and their efforts were eventually rewarded when from a Joe Elliott free kick Barlow flicked on the ball into the path of Cobblah who struck the ball first time past the outstretched dive of Holt and into the far corner.

Wheatley at the other end had to be alert on two occasions as he at first palmed away a fierce drive before scampering back across to catch a headed effort from Haylock who was looking for his hat-trick.

With time running out for Redbridge Lowestoft killed the game off taking advantage of a poor clearance as the ball was nicely set into the path of Sayer who finished a good move passing the ball into the back of the net to make it four.

There was still time for Redbridge to pull another goal back, Cobblah winning a free kick on the left which was taken by Thompson who found Elliott at the far post and he headed past Holt.

There was little time left for any more goals , the closest coming from the home side as a similar situation to the goal just scored this time saw Bradley Bennett connect with the ball but could only head wide.

The final whistle then blew, a result for Lowestoft which sends them to the top of the table.

report by Adam Silver