Redbridge Denied Comeback

The Motormen hosted Bowers & Pitsea who had only lost once this calendar year which came at the weekend against league leaders Lowestoft Town.

Louis Johnson was involved in the first attack of the game for the home side but a good defensive block denied him.
Bowers & Pitsea then came forward and had a shooting opportunity through defender Lewis Chambers which went well over.
The opening goal arrived after just 9 minutes when Redbridge failed to clear the ball in a wide position and play was quickly turned around as Bowers won back possession finding Luke Reeve in space and he looked up before unleashing a curling effort which found the back of the net beating the diving Connor Wheatley.

After 14 minutes it was 2-0 as again poor defending saw the ball find its way through a crowded penalty box allowing Solomon Addy to fire home from close range and double his side’s advantage.

Things quickly went from bad to worse as two became three, Joe Elliott slipped allowing Benas Vaivada to run clear through on goal although he still had to keep his composure taking the ball round the outcoming Wheatley and although he almost fell under the challenge was able to keep his balance and fire the ball into an empty net.

The home side were shell shocked by the quick goals they had conceded and were up against it from such as early stage of the game.
They knew that to stand any chance of getting back in the game it would be vital they scored next and that they duly did, a corner swung in to find the head of Elliott who powerfully headed home unchallenged.

Bowers then had the chance to further extend their lead when awarded a free kick in a good central position just outside the box however Matt Price fluffed his lines firing over the bar and out the ground.

Redbridge then went on the attack with the lively Soumen Nandi winning his side a free-kick , it was swung in to the far post by Louis Johnson before being headed back towards goal over the stretching arm of keeper David Hughes only for Oscar Shelvey-Negus to just unable to nod the ball back into the net, an inch or two taller and it could have been a different story.

Jack Chawner then volleyed wide as Redbridge were showing a good response since getting their goal as the half time whistle shortly blew.
The first chance of the second period saw Shelvey-Negus play in Ayo Odukoya but the striker made the wrong decision choosing to shoot early but only succeeded in blasting over.

A free kick from Bowers was whipped in by Vaivada almost taking a touch into the far corner but a relieved Wheatley held firm.
Nandi then got down the flank beating a defender however chose to go alone rather than square for a teammate and his speculative effort flew wide.

Again Nandi was involved as he was in most of his side’s good work this evening, his pace took him clear of a defender before he drove a cross searching for Odukoya who got to the ball first but unable to keep his shot the right side of the upright.

Another free kick in a good position offered Redbridge yet another opportunity and although it was some distance out up stepped Elliott who before Hughes in goal had even seen the ball it had already beaten him purely by the power behind it.

A superb double for the young defender and the home side now had their tails up believing there was a way back in this game which seemed unthinkable after the first quarter of the game.

The away side still looked dangerous themselves coming forward and Williamson was not far away as he turned and shot just wide.

With five minutes of added time signalled the home side were pushing forward in search of the equaliser and premature celebrations were ended when skipper Lewis Clark turned the ball home only for an offside flag to be raised.

With that the chance had gone and Bowers held on to secure the 3 points as Redbridge were made to pay for their costly start to the match.

report by Adam Silver