Wroxham hadn’t won a league game since a 2-0 success against Redbridge at the Oakside back in October. Since then Redbridge have also been in league freefall that had seen them drop to the foot of the table as they took to the field at Trafford Park. It’s tight at the bottom so both teams needed to go for a win.

Wroxham went on the attack straight from the first whistle and Timi Dorgu was called on fairly early to clear away a dangerous cross from the right that was floated in by Jack Garrod. Seamus Kelleher was also able to fire off a shot that tested Callum Chalfer. Ore Odutola, who made his first team debut in midweek in the win at Wingate & Finchley, had little time to dwell on that as he had to play his part in a defensive line-up that included Stephen Good and Charlie Parrish. The bright attacking start made by Wroxham was matched by the defensive work of the Redbridge backline.

Paulius Ditkevicius was always looking to play balls into Wroxham’s danger zones but it wasn’t until the 18 minute that Redbridge were able to carve out a chance. Charlie Parrish started the move, winning a tackle and then running with the ball into the midfield area where he passed to Joe Gent. Gent spun past a couple of Wroxham players before laying a pass off to Charlie Portway who quickly moved the ball into the path of Billy Drake whose final shot was only just wide of the target. It was a fine piece of attacking football. Barely a minute later Redbridge took the lead when Reside Coxi Sebastfao chipped the Wroxham keeper with a shot from outside the box that sailed into the top right hand corner of the net.

Wroxham equalised in the 24th minute after Joshua Gray floated a ball onto Nathan Stone who pulled of a shimmy before poking the ball past Chafer’s right hand into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

That equalising started a spell of Wroxham pressure that Redbridge stood up to. Dorgu had to turn away a skilful flick from Stone on 31 minutes. Odutola halted Garrod with a firm challenge and clearance on 34 minutes while Stephen Taylor found the Redbridge defence in top form on 36 minutes when he twice fired towards the Redbridge goal but found Good and Parrish blocking his shot on each occasion. Redbridge’s final attack of the half saw another piece of fast passing football that saw Gent and Ditkevicius pass the ball between them which carved up the Wroxham defence but sadly Ditkevicius final shot was well wide of the target. Good then had to head away a dangerous looking cross right on the stroke of half time. It had been an entertaining first half and Redbridge’s performance in that opening session had shown a solid defence and some fast attacking play that belied their lowly status as they had played with passion, skill and commitment to the cause.

Sebastfao won a corner in the 47th minute as Redbridge opened the second half with a flurry. Wroxham were finding some of the Motermen’s runs a bit too difficult to handle and they won a free kick in the 58th minute after Berkcan Belindir was bundled over by the left touchline. Ditkevicius sent over a ball that Portway headed towards goal and was helped along the way by the fumbling hands of Elliot Pride. Portway nearly scored again a minute later when another header went towards goal but this time Pride pulled off a great save to make some amends for his earlier mistake. Redbridge certainly had the bit between their teeth and went close again when Gent played in Portway but his shot was blocked by David Hinton.

Wroxham equalised in the 64th minute after Jackson Ramm picked out Jamie Forshaw with a deft cross that Forshaw headed into the net. A minute later Ramm again inflicted damage as he sent in another accurate cross from the right that Jack Garrod slammed past Chalfer to give Wroxham the lead.

Redbridge however didn’t lie down and almost equalised in their next attack when some sloppy work in the Wroxham defence saw Drake jump on the ball first but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Gent also tried a shot from outside the box that was only inches too high.

Garrod and Ramm both had shots whistle past the Redbridge goal and Good had to block a Stone effort in the 83rd minute. A minute later and Good almost equalised when he let off a goal ward header that Pride had to tip away.

Redbridge equalised in the 89th minute when Rigers Kabashi crossed into the box which found Portway whose shot was blocked by Pride but the onrushing Sebastfao knocked in the rebound. The game then was turned on its head a minute later when Portway latched onto a through ball and lobbed the on rushing keeper to secure all 3 points in the most dramatic fashion.

report by Scott Lanza