Waltham Abbey secured their first win of the season on Saturday after a lacklustre performance from visitors Redbridge at the Capershotts.

With Waltham Abbey dictating a lot of the early play, it took the away-side 16 minutes to create a real opportunity. Julian Edwards blazed over the bar from 20 yards after the ball bounced kindly to the Redbridge striker.

Redbridge seemed to be finding their stride, and midfielder Julian Ashby had two great opportunities in the space of 3 minutes to put his side in front. But on both the 22nd and 25th minute, the midfielder saw both efforts fall agonisingly past the Waltham Abbey post.

Waltham Abbey could have taken the lead on 33 minutes after a good flick-on by Kieran Ogunkoya set up striker Ellis Skidmore who saw his half-volleyed effort sail over the bar.

The half’s best opportunity of the game fell to Redbridge on the 40th minute. Kevin McLeod showed great skill and determination to beat the Waltham Abbey defence and curl a left-footed shot towards goal from the edge of the box. The midfielder- previously of Everton, QPR, Swansea and Colchester- showed real class, and was very unlucky to see his effort bounce off of the inside of Waltham Abbey ‘keeper Harry Ricketts’ right post.

With the second-half underway, Waltham Abbey capitalised on a good spell of possession, and took the lead on 58 minutes. Kieran Ogunkoya forced a save from Redbridge ‘keeper David McCartney after finding himself through on goal. The ball was parried back to the striker who was able to keep a cool-head, converting calmly past the ‘keeper.

The home-side was unlucky to not be even further ahead 5 minutes later after David McCartney expertly tipped over a Steve Cawley effort from just outside the box. Kieran Ogunkoya almost grabbed his second of the game from the resulting corner, but headed just over the bar.

Waltham Abbey’s Steve Cawley was again unlucky not to put the home-side two-goals ahead on 64 minutes. After doing well to turn Redbridge defender Tom Stephen, the midfielder saw a left-footed effort from 20 yards sail just over the bar.

Waltham Abbey’s goalkeeper Harry Ricketts was able to keep his side’s lead intact with a number of great saves as the half progressed. Rickets did well to take the ball out of second-half substitute Alex Read’s feet on 73 minutes, after the Redbridge striker found himself through on goal.

Rickett’s was called into action 4 minutes later, and again prevented Read from drawing Redbridge level with a great save low down. After Read’s left-footed strike was kept out, the ball was parried to striker Leon Diaczuk who could not find the net with his effort.

Redbridge’s Sony Adam’s had arguably the away-sides best opportunity of the half with 5 minutes left of the game, but failed to hit the target- blazing a shot over the bar from just inside the box.

Despite short-spells of good play, Redbridge were definitely second-best in this game. Waltham Abbey were unlucky not to win by more than one goal, and Redbridge managers Dave Ross and Kris Taylor will feel aggrieved that their side were unable to secure their first win of the season .

Redbridge: McCartney, Wilson, Stephen, Good, Crossley, Peddie, Adams, McCleod, Agdomar, Edwards, Ashby

Report courtesy of Time FM's Jack Baxter.