It was a fantastic result for Kris Taylor’s side and with other results going our way, the win saw us leap up 3 places in the table up to 18th place.

With so much writing on the game, it was vital Redbridge started well and they got the dream start when they took the lead in the ninth minute. Clever play in midfield from Tom Stephen found Hyun-Jin Lee out wide, the Korean put a brilliant ball into the box and Ellis Skidmore cleverly got ahead of his marker before deftly heading home.

It was the striker’s fifth goal for the club in 6 games since joining us from Canvey Island and his second in a matter of days following his strike against Leyton in the London Senior Cup in midweek

Going ahead obviously gave the Motormen confidence and on the half-hour just as they were having another spell on goal, a nasty injury set them back.

On debut for the side left back Charlie Read got hacked down on the halfway line by Forest’s Joe Ellui in a nasty-looking challenge. It looked like a red-card offence but referee Mr Linden to the surprise of the fans in attendance only decided to book the Forest defender.

Taylor decided instead of bringing on a defender to bring on McLeod for Read, which aside from being a match-winning decision was also the right one to make at the time. That’s because Tom Stephen who was playing on the left wing is a regular left-back so unlike in past seasons when a bad injury happens there was already a like-for-like replacement on the pitch.
With Redbridge adjusting, Forest began to look dangerous and on the stroke of half-time won a penalty. A ball into the box was right into the danger area and Anton Agdomar was adjudged to have brought down his marker and a penalty was given. Agdomar upset about the decision was then sent off for foul and abusive language. Forest’s Adam Bolle then stepped up only to fire the spot kick wide of the goal much to the delight of the home support. Even had he got it on target Elliot Justham would have probably saved it anyway as he dived the right way.

With a fiery ending to the first half, Redbridge were just looking to keep it solid at the start of the second. 11 minutes into the half Good play from Skidmore and Lee saw the former pick out McLeod running into the box, despite Forest’s Willis saving his initial effort McLeod showed a touch of class by coolly chipping the ball home from a tight angle to double the Motormen’s lead. It was a goal reminiscent of Frank Lampard’s goal for Chelsea away at the Nou Camp from a similar looking angle.

With the home support still gasping in awe at McLeod’s goal, Forest struck back exactly a minute later. A nice ball into the box by Marquin Smith saw Brian Okwera head home as he timed his run well. It was a blow to the Redbridge and it was a poor goal to give away.

Forest’s comeback was halted just four minutes later when Ellui, lucky to still be on the pitch after his first half shenanigans was given a second booking for a foul on Corey Ellis.

It was a huge blow to the visitors and a big momentum surge for Redbridge who not long after restored their 2 goal lead. A great run by Sonny Adams down the wing caught Forest unaware and the tireless midfielder picked out McLeod perfectly in the box who finished smartly for his second goal of the game.

Redbridge though still had to defend and not give anything away and they were thankful for 2 smart saves by Justham from Ant Gradley and Danny Francis from close range to stop Forest scoring a second.

Four minutes from time, McLeod scored his hat trick with a nonchalant volley from fully 25 yards out after latching onto a Ellis Skidmore flick-on. Controlling the ball on his chest he clinically shot the ball over the stranded Willis in goal to score his first treble for the club. It could have been 5-1 moments later but Stephen unluckily saw his rasping shot go wide of the far post.

Overall it was a great win for the Motormen and one which shows that Taylor and his coaching staff’s work in training over the last month or so is really beginning to come off. A fine win indeed.

Redbridge: Justham, Ellis, Read (McLeod), Britnell (Hurlock), Fletcher, Golby, Adams, Lee, Agdomar, Skidmore (Edwards), Stephen

I caught up with Manager Kris Taylor after the game and found out his take on our second league win of the season as well as Kevin McLeod's hatrick. To download and hear the interview go to http://www.mediafire.com/?11f77j09lbgkf2y.