A hard-fought derby saw the points shared at the Oakside which was probably the fair result on the night. It was Redbridge’s third 1-1 draw in a row which ensured that the Motormen kept their 7-point gap advantage over the Foxes in the league table, which Jody Brown would not have wanted to have been reduced.

Ilford started the game the brighter with their midfield looking sharper. Derek Hawtin and Clydie Roberts were making an impression and the two combined to help put the Foxes in the lead.

A good ball by Roberts into the box picked out Ilford’s target man Adam Bolle who deftly headed it into Nathaniel Gordon who drilled the ball past Elliott Justham. It was a good finish from Gordon who was making his debut for Ilford since joining from Tilbury.

That goal seemed to wake Redbridge up. On the half-hour mark though, they began to click into gears though. An equaliser was almost found when left back Tom Stephen got forward well and struck a powerful shot from around 30 yards only narrowly wide of the goal.

Kyle Fraser-Allen and Craig Arnott, recent Redbridge singings were both making a strong impression up top for Redbridge. Fraser-Allen who impressed against Tilbury last month was beginning to look dangerous down his wing whilst Arnott signed on loan from Colchester United was battling hard up front. A good ball from Arnott fed in Fraser-Allen into the box, but with the angle tightening the youngster could only drag his shot wide.

After that good play from Arnott won a freekick on the edge of the box. Kevin McLeod stepped up to take it and seemed to have placed the ball in the top corner of the goal, only to see the ball bend wide right at the last moment.

Elliott Justham on a high after having a good match away to Harlow Town, prevented Gordon from scoring his second on the night with a smart save on the stroke of half time, after Hawtin’s cross was prodded goalwards by Bolle.

Just before half time, Redbridge almost equalised but Hyun-Jin Lee couldn't quite get his head onto a McLeod freekick. It would have been a great end to the half for the Motormen which would have really infuriated Ilford’s boss Colin Walton.

After half time, Redbridge came out brighter and they almost found an equaliser when McLeod’s hard work in the centre of the park found Jonathan Glowacki who shot over from the edge of the box.

Just after the hour-mark, Redbridge equalised. A freekick won out wide near the East Stand, was directed perfectly into the box by McLeod for Sean Crossley to head home and score his second goal of the fortnight. It was a well-timed header from the popular centre back who looks to be ‘heading’ into form so to speak.

Both sides pushed for a winner in an attempt to gain the three points. Redbridge had the best of their chances available but agonisingly Nathan Fletcher couldn’t quite make contact with a beautifully played freekick into the box by McLeod.

Overall it was a good performance by Redbridge which earned them another point, but they are still unbeaten against Ilford since Colin Walton has
taken over the Cricklefields club – which is something the boys will want to improve on.

Redbridge: Elliott Justham, Glen Golby, Tom Stephen, Jonathan Glowacki, Sean Crossley, Nathan Fletcher, Kevin Coyle (Shane Stamp 65), Hyun-Jin Lee, Kyle Fraser-Allen (Julian Edwards 85), Craig Arnott (Alexander O'Leary 85), Kevin McLeod.