The Motormen returned to league action as they hosted Witham Town FC following their midweek defeat to Wingate & Finchley FC in the Velocity Cup semi-final. Despite taking the lead, the hosts were ultimately undone as Witham struck three times to claim the points.

The early exchanges saw Redbridge probing without creating clear openings. An early effort from distance lacked power and was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Samuel Nwabuko, while play down the right flank resulted in a dangerous cross from Joseph Johnson that was well cleared.

Witham earned the first corner of the match as the visitors began to ask questions of the home defence. A good challenge denied Ben Allen, while Witham continued to grow into the contest.

Redbridge were forced into an early change when Emmanuel Kwatchey was forced off through injury, with Henry Day making his first appearance since suffering a horrific injury against Felixstowe & Walton United FC.

Chances remained limited, although a Witham free-kick from Isaac Skubich was whipped into the box before being headed clear.

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute. A misplaced Witham pass gifted possession to Redbridge, who broke quickly. The resulting cross found Carvalho, who calmly placed his finish into the bottom corner beyond the dive of goalkeeper Harry Fairs.

Redbridge took their lead into half-time in what had been a half largely devoid of clear chances.

Witham responded at the break with a triple substitution and quickly began to push forward. A free-kick was headed over before Redbridge created their best opportunity of the half when Johnson delivered a cross that Jack Chawner met on the half-volley, forcing a strong save.

The visitors equalised shortly after from a corner. The ball was swung in, headed back across goal and flicked home by substitute Tom Stagg.

Redbridge looked to respond and produced a neat passage of play that ended with Joseph cutting the ball back for substitute Ryan, whose effort drifted wide. Elliott Sartorius later tested the keeper with a header as the home side searched for a winner.

Witham, however, struck again. Bellamy stayed onside to collect the ball, drove forward to face Day and fired across Nwabuko to put the visitors ahead.

Pushing forward in search of an equaliser left Redbridge exposed at the back, and Witham sealed the result late on. A header from Kai Thomas Fraser fell kindly to fellow substitute Ernest Okoh, who raced forward, cut inside and finished past Nwabuko to put the result beyond doubt.

Report by Adam Silver