It was a match that in fairness Redbridge had the chances to win and was as first team coach Jody Brown stated ‘a typical Ryman League game’ in which the side that took the most out of their chances would ultimately take the three points.

The game started at a frenetic pace with some early challenges going in, which kept the referee Ben Furneaux and his linesman alert early on. After good defending by both sides, Redbridge had the first chance of the game when Billy Hunt was fouled 25 yards from goal.

Dan Trenkel looks dangerous from set-pieces, and but for a tremendous save low down by Romford’s keeper Lamar Joseph-Johnson would have put Redbridge ahead from a powerful low freekick after 20 minutes.

Korean midfielder Hyun-Jin Lee who spent the second half of last season with Redbridge was playing for Romford and he seemed intent on scoring against his former club. After a hotly disputed freekick, he shot over James May’s bar before shortly after firing over from 30 yards following good play by Joe Oates.

May had a close shave moments later when an inswinging freekick by Paul Kavanagh out wide on the left almost crept into the the far-post. That moment seemed to wake Redbridge up and after Dan Trenkel fired a shot wide from a tight angle, Durrant saw a wonderful shot from 30 yards tipped wide by Joseph-Johnson.

That save proved crucial as on their next attack the hosts took the lead. Not alot looked on when Kurt Smith picked up the ball 35 yards out, but he was able to skip past the Motormen’s skipper Glen Golby before firing a low swerving shot past May from fully 25 yards out.
Romford could have doubled their lead exactly a minute later but thankfully Jahmel Hayward fired narrowly wide when put through by Lee.

Incredibly, Redbridge almost got an equaliser in the final minute of the half, but Billy Hunt saw an goal-bound effort deflected wide before Golby from the resulting corner headed a half-chance straight at Joseph-Johnson.

HT Romford 1 Redbridge 0

Clearly with strong words by Spillane and his coaching staff in their ears, it was no suprise that Redbridge started the second half the better. A long ball into the area by Tommy Spillane found Ben Bradbury in the area. It looked like the talented winger only had to control the ball before finishing with ease.

However the winger took an extra touch when he should have shot allowing Joesph-Johnson time to block his effort and frustratingly Bradbury’s shot on the rebound was blocked by Paul Clayton and the chance was gone.

Midway through the half, Tommy Spillane clashed with Hayward by the by-line and despite both players getting involved in a needless clash of headbutts, the referee sensibly decided to book the pair. Romford’s manager Paul Martin immediately took off Hayward whilst Spillane was kept on by his dad, who no doubt wouldn’t have been pleased by his actions.

Shane Stamp and Nathan Gordon were brought on for Durrant and Nougher and both began causing the hosts problems and with Redbridge pushing forward, gaps began to open for the visitors. Chuck Duru who previously had a short spell at the Motormen wasted a chance when firing over inside he box when a pass in the middle would have been the better option.

Talented forward Mitchell Das was brought on for Jonathan Wheatstone as Spillane made one last throw of the dice. Das looked neat and tidy in his approach and sent in a nice ball for fellow sub Gordon but the forward’s shot was blocked.

Down at the other end Lee almost wrapped the game up with 5 minutes left but saw a powerful shot from just outside the area hit the top of the bar. Redbridge could have made their former player feel even more frustrated about that moment of misfortune but Hunt could only fire straight at Joseph-Johnson after being put through beautifully by Trenkel as the hosts held on.

Redbridge: James May, Billy Sendall, Tommy Spillane, Jonathan Wheatstone (Mitchell Das), Glen Golby, Mark Nougher (Nathan Gordon), Ben Bradbury, Lewis Dark, Dan Trenkel, Billy Hunt, Vinnie Durrant (Shane Stamp).

After the game I caught up with our first team coach Jody Brown and got his thoughts on our defeat To hear the interview in full go to http://www.mediafire.com/?w74wzolanca6744 and download the interview.