On a real dreary day in Southend, the Motormen sought to liven up their league campaign after defeat last weekend as they took on Southend Manor. For the hosts, Connor Pearce was the man in goal with a defence of Kye Jude, Grant Webb, skipper Lewis Sparrow and Ore Mosuro just in front of him. For Ricky Eaton’s side, their much-changed side from last term fielded a front three of Calvin Poku, Michael Ogboin and Asher Modeste with ex-Manor centre-back Vinny Murphy carrying the armband.

The hosts started the game brightly though Redbridge won’t be happy with how it came about. From a corner conceded directly from a nervy clearing header, more hesitant defending allowed forward Nathan Dewberry to fire in a deflected strike past visiting stopper Lewis Greene after just four minutes. Manor winger Mo Kargbo could’ve doubled that lead four minutes afterwards as he found himself all alone in the box though contrived to skew his effort wide of the post. Robbie Norris’ drive from range also drew Greene into action though the Motormen goalkeeper did well to palm his effort away from danger.

The visitors had their first sight of goal on 12 minutes as Michael Ogboin laid the ball off to fellow recent recruit Asher Modeste who fired over the crossbar. To be fair to the hosts, their attacks were more concise and quicker, taking advantage of the aerial prowess of box-to-box midfielder Lee Delf, who as ever was a handful in both penalty areas. Modeste was growing into the game on the right of the Redbridge front three though Manor full-back Grant Webb stuck to his task well at times.

Just past the midway point of the half, Manor doubled their advantage as from midfielder Charlie Barlow’s corner, Dewberry had enough freedom to power a header home at the near post. Indeed, Dewberry was had chances to extend both his and his side’s account though Greene denied him though Kargbo should have scored when he had a half-open goal to aim at.

In the latter stages of the half, Redbridge did ‘go up the gears’ somewhat as a good ball from the right from full-back Terrell Miller was well cut out for a corner by Delf, tracking back. The visitors got an important foothold in the match three minutes before the break as after being found well by midfielder Liam Burgess, forward michael Ogboin made no mistake slotting past Pearce to halve the deficit.

Half-Time: Southend Manor 2 – 1 Redbridge

The visitors started the second half with renewed vigour as the hosts felt the pressure and might have lost their lead five minutes after the interval as full-back Bradley Gayer’s left-wing cross found Ogboin who lifted his strike just over the woodwork. Modeste also put in another telling ball soon afterwards but somehow both Ogboin and Poku mis-read it and the ball evaded both of them.

Burgess also powered a long-range drive which Pearce did well to parry though the Motormen were level midway in the half as Modeste got a tap-in at the back post. In a rare foray forward at this point in the match, substitute Charlie Little played in Dewberry though his low strike went wide. The turnaround was complete as visiting skipper Vinny Murphy curled in a sweet free-kick in the right corner with 14 minutes to play.

Manor substitute Aaron Baldwin twice failed to beat Greene late on though the latter of those needed the Redbridge goalkeeper to clutch hold of the ball near the goalline.

Full-Time: Southend Manor 2 – 3 Redbridge

Report by Scott W (Twitter: ScottMHC14)