As the evening chills started to hit, Woodford travelled to Oakside to face Redbridge just 48 hours after their victory at Sporting Bengal. Redbridge made a few chances from their last league win at Southend Manor last weekend with Quincy Egbejale joining skipper Vinny Murphy in central defence and Calvin Poku and Michael Ogboin in attack. The Towners named a strong side with Samir Ali and Temi Babalola the forward line supported by playmaker Ethan Kessel.

The hosts began things fairly brightly though midfielder Bryan Kyungu and forward Michael Ogboin’s half-openings were denied by the visiting defence. Woodford started to get their rhythm going though as midfielder Malaki Toussaint’s powerful run was denied by an off-side flag.

Redbridge were buoyed by a travelling troupe of Swedish supporters in the stands though the visitors had the most to shout about on-the-pitch as poot defending as Babalola was involved in the build-up and the fall came to fellow forward Ali who gleefully snared a tap-in at the far post on nine minutes

Town extended their lead with another big punch only four minutes later as Samir Ali turned provider, playing in midfielder Taku Machingaidze who slotted home well. To be quite honest, there was only one side really gelling at this point and home goalkeeper Lewis Greene denied winger Connor Leon and Ali, the latter when one-on-one. Motormen forward Calvin Poku sent a header over the bar on the half-hour though for the most part, it was one-way traffic.

Half-Time: Redbridge 0 – 2 Woodford Town

The visitors began the second period well though in the early part of the half, both sides traded long-range efforts with Ethan Kessel for Town and winger Jack Stevenson for the hosts. Unsurprisingly, Redbridge boss Ricky Eaton made changes early and one of those substitutes – Ashley Blackburn did well to turn his marker though his shot was gathered by visiting custodian Alex Reed.

In what was a quieter half in general, though the Motormen had an outlet through substitute Asher Modeste but it wasn’t running for them as the Town defence looked comfortable. To compound things, home skipper Murphy was given a straight red card midway through the half for a strong challenge. With 13 minutes left, Babalola got the goal his performance deserved as the powerful forward slotted home past Greene.

The hosts did get arguably the technical goal of the match six minutes later as Kyungu unleashed a cracker into the top corner from fully 25 yards. Overall though, the visitors did more than enough to claim the points and the silky dribbling of Kessel allied with the physicality of Babalola and pace of Ali means they will be a threat this season in attack. Redbridge are in transition with their mostly-new squad and will take time to gel.

Full-Time: Redbridge 1 – 3 Woodford Town

Credit to Woodford on a dominant performance which shows they could have a good season. Redbridge will really feel it was a ‘bad day at the office’ though they will battle again another day.

report by Scott W
@ ScottMHC14