There was an early appeal for a penalty from the away side when their striker was through on goal and collided under the challenge of Wright but only a corner was awarded much to the annoyance of the Hamlets bench who were up in arms.

The away side were looking lively coming forward and had a chance when Edoukou shot wide.

Redbridge did finally break up the other end when good work by Dan Gilchrist forced a corner, from the resulting play a call was crossed in finding the head of Bricknell but from close range his header was saved by Villanucci.

Gilchrist then found Bricknell who showed good skill to turn inside a defender but dragged his effort just wide before Liam Burgess fired in a cross looking for Jon Watson at the far post and he went for the spectacular but mishit his volley which flew the wrong side of the post.
Hamlets again attacked with Ryan Atkinson in particular looking sharp before Jamie Yola showed good composure stepping past a defender before firing the ball across an empty goal mouth.

The deadline was finally broken after 25 minutes when a long ball over the top found the run of O’Neil who slipped the ball past Harvey and although the striker was brought down it mattered not as the loose ball rolled into an empty net.

It never took long for Hamlets to double their advantage when after Joshua Rusoke was pulled down in the box under the challenge of Daniel Smith and Atkinson made no mistake thumping home the penalty for 2-0.

Just 5 minutes later and it was three, Atkinson showed real pace in beating the full back and laid the ball into the path of O'Neil who could not miss and tapped home his second of the game in what was a superb 10 minute spell for the visitors.

Redbridge needed an instant reply and got it within a minute from the restart when Bricknell laid the ball off to Gilchrist who stepped inside a defender before firing a powerful drive leaving Villanucci stranded.

Redbridge certainly needed that goal and now attacked again looking for another, firstly Conor Okus played a ball across the area but there was nobody waiting in a blue shirt before Burgess shot wide from distance as the half time whistle sounded.

Edoukou saw his fierce shot well parried by wright before Yila did well on the wing before putting over a good ball finding O’Neil who was only able to head wide from close range.

Burgess then floated in a free kick looking for substitute Conor Browne but his effort was hacked away off the line before fellow substitute Petrit Elbi picked the ball up and got a shot in which was held by Villanucci.

It was the best spell of the match for the home side but they conceded again when Edoukou showed great strength and desire to beat Smith before cutting inside and firing a low effort which beat the dive of Wright.

Browne and Elbi combined well before the former saw his deflected effort go out for a corner whilst at the other end Yola seemed certain to grab a 5th when he waltzed past Wright before steadying himself and shooting but he was denied by Smith was was on the post and able to clear the danger.

Redbridge should have scored when Elbi strode forward playing in Browne who took a heavy touch before firing over when he really should have found the target and summed up his side’s performance.

Hamlets deservedly took all three points which will go a long way towards guaranteeing their safety whilst Redbridge will look to put things right next weekend when they entertain bottom side Leyton.

report by Adam Silver