The hosts have made a number of new signings of late and fielded Michael Gooch between the sticks with winger Kai Heather and Paul Peston supporting a front two of Daniel Gilchrist and Taylor Tombides, with experienced pair Connor Okus and Petrit Elbi on the bench. Enfield also named a strong side with Joe Johnson, Stephen Ellery and skipper Ben Bradbury in midfield with support forward Ernold Haxhiu and Jimmy Cox in attack.

The match certainly began as it meant to go on with both sides duelling it out in an open, attacking way with winger Kai Heather and prolific forward Daniel Gilchrist both having early sight of goal that failed to duly stress E’s custodian Jamie Merralls. Enfield’s defence has shown a renewed sense of determination of late as this was centre-back Jacob Dixon was in the right place at the right time to deny Gilchrist’s ball that was heading for the back stick. Enfield did have the odd foray forward and most of it was set up through creative midfielder Ben Bradbury though the home defence was certainly alert to the danger. Forward Jimmy Cox and midfielder Stephen Ellery had efforts which kept home stopper Michael Gooch honest though lacked power.

Redbridge responded in the last ten minutes or so of the half as a super deep cross in from full-back Jon Watson was well punched out by Merralls before fellow full-back Jon Watson inadvertently denied his side the opener as he got the final touch, tapping home whilst in an off-side position. As is so often the case, that moment was a flash point as with five minutes to go until the break, Ernold Haxhiu had the freedom of the penalty area to round Gooch twice before unselfishly finding Cox who blasted home from close range. The hosts hit back at the other end though Gilchrist fired over before Heather’s free-kick was parried well by Merralls and centre-back Joe Maskell then blazed over.

Moments after the re-start, hesitant defending from the hosts nearly resulted in an OG. As it happened, the Motormen levelled two minutes into the half as Tombides’ well-directed header across into the far corner evaded Merralls’ grasp. Near the hour mark, a surging run by Tombides ended by neatly playing in strike partner Gilchrist though Merralls again did well to deny the former May & Baker man. Moments later, substitute Mark Frostick fired over the woodwork from a Bradbury corner and it was the visitors turn to suffer the consequences. With 63 minutes on the watch, Gilchrist cooley slotted low into the corner of the net to give Micky Wetherall’s men the impetus they so wanted.

The hosts piled forward seeking to ‘create daylight’ and secure the points though a combination of resolute defending and wasteful finishing meant they didn’t get the resounding lead they could’ve had at that point. E’s centre-back Lleweyn-Reid made two vital interceptions as well as substitutes Petrit Elbi and Connor Okus and Gilchrist all having chances but failed to beat Merrells, who had a good evening in the Es goal. With minutes to go of normal time, the visitors roared back as the home nerves intensified. Full-back Josh Flynn’s clever cut-back found substitute Akwasi Marfo who fired over.

That was a signal of the drama to follow as substitute Jordan William’s low strike found the corner to break the Motormen’s resolve in added-time. Due to players of both sides suffering knocks earlier, the added-time was substantial and both sides had chances to win it. Heather blazed wide when well-placed for the home side before William headed a good opening wide with almost the last action of the game.

report by Scott W (@ScottMHC14 )