Two early unbeaten sides went head to head at the Oakside as 2nd placed Redbridge met 3rd placed Takeley.

The home side made several changes to their line up as they looked for a reaction to Saturday's FA cup defeat.

Timi Abiola, Tom Harvey and Luke Stanley all came in for their first starts.

The early stages saw the away side with more of the possession as they knocked the ball around and created an opportunity which fell inviting to ex Redbridge man Mitchell Das but he was denied by the quick reactions of Floren Gislette in goal.

Takeley's Bryn Thorpe was looking lively and he flashed an effort wide before his cross was touched on by Coby Miles but Gislette was again on hand to make the stop.

The away side were rewarded with a goal after 18 minutes when Das did well down the left and although it seemed he at first missed the chance to cross he eventually put over a deep cross and there waiting at the far post was Thorpe who headed home unchallenged.

Takeley were in full control now and only the crossbar denied them a second as Glen O'Hanlon was denied before Gislette who was certainly the busiest of the keepers was called upon again.

Redbridge did finally create a chance as James Barlow got into the box but his cross was cleared for a corner with Daniel Gilchrist lurking.

Harvey then tried his luck from range and Matt Gill in goal was needed to be at full stretch to turn the ball over.

Stanley then saw a shot drift wide before Takeley spurned a great chance for a second when Andre Humphrey mishit his shot after aThorpe layoff.

They did however grab their second goal which came from a neat passing move ending when George Powell cross was turned home once again by that man Thorpe.

O'Hanlon was denied a 3rd as Gislette made a good double save before Reece Barrett fired over as the chances continued to come for Takeley.

Half time saw the introduction of Taylor Tombides and he made an immediate impact as he ran onto a pass before holding up the ball cutting inside a defender and curling an effort into the top corner to give the home side hope.

That goal certainly breathed new life into Redbridge as they started to get an upper hand for the first time in the game.

Takeley however were then awarded a penalty after a ball over the top caught out a defender allowing Das in on goal but he was brought down by Gislette and the spot kick was awarded.

Up stepped Barrett and he thumped home to restore the away side's two goal advantage.

Das then flashed a cross across the goal mouth avoiding everyone before O'Hanlon placed an effort just wide.

The home side did pull another goal back when after a scramble in the box the referee agreed that the ball had crossed the line much to Takeley’ s frustrations with Tombides getting the final touch

The goal gave the home side belief they could snatch an unlikely point and Tombides had the chance with a free kick but unfortunately it hit the wall and with it came the final whistle and a first league defeat of the season

Report by Adam Silver