The Motormen have been chopping and changing their squad for each game and new-boy Lee Newton made an instant impression by scoring in the third minute. Nana Asamoah crossed in a low ball from near the left by-line and Newton got into the right place at the right time to finish from close distance, 1-0 Redbridge.

Redbridge started the match brightly; they looked to have changed their long-ball mentality and began to knock the ball around the pitch with a new confidence, retaining possession well.

Soham’s first chance came in the 12th minute. Jack Paxman drifted in from the left wing and unleashed a low left-footed drive that fizzed across the box and was parried by debutant Jack Avery. The away side rarely threatened the Redbridge goal for the first 25 minutes which was down to the way Redbridge had controlled the game through an improved quality of possession.

The two stand-out players during the first half-hour were Redbridge’s central midfielder Morris Adu and Soham’s left winger Jack Paxman. Adu had bossed the midfield, showing some strong defensive work and had won a number of aerial challenges. For the away side Paxman had showed some silky touches, some creative runs and had posed a constant threat on the left wing by showing his ability to drive to the by-line and to cut inside.

Another Redbridge debutant Juan Onieva came close to scoring around the 28th minute. He blazed over from close distance after Sam Taylor whipped in a free-kick toward the front-post. A good chance gone begging for the Redbridge and they were made to pay for it just a minute later.

In the 29th minute the Soham were level. Right winger Ryan Auger floated in a cross that was powered home by striker Matthew Robinson with a bullet header, 1-1.

The goal had a profound effect on the away side, the equaliser had spurred them on and they began to pressure the Redbridge players and began to carve out chances. Within a matter of minutes both teams had received a booking for silly offences. Both Asamoah and Robbie Mason were cautioned for kicking the ball away after the whistle was blown.

In the 40th minute, Lee Newton showed some real class in-front of goal. With his back to goal he held off the defender and received the ball into feet, he then delicately flicked the ball to the left setting himself up perfectly for a right-footed volley which was parried onto the post and out for a corner. He showed skill, strength and an eye for goal forcing a great save from Dan Bircham.

Half-Time – Redbridge had been the better side in the first half, they had been retaining possession well and creating some chances especially from the wings. Both Asamoah and Spencer Sachies had got into some advanced positions and delivered decent crosses into the box. For the away side Paxman continued to show trickery down the left, beating numerous opponents.

In the 53rd minute Soham grabbed the lead. Michael Simpson fired a volley from outside the box which the ‘keeper spilled straight into Matthew Robinson’s path and he bundled the ball over the line from around 4 yards, 2-1 Soham.

Just six minutes later Soham increased their lead. Paxman cut in from the left, beat Shane Lemard and curled a shot at goal which was parried by the ‘keeper but only back into Paxman’s path. As Paxman lined-up to shoot again he was brought down and the referee pointed to the spot.
Paxman picked himself up off the ground, dusted himself down and converted the penalty with confidence. He showed his hard work had paid off with a firm strike to the left of the goal, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way, 3-1 Soham.

The match looked to be slipping away from Redbridge as it entered the last half-hour. Steve Portway looked to change things up by bring off Asamoah and replacing him with debutant Paul Tiffen. Asamoah had shown some flair and pace on the right wing, on occasions beating his marker and roaming into the box. His delivery in the final third let him down today though, but it was another positive appearance.

In the 66th minute Redbridge pulled one back. Tiffen made an instant impression from the bench and looked to be an inspired substitution from the boss. Adu executed a great long ball over the left back into the path of Tiffen who finished with a fantastic lobbed effort from the edge of the 18 yard box. A great ball followed up by a great finish! 3-2 Soham.

Steve Portway made another substitution shortly after the goal in an attempt to change the game again, bringing off Onieva for Danny Hayes.
With 20 minutes to go Taylor saved a shot off the line from a headed effort which caused a goal-mouth scramble in the Redbridge 18 yard box. Numerous shot were fired in from close distance forcing Jack Avery to produce a number of reflex saves to keep the game within reach.

Soham had a great chance to kill the game off in the 82nd minute. Auger whipped the ball in from the right towards the front post which JPaxman controlled and blazed wide from inside the 6 yard box. A chance that looked harder to miss than to score.

Shortly after that glorious chance Soham did finish the game. In the 85th minute Ryan Auger scored a fantastic volley from outside the box that flew into the left side of the net. A fine finish that put the cherry on a strong Soham performance. 4-2 Soham.

Full-Time – After Soham’s third goal Redbridge began to revert to their old ways by lumping the ball forwards without any real direction, which was disappointing to see after some much improved passing.

Redbridge looked like a different side in the first 35 minutes with a very noticeable improvement from last Tuesday’s defeat. They kept possession well with some confident passing and began to carve out some good chances, but it was their defensive side that let them down again.
Soham did well to come from 1-0 down and will be pleased to have grabbed their first points of the season propelling them off the bottom of the table.

Positives for the next fixture – Morris Adu was a driving force in the centre and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. He looks to be a key player for The Motormen this season; he produced a great assist, showed both good attacking and defensive play and threw himself into challenges, showing commitment to the cause.

The striking partnership of debutants Lee Newton and Juan Onieva looked better than partnerships in previous games. During the first half Redbridge looked confident on the ball and kept the ball well by looking for a simple pass rather than playing the ball long. This display was a huge improvement from Tuesday’s performance, the only way is up.

By Lewis Edwards – @LCEdw