After a tight start to the game, Maldon opened the scoring after 26 minutes; Chris Bryan floated in a corner to the near post for Billy Sendall, his header beat both the ‘keeper and the men on the line. 0-1 Maldon & Tiptree.

Steve Portway was forced to substitute central midfielder Stephen Ikumelo just after the half-hour mark. Ikumelo received an elbow just above his eye as he challenged for a header, the unfortunate clash didn't look malicious but clumsy. Portway showed his frustration to the officials, he felt it was dangerous and deserved a card. Ikumelo was replaced by Joe Bricknell.

Redbridge ‘keeper Michael Bowditch produced a handful of fine saves in the first half to keep the score line at 1-0. One save from an Ollie Berquez shot on the edge of the box from a corner was exceptional and the keeper did well to block Jamie Guy with his feet inside a crowded area

A minute before the interval Chris Bryan was booked for time-wasting after delaying a corner. Maldon were far from happy with this decision but they had a smile on their face in injury-time when they doubled their advantage; Bryan played a short corner to Michael Toner, Toner then delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Frank Everett. 2-0 Maldon & Tiptree.

Half-Time – Maldon had showed exactly why they’re top of the league in the first half, calm and controlled possession with plenty of attacking movement. Redbridge had put together a few good periods of possession but defending against the top-dogs had taken its toll.

The visitors effectively killed the game off right from the restart; Toner crossed a looping ball in from the left, Danny Hayes misjudged the ball and it fell to the feet of Jamie Guy. He took one touch, into the box and fired the ball low and hard into the bottom left corner. 3-0 Maldon & Tiptree.

Portway made his second change after 47 minutes, replacing Bryan Glover with winger Frankie Williams. Terry Spillane made two changes in the 65th minute, replacing Frank Everett and Chris Bryan with Aaron Best and Joe Gardner.

After 70 minutes James Robinson controlled the ball just outside the Redbridge box, he jinked past one man and to the left and finished with a calm left footed strike that went in off the post. 4-0 Maldon & Tiptree.

Just 2 minutes later Nana Asamoah was presented with a clear-cut chance to pull one back. After a defensive mistake and some pressure from Cleaver the ball deflected into Asamoah’s path, he was clean in on goal but blazed his shot over the bar.

Maldon made their final change, replacing prolific striker Jamie Guy with Ben Bradbury after 73 minutes. Bowditch continued to pull off some impressive saves until the final whistle, including two pile-driver efforts from distance.

With 5 minutes until the final whistle Lee Newton, playing in central midfield, drove forward from 30 yards out, breezing past 3 defenders and into the box, he finally unleashed a shot that almost slipped under the ‘keeper but was cleared.

Full-Time – A deserved victory for Maldon & Tiptree, they showed exactly why they are top of the league. Redbridge expected a tough match but coped well under some heavy pressure.

Positives for the next fixture – Michael Bowditch continued to produce some impressive saves, like he did in the Ryman Cup on Tuesday. Shane Lemard and Danny Hayes played well at the back, despite the 4-0 scoreline.

By Lewis Edwards – @LCEdw

Click here for Steve Portway's post-match interview with Lewis Edwards.

Click here for Maldon's manager Terry Spillane's interview with Adam Dennehey.