It was a welcome return to ESL action for the Motormen who had not taken to the field since 17th October as they travelled up the M11 to visit Saffron Walden Town.

The home side cheered on by a large crowd started the quicker winning a series of corners.

It took a while for Redbridge to get into their opponents box winning a corner which was fired in falling at the feet of James Barlow but his shot was crowded out.

Soon after Saffron Walden opened the scoring, a long throw came in from the left which keeper James Scammell failed to punch clear and the ball fell to Suaibo Balde who kept his composure before firing home.

Balde again was in the thick of the action as he got onto the end of a Jack Martin cross but his effort hit a combination of keeper and defender before going out for a corner.

The home side were bossing proceedings especially in the middle of the park as Redbridge were finding it difficult to put any rhythm together.

The second half started with Redbridge immediately looking to get back into the game as Ayub Kadiri brought the ball forward however it was the home side who scored to double their lead.

Another set piece was Redbridge's undoing as Luke Wilson climbed highest and saw his headed find the net via the post.

With Saffron Walden now in buoyant mood they came forward yet again as Ross Kochen grabbed himself a superb debut goal when he looked up to see Scammell off his line before executing a perfect lob which dropped into the back of the net for 3-0.

Redbridge made all their changes looking for a way back into the game which did result in some attempts on goal however nothing which particularly seemed to trouble James Bransgrove in the home goal.

It was Saffron Walden who had the final say as Craig Cawer crossed from the left finding James Crane unmarked at the far post to put the gloss on the score line and send the home crowd home happy.

report by Adam Silver