In a scrappy affair on a windswept day at Oakwood the spoils were shared with Redbridge in a game of few clear cut chances. With a glut of goals and exciting football seen at Oakwood this season it is only the second goal-less game seen at VCD all year, the last being against neighbours Thamesmead Town back in January. With the recent seven goal home win (4-3) against Leyton and their earlier six goal wins against East Thurrock and Thamesmead (both 4-2) to go with various goalfests, visitors to Oakwood have been spoilt for goalmouth action this season.

This game failed to spark into life for the whole ninety minutes though not helped by a strong wind and it was apparent that the excellent away day wins at Harlow and Tilbury had taken their toll. With Aaron Firth brought back into the starting line up and captain Danny Penny, David Hunt and Chris Tedder on the bench the squad had a strong look again but Hogg, Maskell and Cook were all still missing through suspension and injury. The visitors were the better side for the opening 15 minutes and midfielders Leon Diaczuk and Mark Nougher both looked to attack with the former having a good chance that was saved by Jack Bradshaw.

Chuck Duru then got on the end of a good Redbridge move but his shot was well blocked by young centre half George Mitchell. The Vickers slowly started to come into the game and winger Callum O'Shea sent an excellent cross into the box but it just evaded Nick Hegley at the far post. Hegley had the best chance of the game released by captain Leroy Huggins and his fierce drive was well saved by James Marrable for a corner. Kevin Winchcombe's resultant corner was met at the far post by Mitchell but his glancing header missed the target.

O'Shea sent in another cross into the Redbridge box but Marrable punched to safety under pressure from Huggins and Bradshaw made a comfortable save at the other end from the industrious Diaczuk. The second half saw the introduction of exciting youngster Uche Ibemere for Firth and Danny Penny for Gary Ward in a double substitution as the home side went for the win. Ibemere tormented the centre halves immediately with his pace and sublime skill and won a succession of corners with some fine forward play. From a Hegley corner Penny sent a header towards goal and as Huggins looked to glance it over the line Marrable plucked it from the striker's head.

The closing minutes saw the game open out and Redbridge's left winger Fabion wasted two good opportunites, the last of which brought a point winning save from Jack Bradshaw. With twelve points from a possible fifteen in the five games prior to this it could be argued the games had caught up with the normally bright Vickers on a day when a handful looked heavy legged.

Report courtesy of www.vcd-athletic.co.uk