The Motormen made the long midweek trip up the A12 to Needham Market but came away empty handed.

Redbridge were in confident form after their 3-0 weekend win over Soham Town Rangers and were hopeful of getting something from a ground where they had lost on all their three previous encounters.

They started well keeping possession of the ball and an Eljay Worrell free-kick found Leslie Thompson unmarked at the far post but he was unable to direct his header on target.

Needham’s best play was coming through the talented Jamie Guy and his shot looked certain to find the top corner but from a great diving save from Dean Driscoll to palm the ball away for a corner. The home side were now coming back into the game and a Matt Redgrave free-kick just flew inches over the bar.

Redbridge however continued to look dangerous on the attack and the partnership of Thomspon and the imposing figure of Geoffrey Mitchell were causing the Needham back line problems. As the half came to an end it was the Motormen who were bossing the game with a succession of corners but failed to make any of them count.

Into the 2nd half and Needham captain Sheridan Driver thought he had scored when he lifted the ball past Driscoll only to see a Redbridge defender head clear off the line. Soon after a loose ball fell to Matt Cripps and his thunderbolt was well saved by Driscoll.

The game changed on 72 minutes when Redbridge were reduced to ten men as Hussanou Jaffa pulled down his man and received his second yellow card which resulted in him being given his marching orders. It was Redbridge’s second red card thus far this season.

As the match looked to be heading for a point apiece it was that man Jamie Guy who grabbed the only goal of the game. Moments after he saw a good chance go narrowly wide he made amends when firing home after good work out wide by substitute Ryan Charles. The home side’s celebrations showed just what it meant to them and how tough they had been made to work for the victory.

Although it was a third defeat in four matches Redbridge managers Dave Ross and Ricky Eaton can take plenty away with them and must be confident of all three points this weekend they visit bottom side Waltham Forest

Report by Adam Silver