Redbridge finally got their chance to test their wits against league leaders VCD Athletic for the first time this season.

One of the main objectives surely would have been to keep things tight early on but that plan went out the window after just 2 minutes when the home side were awarded a penalty.

Uche Iberme brushed past Eljay Worrell with ease and as he made his way into the box was brought down by Tyron Thomas giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Michael Power who sent Mark Parker the wrong way to give VCD an early lead.

Things went from bad to worse just 4 minutes later as a long ball over the top caught out the defence and it was Power who ran onto the loose ball and slotted the ball pash the onrushing Power into an open net. The home side were certainly looking strong and showing just why they are currently sitting top of the league, they had several other chances which they spurned the best of which fell to James Duckworth but he took too long allowing Parker to make the save.

Credit to redbridge whose heads never dropped and they soon carved out their first chance when Patrick Damali got in a cross which Emeil Aiekn connected with but his header went straight into the arms of Nick Blue in the VCD goal. Soon after however the Motormen did pull one back, a mix up between the goalkeeper and the defender allowed debuant striker Lewis Bentley in and although he still had alot to do he found the goal from a tight angle. The momentum of the match now looked to changed and Redbridge should have leveled the score when Abs Thompson’s cross found Aiken who headed over when it appeared easier to score.

Just as the half time whistle was about to be blown VCD went and scored a 3rd when Karl Bent ran onto a through pass and just touched the ball round Power before allowing the ball to simply drift over the line. It was a kiler blow to the Motormen as with the score at 2-1 the 2nd half could have become interesting.

The 2nd half failed to live up to the 1st period but Redbridge settled into the game without really creating too many clear goal chances, the best did come however late on when Aiken found Bently and with Blue standing off his line went for the curling effort over him but he was equal to it with a spectacular diving save.

Match Report by Adam Silver