Ex Motorman Jacob Cleaver popped up with an 80th minute goal as Brentwood drew 1-1 at the Oakside stadium

Brentwoood started well and striker Coutney White had a couple of early chances before the away team had a great chance to open the scoring. Cleaver put through a ball to White who beat the offside trap but collided with Redbridge debuant goalkeeper Mark Parker , the loose ball fell to Shad Ngandu but his effort sailed over the bar whilst the goal stood empty.

The home side then took the lead on 10 minutes with their first effort, Emeil Aiken beat ex Redbridge goalkeeper Dean Neil to an ariel challenge and the ball fell kindly into the path of Abs Thompson who took his time to compose himself and then fired into the net beating two defenders on the line.

Redbridge were now in the ascendency and moments later and It soon should have been 2-0 but Aiken’s weak shot was off target. A good pasing move by the Motormen saw Patrick Damali spray a ball out wide to Aiken who crossed early finding Thompson who tried to loop his headed effort over Neil but the keeper was equal to it.

Brentwood’s Jack Gardner then went on a good run beating three Redbridge players before he was brought down outside the area. The resulting free kick from James Love was on target and required the outstretched hand of Parker who tipped over for a corner.

Brentwood’s defence then failed to clear an effort and the ball was picked up by Ben Bradbury who let fly only to see his shot crash back off a post.

If the home side had the better of the 1st half then Brentwood certainly edged the 2nd half as they went searching for the equaliser. They made all three substitutions which appeared to change the game and they started to ask Redbridge questions as the home side lived dangerously with just a one goal lead.

First Stephen Good was called on to clear off the line after Parker had misjudged a cross and then Aiken’s shot was so off target that it managed to go into the actual clubhouse , something which he could not have done again had he another 100 attempts.

Redbridge then went close when a Daniel Smith ball reached Aiken but his attempted lob fell straight into the arms of Neil. It proved to be a costly miss as Brentwood Town went straight up the other end and scored as Cleaver pounced after Parker had saved an initial effort and the ball went straight into his path.

In the final minutes the away side almost grabbed the winner but Tony Martin fired over when it appeared easier to score. Overall a draw seemed the right result on the day although Redbridge were the happier of the sides to finally here the whistle blow at the end.

report by Adam Silver