Redbridge hosted an Essex Senior League match for the first time since October 2020 as they met newly promoted Athletic Newham who they had faced and beaten en route to winning the Len Cordell Cup back in June, that match required a penalty shoot out for the Motormen to progress after a tough encounter so they knew just how tough an opponent Athletic Newham would provide.

Barely three minutes were on the clock when Redbridge went in front, a poor back pass never reached its intended target and instead fell kindly into the path of Ibrahim Kehinde who picked up the loose ball and fired the past Wilkinson Boateng in the Newham goal.

The home side certainly seemed to have the bit between their teeth as they attacked once again, a fine passing move ended with a shot from Jack Chawner which rose high over the bar.

Just nine minutes in and the Motormen’s lead was then doubled, a long kick out from George Martin in goal was well brought down out the air by Timothy Ogunrinde , in one move he controlled the ball and beat his marker using his pace to get away and close in on goal before finding the back of the net in which was a superb individual effort.

Athletic Newham were shocked by this quick sucker punch but counted themselves lucky not to soon be further behind, Chawner battled through a challenge before playing a ball over the top into the path of Jake Brocklebank who remained onside but could only succeed in putting his shot wide when it seemed easier to score.

The away side then came forward for the first time in the game as a long ball up field found the run of Jeff Idemudia who saw his shot take a deflection off a Redbridge defender and go out for a corner.

Back at the other end and the pace of Ogunrinde and Kehinde were causing the Newham back line all sorts of problems, the two players combined with the latter only managing to head an effort over the bar.

Athletic Newham soon started to get a foothold in the match as they had their best spell with most of their danger coming down the flank through the lively Anderson Baro but it was Joel Appiah who came closest to scoring when his first effort was blocked before he blasted the rebound well over.

As the half neared its end they continued to ask questions of Redbridge limiting the home side’s chances with the nearest they came to scoring again was when Olamiji Ayoola headed over from a corner.

The first chance of the second period fell to Redbridge as Herman Mwanza did well to create space for himself before curling an attempt which Boateng was equal to.

Athletic Newham got their lifeline soon after when poor defending presented them with a loose ball which Akin Akinola volleyed into the back of an empty net to reduce the deficit to just one goal.

It was certainly a more aggressive looking Newham side this half and the goal game them a real belief they could get themselves back into the match, they won a series of corners as went in search of grabbing an equaliser.

A delay then followed as Boateng went down injured but after receiving treatment he was able to continue , he had to soon be alert racing from his goal to gather from Mwanza who was put through on goal only to see his first touch desert him.

Another stop to play then arose as this time Redbridge keeper Martin required treatment and although trying his best he was unable to continue and found himself replaced by the young substitute goalkeeper in Miraldie Ndunzi.

The first thing however he found himself doing was having to pick the ball up out the back of the net as he was at fault in trying to keep out a free kick from long range with Akinola once again being their goal scorer to level the match.

Straight from kick off Redbridge almost regained their lead as Ogunrinde connected with a cross at the near post only to see Boateng push the ball around a post before he was alert to a free kick from Chawner which he tipped over showing great agility from someone who only moments earlier looked as though he would be unable to see the match through to the end.

It was no surprise to see nine additional minutes signalled to be played and it was now the away side who looked like most likely to grab a winning goal, they thought they had done just that when the ball was headed over the line causing wild celebrations only for them to be cut short when the assistant referee indicated his flag had been raised in the build up.

Deep into injury time Redbridge thought they had then won the game as Ogunrinde put over a fine cross finding the head of Robbie Norris only to be denied by Boateng who clawed the ball away to safety not or the first time this evening.

The referee then called full time on what was a thoroughly entertaining match in which both sides will feel they had opportunities to have won the game however a draw on the night probably seemed the right result in all fairness.

report by Adam Silver