Redbridge hosted Hoddesdon Town at the Oakside knowing that 3 points could take them top of the Essex Senior League.

Newly signed goalkeeper Josh Chebesi remained in goal after his impressive debut at the weekend whilst debutant Sak Hassan slotted straight into the midfield after dual signing from AFC Hornchurch.

With just seven minutes on the clock the away side struck first, a corner was swung into the box which Chebesi came out to punch however only succeeded in knocking the ball onto the head of Hoddesdon defender Harry Norman who wheeled away in delight.

Redbridge were looking for a quick reply and sprung forward only to be denied by the referee who was quick to blow the whistle for a foul on the half way as play was pulled back.

A free kick from the home side was floated in by Timothy Ogunrinde which Craig Hall looked to get on the end of however he just failed to get his head to the ball and the chance was gone, moments later from a corner Nathan Okoye headed just over.

Redbridge continued to press as Jake Brocklebank played a ball over the top finding the run of Ibrahim Kehinde who was in an onside position , cutting inside a defender he was just about to let fly as a defender got back to make a good challenge and the resulting ball fell kindly into arms of goalkeeper Reed.

Another good chance for the home side as Oguninde found himself through on goal , he tried to lift the ball past Reed who stood firm and made the save with the rebound falling at the feet of Kehinde who blasted over.

A rare attack from Hoddesdon almost caught out Chebesi as he decided to take a touch rather than clear first time , fortunately for him the ball rebounded against a Hoddesdon player and went out wide.

Hassan was looking impressive on the ball in the middle of the park, he showed good skill to turn a defender and although managed to get a shot in it only nestled into the side netting.

A poor clearance at the other end by Reed saw the ball fall straight to Kehinde who fired in his shot which the keeper redeemed himself by pushing away however the ball was played back into the middle finding Jack Chawner who brought it under control before letting fly from distance to level the score.

It was all one way traffic now and within a minute of the goal had a chance to go ahead when Craig Hall popped up with a delightful volley which fell just the wrong side of the upright.

It was no real surprise that Redbridge did soon score although Hoddesdon would have been upset to concede from a set piece, a corner was played in finding Kehinde unmarked who headed home to put Redbridge in front for the first time on the night.

It had been a matter of patience for the home side who had been knocking on the door since conceding and were eventually rewarded as they went in at the break leading a goal to the good.

The first chance of the second half fell to the away side when a through pass found the run of Hoddesdon 16 who saw his first time shot gathered at the second attempt by Chebesi.

It was not long however before the home side extended their advantage , a lovely cross from the right by Hassan found Farah at the back post and only he will know if it was a well executed lay off or misguided shot but either way it fell kindly at the feet of Kehinde who had time to turn and rifle home his second of the game.

A period of play then followed with little of any goalmouth activity although the home side remained dominant in possession and were not really allowing Hoddesdon any real chance of getting back into the game

A good passing move by Redbridge saw Ogunrinde
Lovely switch ball Timothy Ogunrinde spread across field ball to Hassan who played in Kehinde in for his hattrick only for the striker to be denied by Reed.

A rare attack from Hoddesdon saw a quick break started by Nzembela who played a good ball out wide which was crossed into the middle but seen away by the home defence. The resulting corner almost caught the Redbridge keeper off guard as he came to catch the ball but lost out to a Hoddesdon attacker who got to the ball first however a defender on the line was able to clear the danger and spare Chebesi’s blushes.

Redbridge made all their changes with one of those in Sonny Fish testing Reed with a powerful shot but the Hoddesdon keeper got his body behind the ball and made the stop.

Fish again was involved as he showed nice feet to get into the box before his deft back heel found fellow substitute Herman Mwanza who hit a first time shot which Reed had to be alert to tipping over the bar.

The final chance of the game fell to Redbridge as Abdishakur Farah stepped up over a free kick , his curled effort was gathered by Reed before the final whistle was blown on a good night for the home side who after this result sit top of the table on goal difference.

report by Adam Silver