Friday night football returned to the Oakside as league leaders Motormen hosted FC Clacton who had made the long journey down the A12.

There was early panic in the Seasiders box as the ball played pinball around the penalty area before the ball was eventually cleared from danger.

The first effort of the game fell to the home side, leading scorer Ibrahim Kehinde collected the ball before turning and shooting straight into the welcome arms of Corderoy.

Early pressure from Redbridge continued as Abdishakur Farah tried his luck from distance but the ball was always rising and went well clear of the bar.

It was however the away side who took the lead with their first attempt, a ball up field caused full back Bradley Bennett to lose his balance allowing Collis to get infront of him and shoot first time catching Martin in goal offguard as he could only look and watch as the ball sailed past him into the goal.

Moments later and FC Clacton were in on goal once again with only a last ditch tackle from Bennett clearing the ball out for a corner. The ball came in and was only partially cleared, it was put back across finding Clowsley who smashed home on the half volley leaving Martin clasping at thin air to double the away side’s lead.

Redbridge were certainly shocked by that quick fire double from Clacton who were now in control and looking to win the physical battles all over the pitch.

Herman Mwanza came closest to a goal for the home side but he was pushed out out wide and his effort fell the wrong side of the post.

Clacton continued to look dangerous on the break and had further attempts to extend their lead, first Collis saw his shot tipped over by Martin before Koyle saw a volley fly just wide.

Into the final moments of the 1st half and action at both ends, first Redbridge had not one but three chances to score only to be denied by resilient defending from the home side who saw them block the ball on numerous occasions before the rebound was eventually blasted over.

Mckenize then almost made it 3-0 as he held off a defender before seeing his shot agonisingly drop wide of the upright.

The second half began as the first had ended , Lartey broke free for Clacton but Martin was quickly off his line showing good reactions to make the save.

No let up in play from the away side who continued to attack, McKenzie found himself through on goal only to be denied by a superb one handed save before Nathan Okure denied him the rebound by getting back quickly to clear.

At the other end Kehinde got away from a defender and saw his shot saved by the feet of Corderoy, it was a rare chance for the home side who were struggling to break down Clacton who were doing good job in keeping Redbridge at bay.

Another chance went begging for Redbridge when Jake Brocklebank put over a free kick into the far post finding Bennett who could only head wide with the goal gaping.

Martin had to remain alert in goal to acrobatically tip over a curling effort which seemed destined to find the top corner, he however was soon beaten for a third time. Redbridge lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, a quick ball found the run of McKenzie who stepped around Martin before putting the ball into the back of the net before a defender could get back in time to clear.

Redbridge were given a way back into the match as a penalty was then given with a FC Clacton player also sent to the sin bin for possibly something he said , Kehinde stood up and slotted home a powerful effort past the dive of Corderoy who got a touch to the ball but was beaten by the power of the shot.

The goal proved nothing more than a consolation as it was too late for Redbridge to get themselves back into the game as it was the Seasiders who took the three points with a professional performance whilst Redbridge will be unhappy with their performance on the night and will look for a reaction when they travel to Athletic Newham next Wednesday.

report by Adam Silver