Missed Chances Prove Costly

The Motormen were in familiar surroundings of the Oakside after floodlight problems at the Terrence Macmillan resulted in this away fixture being reversed, the two sides were meeting for the second time already this season after a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture back in August.

Redbridge started strongly with Ibrahim Kehinde and Timothy Ogunrinde in particular looking to cause problems up top and it was the latter who won his side a free kick when he nicked the ball off a defender who brought him down. The resulting free kick was taken by Jake Brocklebank who saw his initial effort hit the wall , the rebound fell back in his path but his shot was held by Wilkinson Boateng in goal.

The away side did however take a deserved lead on 10 minutes, a lovely ball from Brocklebank found the run of Bradley Bennett who had time to take a touch before firing low to put his side ahead.

Redbridge celebrations were cut short as within two minutes Athletic Newham had equalized, Babs Sonupe raced onto a long ball over the top and although his shot was saved by George Martin the ball fell kindly to his striking partner Josh Owootomo who fired home the rebound.

Ogunrinde and Olamiji Ayoola both saw headers go wide as Redbridge continued on the front foot looking to win possession back quickly from their opponents who were conceding plenty of free kicks in dangerous positions.

Abdishakur Farah and Shaun Harris both saw chances go narrowly wide before Ayoola found himself in front of goal with Boateng at his feet, he managed to lift the ball over the keeper but it dropped over the roof of the net.

Redbridge did soon find themselves back in front although through a defensive error, an awful pass out of defence went straight to Ogunrinde who closed in on goal making no mistake slotting into the corner.

Full back Jack Roult then dug out a good cross which almost saw Farah in at the far post as both keeper and defender left it for one another almost resulting in another goal.

The last chance of the 1st half fell to Newham as Joel Appiah did well to bring the ball under control before finding space to get a shot in which was always rising.

Into the second half an early chance saw Farah try his luck from range with the ball going just over the crossbar.

Redbridge should really have found themselves further ahead as were guilty of missing some big chances, first Ogunrinde failed to take advantage of a misplaced pass weakly shooting at Boateng before Roult put a ball across the box looking for Farah who only succeeded in blasting over from close range with the goal begging.

The shot tally continued to rise for Redbridge as Farah shot into the side netting before Ogunrinde fizzed a volley just over. Harris then saw his effort fall wide of the upright as chances continued to be missed for Redbridge who really should have been out of sight.

Athletic Newham against the run of play then got themselves back in the match through what was a controversial goal, the ball was played through looking for the run of their substitute wearing the 20 shirt however the assistant on the far side raised his flag for offside causing the Redbridge back line and keeper to stop whilst the attacked put the ball into the back of the net. The referee much to everyone’s surprise signaled for the goal and although the Redbridge players voiced their frustration the referee went across to his assistant and after a short discussion the whistle blew and the goal was allowed to stand.

Newham were now suddenly back in a game they looked well out of and Louis Hiobi headed just over from a free-kick as the home side now believed they could snatch the three points as Redbridge began to look a little nervy.

The remaining few minutes provided little of note as both sides had to settle for a point which Newham will be much the happier with whilst Redbridge will certainly feel it a case of two points dropped.

report by Adam Silver