The Motormen sitting 3rd in the table travelled up the A12 for this big clash against 2nd placed Stanway Rovers in a match played in awful conditions throughout meaning it was never going to be a classic.

The home side had the wind against them in the first period making it difficult and they almost gifted Redbridge an early goal when a short back pass was almost capitalised on by Tony Martin as the early pressure came from the away side.

They soon had the chance to turn their dominance into a goal when awarded a penalty, Shaun Harris headed onto Ibrahim Kehinde who collected the ball before making his way into the area however across case a defender and the striker hit the ground with the referee very quick to give the decision much to the frustration of the home side who felt it was a very soft decisions given against them.

Up stepped Kehinde who made no mistake from 12 yards firing high past the Stanway Rovers keeper for his 15th goal of the season.

The Motormen continued to attack, Nathan Okoye came forward for a corner swinging a foot out but seeing his shot straight at the keeper who was able to hold.

It was however soon 2-0 when a ball up the top found Martin , he held off a defender before delaying his shot which went across the goal into the far corner of the net where the keeper was unable to get down in time.

Stanway were struggling to get a foot hold in the game but as the half time whistle blew they knew the wind would be in their favour second half.

The first chance however fell to Redbridge when Jack Roult did well down the left flank before finding Herman Mwanza who made space before shooting just wide.

The home side as expected was certainly having more of the possession before then having the numerical advantage when Robbie Norris was shown a second yellow card and made to leave the field.

With the extra man they started to find more space as they searched for a way back into the game and came very close to doing so when from a corner number 2 headed over from close range when he really should have hit the target.

Their pressure soon resulted in pulling a goal back with 12 minutes remaining, a shot was initially saved by Michael Corderoy as the ball hit the post but James Crisell was on hand to react before the ball could be cleared and the ball found itself in the back of the goal.

It was all hands to the deck for Redbridge now who were hanging on to keep their lead however with just minutes remaining Stanway did pull themselves level when a corner was not properly cleared allowing Ernest Okoh to smash home in a crowded penalty area.

Time was then called on proceedings on a game which the weather was the only winner in what was certainly a game of two halves; it was a real credit to both sets of players who continuously tried their best to play good football.

report by Adam Silver