There was nearly a 2hr delay to kick off at the Oakside after Stanway Rovers got stuck for several hours on the A12 after a bad accident but fortunately both sides and the officials agreed the game would go ahead.

It was to be the first of two matches between the sides as they are to face one another on Good Friday in the final of the Peter Butcher Trophy.

With both Jack Chawner and Robbie Norris absent it gave Oscar Shelvey-Negus duel signed from Aveley the chance to make just his second start for the Motormen.

Stanway had the first meaningful attack when ex motorman Daniel Smith put over a cross looking for Jordan Barnett who only managed to flick his header wide.

Redbridge then came forward as Jake Brocklebank played in Tony Martin however he was forced out wide managing to win a corner.

Best chance of the game followed for the away side as Ayomi Odukoya found himself all alone in plenty of space, he tried to attempt a lob over the onrushing George Martin but failed to put another purchase on it and ended up an easy save for the Redbridge keeper.

Ibrahim Kehinde then ran into the box making space for a shot but it was well blocked by the Stanway defence.

It had been a tight opening to proceedings with both sides failing to show much of an attacking threat in the final third.

Redbridge almost capitalised on some lack lustre defending as they all stood still with Kehinde in offside position however Martin onside continued and then found Kehinde who saw his shot saved before Martin squandered the follow up and the opportunity was lost.

Kehinde then tried to turn provider crossing for martin who got his header on target however Harry Aldridge got down quickly to make the save.

Michael Pindy was then allowed far too much time to turn before firing in shot from close range which Aldridge showed good reactions to push over.

Ernest Onoh then showed good strength and pace to break free down the left flank but his cross was cleared away to safety.

Aldridge was proving to be the busier of the two keepers as he flicked Kehinde’s curling effort behind for a corner.

Kehinde again was involved turning away from a couple of defenders but only managing to fire wide, this proved to be the final chance of the half.

It was a poor first half in truth and both sides were hoping to show more cutting edge in the 2nd period, just two minutes in and that proved to be just the case when Stanway took the lead.

Onoh got free down the right crossing towards the far post finding the unmarked run of Danny Nesbitt who turned the ball home

Redbridge came forward as defender Bradley Bennett had an effort which saw an unorthodox save by the feet of Aldridge, the rebound fell kindly to Jake Brocklebank but he didn’t get behind it and his effort lacked any power

Stanway soon had a good chance to double their lead, the ball was cut across the box into the path of Sean Bartlett who connected well but Martin was well positioned and able to get down to make the stop.

The Motormen looked to the bench for inspiration as both Timothy Ogunrinde and Loui Hazlewood took to the field with Oscar Shelvey-Negus and Tony Martin making way.

Ogunrinde wasted no time in getting involved firing a low effort which once again required a save with the feet of Aldridge.

Redbridge were pushing back their opponents looking for an equaliser and won a free kick central outside the box when Pindy was brought down, Hazlewood placed the ball down before running up and superbly curling past Adridge who didn’t even have time to move as he brought his side back level with just less than 20 minutes remaining.

Kehinde then fell in the box but any penalty shouts went unheard as the referee waved play on

It was the home side who were looking more likely to get the next goal and they came close when Hazlewood crossed to the near post looking for Kehinde who saw his shot turned behind for a corner.

Another substitution for Redbridge as Kwabena Yeboah replaced Brocklebank and he made an immediate impact picking up the ball before racing into the box before being hacked down, this time the penalty was awarded.

Hazlewood stepped up and rolled the ball past Aldridge to grab his and Redbridge second goal of the afternoon

The goal seemed to knock Stanway who believed they were holding out for a point, Sean Bartlett tried his luck from distance but it was always rising.

With time running out Redbridge made the game safe as Ogunrinde found space to cross for Pindy who made no mistake firing home at the back post to secure the points.

For the Motormen it was worth the delayed start and although 2nd placed Saffron Walden grabbed a late late winner at Little Oakley it means the race for 2nd place is still very much on with two games remaining.

report by Adam Silver