Redbridge were looking to get back to winning ways against Clapton after suffering defeat on the road at the weekend against Clacton.

The hosts started on the front foot winning an early free kick clipped in towards the far post but nobody in a blue shirt was there to get on the end of it.

James Barlow almost took advantage when a Clapton defender headed goal wards not realising, he had a player behind him however the ball just ran away from the Redbridge skipper.

A long-range speculative effort followed from Jack Chawner which saw Clapton keeper Harry Edmunds make an unorthodox stop which went out for a corner.

Rob Norris then saw his disguised free kick curl around the wall heading for the far corner, but Edmunds was alert to make the stop.

The early opportunities were all falling for the home side however they soon survived a lucky escape when Clapton quickly broke up field in numbers, Jaiden Babalola decided to take the shot when better placed to pass with teammates shouting for the ball and this allowed for Chawner to get back and make a good tackle seeing the ball finally deflected out away for a corner.

The deadlock was eventually broken after 32 minutes as Redbridge went ahead, Michael Pindy showing quick reactions to fire home after Edmunds had stopped the initial effort.

Soon after it should have been a second for Redbridge, Jake Brocklebank played a lovely ball finding the unmarked Pindy at the far post, but he chose to go for power when a calm finish was required and the ball flew high over the bar, a massive let off for Clapton.

Right on half time another effort went begging as Tony Martin drifted in behind a defender to connect with a Bradley Bennett long throw however the ball went agonisingly wide.

The second half began with a good opportunity for Clapton, Babalola disposed Dean Hall who fell to the ground however this time he did choose the pass rather than go alone and in doing so overhit the ball which was intercepted by keeper Michael Corderoy.

Straight from the goal kick Redbridge doubled their advantage, a through pass found the run of Martin who controlled with his head before lifting the ball pass Edmunds into the back of the net.

Clapton to give them credit never let their heads drop and came forward , a good ball was sprayed out to the left flank where Isaac Stevens cut inside a player before firing in an effort which hit against a post.

Back at the other end and Norris put a free kick into the box, within a melee of players the ball eventually reached Brocklebank who just as he was about to shoot was pulled to the ground winning a penalty in doing do, up stepped Martin to fire home his second of the game.

Pindy was then through on goal searching for his second of the evening however only succeeded in finding the side netting

Clapton substitute Timmy Moncur then saw his free kick pushed onto the post by Corderoy who then showed good reactions to get back and prevent a Clapton striker from turning the ball home as he saved on the line.

Unfortunately, there was to be no clean sheet as Clapton were awarded a penalty when Brocklebank was alleged to have handled in the box, up stepped Fahad Nyanja to score what proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Redbridge saw the match out and in doing so move into 3rd position two points ahead of Stanway Rovers ahead of a massive game against Saffron Walden Town this weekend.

report by Adam Silver