Extra Time Agony for Motormen

Redbridge travelled to Coles Park for this FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay after both sides took part in an 2-2 draw at the weekend.

There were four changes from Saturday to the Motormen’s starting line up with Henry Day, Ibrahim Kehinde, Remi Nelson and Reuben Campbell all starting.

The away side almost went ahead in the early stages as Abs Thompson fed Campbell out on the right and his first time shot deflected out wide, from the resulting corner James Barlow almost stabbed the ball home from close range but goalkeeper Reuben Rabstein was on hand to make the save.

Salamis came forward for the first time as Albert Adu tested Connor Wheatley who failed to hold the initial effort but showed quick reactions to deny Alex Michaelides with the follow up.

Redbridge then went back on the attack through the impressive Kobe Yeboah who stole possession before driving forward into space and firing an effort just wide.

The early pressure from the away side saw them take a deserved lead after 20 minutes when Temi Oladejo swung over a free kick from the left finding Kehinde who rose highest to plant a headed past Rabstein into the far corner.

Day then got himself into the box for a corner and although he connected with the ball, he was unable to keep his shot on target before at the other end the dangerous Derek Asamoah who grabbed a brace at the weekend neatly turned away from a defender before despatching a shot however it lacked any power and was easily gathered by Wheatley.

Into the second half and Redbridge really should have found themselves two ahead, Campbell found the overlapping run of Thompson who crossed to Barlow in the area but his glanced header back across goal was deflected away.

A big let off for the away side as from a free kick Wheatley who had come to punch clear was beaten to the ball by Adu but fortunately for Redbridge his header dropped the wrong side of the upright.

Salamis were having a decent spell of pressure as they went in search of a way back into the match, Asamoah controlled the ball well before firing an effort wide.

Redbridge were having to defend well to hold their lead, Asamoah again went close as he turned as he flashed a shot over from close range before the board was lifted above showing an extra six minutes of added time were to be played.

A great chance for Redbridge to kill the tie off arrived through substitute George Purcell when the ball came across to him in space , he set himself to shoot but was unable to keep his effort down and it flew over the bar.

Heartbreak then for the away side as with just seconds remaining Salamis found the equaliser, a shot from substitute Nathan Mandla came crashing off the bar before falling kindly to Asmoah in the box. He still had plenty to do as he cut inside a challenge before unleashing a powerful effort into the back of the net causing jubilant scenes on and off the pitch.

With barely any time to restart the referee blew indicating an additional 30 minutes would be played and possibly then a penalty shootout.

As expected, the ascendancy was now all with the home side and with Redbridge looking to tire it was backs to the wall for most of the extra time , Mandla dragged a shot wide before Adu tried his luck from range. The only real effort of note for the away side came through a Purcell shot which drifted wide before the continued pressure finally resulted in a second goal for Salamis and once again it was that man Asamoah who was proving to be a real thorn in the side of Redbridge.

Even at the ripe age of 42 he was still showing his class as he crept into the box firstly falling before picking himself back up to poke home and turn the score around, with time now running out and Redbridge pushing for a leveller they were punished again as sub Josh Williams skilfully sat down Joe Elliott in the box before firing past Wheatley to put the nail in the coffin.

The 3-1 final score was very harsh on the visitors who had certainly more than played their part in an entertaining encounter however it is the home side who now move into the Preliminary Round where they will meet fellow Isthmian North side Grays Athletic whilst for Redbridge their FA Cup run ends once again at the first hurdle.

match report by Adam Silver