Motormen into Hat for 2nd Round Trophy Draw

Redbridge traveled to Coles Park home of Isthmian Premier side Haringey Borough for this Isuzu FA Trophy 1st Round tie.

An enforced changed Redbridge starting line after injuries and cup tied players saw George Martin retain his place in goal whilst Solomon Ogunwomoju led the line.

Koby Yeboah had the first effort of the match as he tried to lift the ball over the head of Haringey keeper Dillon Barnes but it never quite had the measure and was easily gathered.

At the other end Borough came forward through Mekhi Leacock-McLeod winning a corner for his side, the home side were having the early lion share of possession as a teasing cross was put over just evading their striker.

The first shot on target took some time to arrive but fell the way of Redbridge, good work out wide by Abs Thompson saw him pull the ball back across the box to Jerold Cobblah who struck first time however Barnes was able to palm away.

The next big opportunity also dropped to the away side, Mekael Williams played a lovely cross over from the left finding Thompson who got in front of a defender and connected well but his shot hit the frame of the crossbar and went over.

The home side were looking short of confidence very much looking like a side who were bottom of the table with only one league victory from 11 matches played , they were often guilty of being sloppy in possession and giving the ball away cheaply.

They too often were looking long down the channels but Redbridge were defending well and denying them any clear cut opportunities and when presented with a good chance their striker took a wild swing missing the ball before the follow up went tamely wide.

Into the second period and the home side no doubt on the end of half time rollicking went close when Martin failed to reach a cross he had come out for presenting their striker with a glorious opportunity to score but he lifted the ball over.

Georgios Aresti then went close with an effort which dropped just wide of the upright as the home side at last started to look lively within the final third.

However the deadlock was broken but by Redbridge, Soumen Nandi won his side a free kick which was quickly floated into the box by Jack Chawner finding Dean Hall who had gone forward and he connected from close range to stab the ball home.

At the other end Borough substitute Nadum Melvin-Lambert was almost put through however strong defending by Bradley Bennett denied him from getting a shot away.

With the clock starting to tick down Redbridge went and won themselves a penalty, Thompson and substitute Ronnie Winn combined well with the latter seeing his shot saved by Barnes before Thompson at the second time of asking worked his way back into the box before being brough crashing to the ground.

Up stepped Ogunwomoju to send Barnes the wrong way to double his sides advantage however straight back down the other end and Haringey reduced the arrears when Redbridge failed to clear the loose ball allowing Melvin-Lambert to fire low past Martin.

It was game on with just 3 minutes remaining and it made for an anxious end to the match for Redbridge however they held firm and saw out the victory which now puts them into Mondays 2nd Round draw which sees the arrival of Step 2 clubs meaning a trip to Torquay could potentially be on the cards.

report by Adam Silver