Redbridge’s FA Cup voodoo continues after they were knocked out by a goal deep into stoppage time. It came a few minutes after Redbridge had equalised to bring the tie level but Heybridge dished out a mighty blow by winning the contest with practically the last kick of the game.

Much of the first half saw both teams struggle to find any cutting edge upfront. If anything it was a battle of solid defences as both Redbridge’s and Heybridge’s backline stifled any chances that came near their respective boxes. Heybridge were certainly rueing some wasteful finishing by Shamido Pedulu who on two occasions found himself in space but smashed his shots well off target.

Redbridge did see Michael Ogboin bundled in the box by Damian Green on 22 minutes but the referee waved play on. Ogboin also picked up a great cross from Ronnie Winn, controlled it but before he could fire a shot off found ex-Redbridge player Liam Thomas blocking his path to goal and the ball was hooked away to safety. Another passing move involving Winn ended up with Ryan Carolan getting into the Heybridge box but he was harried by the Heybridge defence and another long clearance snuffed out the Redbridge attack.

Ogboin tested Sam Cowler in the Heybridge goal early in the second half with a header that was tipped away. Daniel Barber also had to head away a Redbridge corner whilst under pressure from Ogboin. A Carolan freekick was headed away and a Rigers Kabashi effort was deflected by Pinto.

It had been a good spell of pressure from Redbridge but Heybridge then won a corner after a long ball played in Shamido Pedulu whose shot was tipped away by Avery. The Redbridge keeper was then called upon to tip away a Damian Green header from a corner on 60 minutes. However on 68 minutes Green was able to head past Avery to give Heybridge the lead. Redbridge then mounted a few attacks but Barber was dominant in defence and was on hand to mop up any balls that made their way into the Heybridge box.

Further Heybridge attacks resulted in Avery bravely diving at Billy Hunt’s feet to claim the ball and then tipping away a Akwasi Marfo shot on 75 minutes.

The final 10 minutes saw Redbridge put the Heybridge goal under pressure as they looked to level terms. The best chance fell to Ronnie Winn who cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that Cowler did well to tip away. The resulting corner was headed home by James Ogunleye and with 85 minutes on the clock it looked like Redbridge had done enough to take the tie to a reply.

But in closing seconds Hunt put in a cross from the left wing and Akwasi Marfo pounced and slotted past Avery which sent the away fans into delirium.

report by Scott Lanza