SOUTH: Report - Motormen find Remy-dy on the road

On loan striker Ellis Remy earned Redbridge not only their first win of the Conference South season but also their first win away from home in the league since last November's 3-0 triumph at Kettering Town.

Redbridge manager Craig Edwards made five changes to the line up that started the 4-1 midweek loss to Grays Athletic. In came Richard Halle, Yohance Lewis, Deji Davies, new signing Simon Ford and loanee Remy for Kevin Stephens, Jay Murray, Chris Perkins, Alex Fiddes and the released KK Opara.

The home side created the first real chance of the game in the third minute when Danny Chapman found himself unmarked deep inside the Redbridge penalty area only to shoot straight at keeper Jamie Lunan.

Two minutes later Redbridge made Eastbourne pay for the miss when a long throw from Ford was well received and shielded by Davies who turned the Boro defence to tee up Poole who slotted home from close range.

Barely a minute later Davies was put through on goal by strike partner Remy but was foiled by a last ditch tackle from Chapman when bearing down on goal.

After 13 minutes, Eastbourne nearly equalised when a huge throw by Harris was met with a powerful header by Matt Crabb forcing Lunan into a fine save to his left.

Redbridge were looking a far different side to the one that lost in Midweek, with Davies and Remy causing the Boro defence major concerns with their height, strength and mobility whilst Richard Halle produced an immense performance at the heart of the defence.

In the 32nd minute Allan McLeod brought down Eastbourne winger Danny Simmonds and though the Boro players appealed for a penalty the referee adjudged the offence occurred on the very edge of the box. Five minutes into added time at the end of the first half Eastbourne should have scored. A long ball from the back found Harris whose shot was saved well by Lunan and Darren Pearce following up saw his shot cannon off the upright.

Redbridge had the better of the early chances in the second half. Two minutes after the restart the dangerous Davies latched on to a long clearance from Lunan but fired over the bar. In the 52nd minute the same player headed over the bar after Yohance Lewis cut in from the right and delivered a pinpoint cross.

Redbridge got just reward for their inventive play when they doubled their lead in the 57th minute. Midfielder Greg Lincoln threaded an accurate ball through to Remy who chipped the onrushing Hook from 20 yards.

Frustration seemed to be creeping into Eastbourne's play; Crabb was lucky to get away with just a booking when he looked to have kicked the floored Lewis by the touchline.

Though two nil to the good, manager Edwards demanded more of his team. This was illustrated when sensing striker Davies was tiring he asked "Deji, are you OK?" to which the striker nodded to the affirmative, "Well work harder then!" was Edwards' response.

Davies had a great opportunity to put the match out of the reach of Eastbourne when substitute Darryl Plummer's first involvement was a cross from the right which Davies didn't quite make full contact with when the goal was gaping. Davies received a nasty cut to his head for his troubles but after treatment managed to continue.

Sensing that they were still in with a chance of earning something from the game, Eastbourne upped the ante and went close when substitute Richard Brady shot at Lunan after an excellent through ball from Stuart Tuck and Harris fired over the bar after the dangerous Crabb ran at the heart of the Redbridge defence.

The 79th minute saw Eastbourne get back into the game when Harris was fouled inside the penalty area by the otherwise outstanding Halle. Harris then dusted himself down to fire the penalty to Lunan's right.

Eastbourne put the Redbridge defence under pressure for the final stages of the match and thought they had equalised in the 88th minute when Crabb's cross found Harris who fired past Lunan. Celebrations were short lived and the music unceremoniously cut when the referee disallowed the goal for offside after spotting his assistants flag.

Redbridge then managed to keep the hosts at bay for the remaining few minutes of normal time and condemn Eastbourne to their third successive defeat of the season.

Redbridge manager Craig Edwards was "pleased with the performance" and felt that the Motormen would "only get better" as the season progressed. He was particularly pleased with the performance from the new strike partnership of Deji Davies and Ellis Remy: "For the first time this season we've caused real problems up front," he said.

Edwards withdrew Davies (85th minute) and Remy (72nd minute) as both were tiring. Davies was playing in his first game back after a hamstring injury and Remy has not completed a competitive 90 minutes since last season.

Edwards also praised centre back Richard Halle saying that he "was Fantastic" and "showed great strength and won every tackle." Redbridge now look forward to their next league game with Hornchurch at the Oakside on Tuesday.

Eastbourne Borough:
Lee Hook, Darren Baker, Stuart Tuck, Danny Chapman (90min subbed), Stuart Playford (46min subbed), Matt Piper (67min subbed), Danny Simmonds, Darren Pearce (c), Scott Ramsay, Richard Harris, Matt Crabb subs:- Ollie Rowland (90min sub), Simon Green (not used), Matt Smart (46min sub), Richard Brady (67min sub), Simon Rowland (not used)

Redbridge FC:
Jamie Lunan, Simon Ford, Allan McLeod (c), Ben Lewis, Richard Halle, Greg Lincoln, Yohance Lewis, Craig Edwards, Deji Davies (85min subbed), Glenn Poole, Ellis Remy (72min subbed) subs:- Chris Perkins (not used), David Bull (not used), Darryl Plummer (72min sub), Alex Fiddes (85min sub), Kevin Stephens (not used)

Bookings: Greg Lincoln (Redbridge), Matt Crabb (Eastbourne)

Officials
Referee: Mr T Ingram
Assistant: Mr A Patel
Assistant: Mr N A Lugg


Attendance: 533