SOUTH: Redbridge 0 Lewes 1

Lucky Lewes frustrate Motormen
by Jeremy Hill (Press secretary, Redbridge FC)

Redbridge 0 Lewes 1 - Kadi (11)

Lewes manager Steve King can thank his lucky stars that his side left the Oakside with anything at all as the hosts missed a series of opportunities to gain anything from this match.

The early exchanges were shared with Alex Fiddes seeing two efforts blocked before Allan McLeod pulled his shot wide of Scott Wards goal. At the other end a short free kick from Junior Kadi found Barrington Belgrave who made inroads into the Redbridge defence before having a shot deflected wide of Alex O'Reilly's goal.

The resulting corner was put out of harms way by Richard Halle, but the second corner dangerous whipped in by Dwain Clarke was punched by O'Reilly under pressure. The clearance fell for Kadi on the edge of the box who drilled home through the crowded penalty area.

From the 20th minute onwards Redbridge took a stranglehold on the game but were unable to find a way past Ward. In the 25th minute Stephens' excellent cross from the right was shepherded on by Lincoln and the unmarked Ellis Remy put his header wide and high of the upright when unmarked

Lewes went close to a second when referee Beevor got in the way of a Lincoln clearance and the ball fell for Barry Moore whose shot was deflected wide.

Redbridge had their best chance of the half in the 27th minute when Craig Edwards hit the post from 18 yards after being teed up by Remy.

Another excellent chance for the Motormen was soon to follow when Poole's shot from McLeod's pass was saved by Ward after the midfielder had stolen into the 6 yard box.

In the 33rd minute a quick free kick from McLeod to Poole fizzed across the penalty area with Remy tantalisingly close to making contact at the back post.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with Redbridge carving out the better opportunities but were frustratingly unable to find a way past Ward.

Some shocking decisions by the Assistant Referee also added to the frustration of Redbridge manager Craig Edwards, one of which was when Remy was controversially flagged offside when put clean through by Lincoln.

In the 66th minute a great move involving Poole, Remy and McLeod resulted in Lincoln firing straight at Ward.

At the other end Belgrave managed to get the better of Chris Perkins but fellow centre half Richard Halle made the saving challenge.

Edwards brought on striker Jay Murray in the 64th minute to try and add firepower and in the 76th minute this move nearly paid dividends as he had a good shot from the right hand side well saved by Ward.

As more time passed without a goal Edwards made a further attacking move by bringing on Deji Davies and Ben Lewis for Remy and McLeod, meaning his side were operating with 3 strikers.

Murray went close again after latching on to a neat pass from Poole, however the Motormen's impetuous was severely affected when Ward required treatment on an injury for close to 4 minutes.

In the dying minutes the two substitutes Lewis and Murray combined but again the shot went wide of Ward's upright.

Redbridge now look to gain their first home win of the season on Tuesday night with the visit of fellow strugglers St Albans City. The Saints are one point and three places ahead of the Motormen in the Conference South and lost to Eastbourne Borough 1-0 on Saturday, a team Redbridge beat 2-1 earlier in the season.

Redbridge FC: O'Reilly, Stephens, Francis, Perkins, Halle, Lincoln, Fiddes, Edwards, McLeod, Poole, Remy. Subs: Lewis (B), Bull, Davies, Lewis (Y), Murray

Lewes: Ward, Lovett, Fieldwick, Vines, Hustwick, Watts, Cornwall, Moore, Belgrave, Kadi, Clarke. Subs: Newman, Storey, Haughton, Duku, Adenyi

Referee: R Beevor
Assstant 1: N.D West
Assistant 2: P.J Wilson

Attendance: 135