SOUTH: Redbridge 2 St Albans 1
Motormen made to battle for first home win
Written by Jeremy Hill
Redbridge FC 2 - Fiddes (25), McLeod (35)
St Albans City 1 - Clarke (47)
Redbridge were able to withstand an improved second half St Albans performance to gain their first home win of the season and move to 17th position in the Nationwide Conference South.
The game didn't come into life until the 10th minute. A long Alex O'Reilly clearance found its way through to Ellis Remy who produced a deft lob over onrushing keeper Mel Cappleton but saw it drop agonisingly over the bar.
Barley a minute later at the other end St Albans nearly took advantage as Redbridge contested a free kick. Adam Smith quickly released winger Gary Wraight and his cross for Miguel De Souza was headed just over the bar.
The Motormen were slow out of first gear as St Albans enjoyed the better play in the first 25 minutes with their passing and movement catching the eye. The Motormen were restricted to playing the ball into lone striker Remy and sending forward bodies from midfield to support but the Saints defence seemed to cope with this comfortably.
Perhaps sniffing goals, the Saints midfield foursome of Smith, Wraight, Parker and Walshe were so keen to support the strikers that boss Steve Castle sent on specific orders for them to ensure they were giving enough cover to the defence.
Redbridge dealt the Saints an almighty blow in the 25th minute when Greg Lincoln released Remy down the right hand side, he carried the ball deep inside St Albans territory and crossed for Glenn Poole. Poole unselfishly teed up the supporting Alex Fiddes who hammered home his first goal of the season and the first Redbridge goal at the Oakside for 200 minutes.
The goal seemed to lift Redbridge's game and they began to illustrate some neat football.
Chances were few and far between during the next ten minutes until Redbridge doubled their lead in the 35th minute. Again, Remy was released, this time down the left hand side of the pitch, his cross found skipper Allan McLeod who netted from close range.
Two minutes later the two goalscorers combined when McLeod played Fiddes in behind the St Albans defence with a great diagonal pass, however the dynamic midfielder could only steer his shot wide of the upright.
Perhaps sensing that a goal before half time was crucial to the outcome of the game the Saints put pressure on the Motormen's goal. De Souza was superbly thwarted by Richard Halle, and Richard Thomas shot high and wide after latching on to a pass across the Redbridge penalty area from Smith.
Saints boss Steve Castle made a half time substitution when winger Matt Hann replaced Smith. Hann moved out to the right hand side with Wraight switching to a more central role.
The substitution paid off immediately with Hann's first action being when he was released midway into the Motormen's half. His pinpoint cross was met by Lee Clarke who headed past O'Reilly at the near post.
Redbridge created two opportunities in quick succession. McLeods cross from the right was met by the leaping Poole who couldn't quite get over the ball and saw it sail over Capeltons goal. Shortly after, Poole was played in by Craig Edwards and tried his luck from the angle only to shoot straight at Capelton.
St Albans seemed to step up a gear but frustration was also creeping into their play with bookings to Wraight and Clarke. Wraight's for a particularly nasty looking late tackle on Poole.
A flick on from Wraight nearly found De Souza in a dangerous position but again Halle managed to shepherd the ball back to O'Reilly and De Souza headed wide when he should have done better from Walshe's cross from the left.
In the final minutes a scuffed clearance from Halle was picked up by Wraight who fed De Souza but Chris Perkins managed to clear the danger. The Saints final opportunity of the match fell again for target man De Souza as he met a Thomas cross from the left at the back post but could only head wide.
The Motormen's fans will be pleased with their teams first home victory of the season. Richard Halle again produced a first rate performance which illustrated why he has caused a wedge between the central defensive partnership of Perkins and Lewis. In only his second game for the Motormen Liam Francis impressed and did particularly well to stifle the threat of lively substitute Matt Hann in the second half. The Redbridge midfield again provided an athletic, non-stop display as well providing the winning goals for the second time this season.
Redbridge next travel to Gander Green Lane on Saturday where they meet 16th placed Sutton United who are yet to win at home this season.
Redbridge: O'Reilly, Stephens, Francis, Perkins, Halle, Lincoln (B Lewis), Fiddes, Edwards, McLeod, Poole, Remy (Murray): Subs not used: Bull, Y Lewis, St Hilaire.
Bookings: Fiddes (90)
St Albans City: Capelton, Hooper (Attwood), Thomas, Smith (Hann), Martin (Seeby), Zoricich, Wraight, Parker, Clarke, De Souza, Walshe: Subs not used : Robinson, Riley
Bookings: De Souza (40), Wraight (52), Clarke (56)
Referee: Mr J Hayto
Assistants: Mr R.P Whitton, Mr T.Conlon
Attendance: 115
