SOUTH: Hawks and bugs can't deny Redbridge

Redbridge FC 3 - Poole 21, 51, Sangore 76
Havant and Waterlooville 1 - Perkins og 61

Written by Jeremy Hill

After losing their first four league games at the Oakside this season, Redbridge registered their third successive home win thanks to a Glenn Poole brace and a goal on league debut by substitute Joumaint Sangore.

Most of the Redbridge squad had been affected by a stomach bug throughout the week and Craig Edwards had Greg Lincoln, Alex Fiddes and Andy Douglas unavailable due to injury. Nicky Wilson made his debut for the Motormen between the goalposts and former Barnet player Helder Valdez was handed his first team debut after impressing with the reserves. The void left by central midfielders Fiddes and Lincoln's absence was filled by Poole with Valdez starting on the left of midfield.

Both sides had to contest the game in driving rain for much of the afternoon and conditions became more boggy as the relentless rain continued. The Hawks had the first opportunity of note when David Town's cross was met by a strong Brett Poate header which was directed straight at keeper Nicky Wilson. At the other end Liam Francis's ball up the line was nodded inside by Jay Murray to Ben Lewis who fired over Emmet Peyton's bar.

Redbridge took the lead in the 21st minute when former Barnet player Helder Valdez's sliced shot fell kindly for Jay Murray and his low drive hit the inside of the upright. A well-placed Poole was the first player to react and fired home from close range.

A frantic few minutes then took place with the Hawks coming close to getting on level terms. Tom Jordan was agonisingly close to connecting with a Neil Champion free kick when well placed, and Town should have done better than hitting the side-netting when he capitalised on hesitation in the Redbridge defence with Wilson stranded.

Redbridge boss Craig Edwards's injury woes continued when he was forced to replace Yohance Lewis with the impressive Valdez who suffered a groin strain.

Five minutes before half time the visitors had another great opportunity to get on level terms. A succession of Hawks corners resulted in a Poate shot ricocheting off the upright from close range.

Six minutes into the second half Poole doubled the home side's lead. Ellis Remy miscontrolled the ball but it fell kindly to Yohance Lewis who fed Poole on the left hand side of the penalty area. Poole then unleashed a fierce shot that beat Peyton on its way to the top right corner.

Despite this setback the visitors were still asking questions of the Redbridge defence. Wilson did well to tip over a Poate header in the 60th minute, but the spell of pressure paid off when the resulting corner ended up in the back of the net after a James Taylor shot cannoned off the post onto the unfortunate Chris Perkins. A minute later Peyton got down well to a Ben Lewis strike to turn it round the post for a corner.

In the 76th minute Redbridge gave themselves a two-goal cushion when substitute Sangore played a 1-2 with Ben Lewis to run on and slide past Peyton. Sangore's fist Redbridge goal was met with jubilation from his large following of friends and family. Sangore, who came on as a second half substitute for the sick Allan McLeod displayed his confidence two minutes later when he fired over Peyton's bar from 25 yards.

The Hawks plugged away until the final whistle and had further opportunities to pull a goal back, but Wilson's goal remained intact and sent the home crowd home happy and the Redbridge players dashing to the changing room for their Pepto-Bismol.

Redbridge: Wilson, Stephens, Francis, Perkins, Halle, Valdez (Y.Lewis 37), McLeod (c) (Sangore 46), Edwards, Ben Lewis, Poole, Murray (Remy 46). Subs not used: Bull, Madiokoka.

Havant & Waterlooville: Peyton, Jones, Chewing, Champion (c), Jordan, Campbell (Blake 79), Town, Sharp, Holdsworth (Pearce), Taylor, Poate. Subs not used: Ford, Howells, Pitcher.

Attendance: 121

Redbridge hold off plucky Generals

FA Youth Cup Third Round Qualifying Round
Redbridge FC U18's 3 Davies 25, McArthy 74 (pen), Parker 76
Chesham United U18's 0

Glenn Poole's classy under 18's managed to overcome a spirited Chesham United side and win through to the draw for the First Round proper of the FA Youth Cup.

The young Motormen were frustrated by the well organised visitors during the opening 20 minutes being reduced to only half chances for both Petri Elbi and Kenny Davies.

Redbridge took the lead on 25 minutes when Davies converted Jerreau McArthy's cross from the left. The visitors then had a 10-minute spell in which they were desperately unlucky not to get on level terms. Firstly, Robin Pleadon found space inside the Redbridge area and shot wide of Sam Bird's upright. Christian Adam then forced an excellent save from Bird after he latched onto a through ball from Sam Hamer.

The 34th minute saw defender Ben Alexander hit the woodwork when he rose above the Redbridge defence to meet a Hamer corner. four minutes later Robin Pleadon also hit the woodwork with a rasping shot that beat Bird to his left. At the other end Elbi was denied by a great last ditch tackle after latching on to a Dean Neville pass and Neville himself shot straight at Dickenson from 25 yards after joining another attack.

Redbridge started the second half brightly Elbi scuffing his shot wide after latching onto a Bobby Dinnen through ball, and a well-worked one-two between McArthy and Elbi resulted in an excellent saving challenge by Mitchell Woodward.

In the 57th minute Poole brought on Charlie Parker for Keke St Hillaire and the Motormen looked much more dangerous with the Essex FA representative spearheading the attack. A minute after coming on Parker was thwarted by a good covering challenge by Ed Chemlal after a long kick by Bird was flicked on by McArthy.

The last half-hour saw Redbridge have their best spell of the game. Dickenson collected at the second attempt after Carl Conways shot from a Garry Skerrit pass, Parker hit the back of the net in the 66th minute after a Clydie Roberts pass only for the linesman to flag for offside and Dickenson managed to push a McArthy shot round the post after the frontman tried his luck from the right hand side of the penalty area.

It seemed only a matter of time before the Motormen added to their tally and they were rewarded for their creative play when Parker was brought down by Alexander in the penalty area. McArthy stepped up to coolly slot home the finish from the spot. Parker was rewarded for being a constant pain in Chesham's side when he latched onto yet another pinpoint Clydie Roberts pass to hold off the challenge of Alexander and slip the ball past Dickenson.

The visitors kept plugging away but the hosts looked the more likely to add to their tally with Parker having three more opportunities, one of which rebounded off the upright after Toussaint's pass.

Redbridge now look for an attractive draw against league opposition in the first round proper.

Redbridge: Bird, Neville (c), Chapman, Roberts, Dinnen, Davies, Conway, Skerritt, McArthy (Toussaint), Elbi (Parker 57), St Hillaire (Moza) Subs not used: Brennan, Holloway.