FA TROPHY: Redbridge through as Edwards leads by example

Written by Jeremy Hill

FA TROPHY 2nd ROUND
Redbridge FC 1 (Edwards 69 pen) Weymouth 0

Redbridge skipper Craig Edwards coolly slotted home a 69th minute penalty to send the Motormen through into the 3rd round of the FA Trophy.

Weymouth started the first half the stronger of the two sides yet didn't really test Nicky Wilson in the Redbridge goal. Ian Hutchinson flicked on for Kirk Jackson in the 11th minute but the Terras striker could only fire straight at Wilson. Five minutes later Jackson returned the favour and Hutchinson saw his shot deflected wide.

Redbridge had to wait until the 18th minute for their first shot at goal when a good spell of possession resulted in Richard Thomas firing straight at Jason Matthews in the Weymouth goal.

The Motormen were finding their stride and Thomas held off Hutchinson to feed Yohance Lewis down the right hand side. His deep cross to the back post was met by Helder Valdez who headed narrowly wide.

There were chances at both ends during the ten minutes prior to half time as both teams looked to go into the break with the advantage.

Chris Wild was at the end of a Lewis corner to head down for debutant Lloyd Opara who fired over from inside the 6-yard box when it looked easier to score. At the other end, Adam Wilde's corner found Lee Phillips who headed narrowly wide of the Motormen's goal.

Opara then had another opportunity when his smart back-heel was scrambled off the line and Mangodza shot over the bar when he should have perhaps hit the target.

As with the start of first half, Weymouth started the brighter of the two sides but were unable to create any real chances of note in the opening exchanges. This was epitomised in the 58th minute when a long period of possession resulted in Browne giving away the ball needlessly.

The Motormen went close in the 65th minute when Craig Edwards saw his header from a Lewis corner cleared off the line.

Redbridge were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when Browne was adjudged to have pulled Julian Edwards back; Steve Tully was booked for dissent during the visitor's protests. Craig Edwards assumed responsibility to step up and send Matthews the wrong way.

Redbridge had their backs to the wall in the last 15 minutes after Ricky Dobson was sent off for a second yellow card after tugging back Mark Boyce.

Despite constant pressure Weymouth were unable to breach the Redbridge goal even though Simon Browne nearly made up for conceding the penalty when his header was cleared off the line in the 90th minute.

Star man: Chris Wild (Redbridge)

Redbridge: Nicky Wilson, Dean Neville, Ricky Dobson (sent off 75), Shane Mangodza, Chris Wild, Richard Thomas, Yohance Lewis (Tom Davey 83), Craig Edwards (c), Julian Edwards, Lloyd Opara (Jay Murray 63), Helder Valdez (Richard Halle 76) subs not used: Djoumaint Sangare, David Bull
Booked: Ricky Dobson (clumsy challenge on Waterman and pulling back Boyce: yellow + yellow = red), Chris Wild (pulling back Jackson)

Weymouth: Jason Matthews, Steve Tully, Simon Browne, Dave Waterman, Matt Bound (c), Jamie Gosling (Shaun Wilkinson 69), Mark Boyce, Ian Hutchinson (Paul Gibbs 69), Kirk Jackson, Adam Wilde, Lee Phillips. Subs not used: Lee Charles, Francisco Ramos.
Booked: Steve Tully (dissent)

Referee: Mr S.D Cook

Attendance 237

Click here to read a post-match interview with one of the Redbridge management team, John Frostick

Click here to see the full draw for the FA Trophy Third round