SOUTH: Redbridge notch up third successive league win

Written by Jeremy Hill

St Albans City 2 (Elphick 44, Clarke 81)
Redbridge 3 (Edwards 33, Thomas 51, Lewis 84)

Yohance Lewis's deft chip over Saints stopper Paul Bastock with six minutes remaining was enough to seal the points for the Motormen as they moved up to thirteenth position in the Nationwide Conference South.

St Albans started the better of the two teams in the early stages without causing the returning Alex O'Reilly any major problems until the 14th minute when Ben Martin headed straight at him from a Matt Hann free kick.

Seven minutes later Nick Roddis should have hit the target with his shot from the edge of the area after Lee Clarke had started a move with a delightful ball to Matt Nolan.

Redbridge's best chance of the opening half hour came in the 28th minute when Lloyd Opara's strength created a chance for Saturday's hat-trick hero Julian Edwards. The Redbridge striker's left foot shot was well saved low down by Bastock.

Five minutes later Redbridge took the lead. After the home side initially cleared a free kick from the left, Craig Edwards rose above the Saints defence to head the ball into namesake Julian's path and the Motormen's striker coolly slotted the ball home.

The visitors went close to extending their lead when Shayne Mangodza headed a delightful Lewis free kick on for defensive partner Chris Wild who wasn't able to get enough power on the ball to trouble Bastock.

Perhaps sensing that going into the interval two goals down would prove an unassailable deficit in the second half, the hosts upped the ante for the remaining minutes of the first half and went close on two occasions before their 45th minute equaliser.

A dangerous run by Tom Davis down the right hand side resulted in him looking to exchange passes with Clarke into the Redbridge area. The Motormen defence stood firm on this occasion and were able to clear their lines of the danger. Gary Elphick then headed another Matt Hann free kick straight at O'Reilly and just as the half time cups of teas were being poured, the same player managed to convert a Scott Cousins corner from the left.

As on Saturday against Dorchester, Redbridge boss Craig Edwards must have delivered a stirring half time team talk as the Motormen came out for the second half the stronger of the two sides.

In the opening five minutes Saints defender Ben Martin made two crucial interventions as he halted a good run by Opara and then went on to excellently cut out a pass from Helder Valdez intended for Edwards.

Redbridge's lively start to the half was rewarded when Richard Thomas' run at the heart of the hosts defence resulted in the Motormen midfielder finding a way past Bastock from outside the area. Thomas had been looking to feed a striker, but on deciding to try his luck must have been delighted to find the net against his old club.

The Saints then created two chances in three minutes in an attempt to once again get themselves on level terms. Clarke wriggled free of the Redbridge defence after receiving Parker's ball on the edge of the penalty area but was thwarted by another low O'Reilly save. Clarke then carried the ball from his own half into a position where he was able to unleash a shot which was comfortable picked up by the Redbridge 'keeper.

If St Albans were to get back on level terms the smart money was on the goal being provided by Clarke who was clearly the Saints main threat and went close twice more before snatching a 81st minute equaliser.

Clarke headed Hann's corner home as the Redbridge defence let the Saints dangerman go unopposed.

Immediately from the kick-off at the other end, Lewis very nearly regained the lead but his control let him down when it mattered most and Bastock was able to claim the loose ball.

Redbridge's move of the match resulted in the points returning with the team to the Oakside. Another strong run on the right by Opara got him in behind the Saints back line and when his pull back went behind Julian Edwards, Lewis was on hand to sublimely chip the onrushing Bastock.

The Motormen now look to make it four league wins out of four when they entertain Welling this Saturday.

St Albans: Paul Bastock. James Gibson, Scott Cousins, Nick Roddis (Tom Beech), Ben Martin, Gary Elphick, Matt Hann, Adam Parker (Ben Walshie), Matt Nolan (Ram Marwa), Lee Clarke, Tom Davis. Subs not used: Chris Seeby, John Armand.
Sent off: Scott Cousins (booked for tangle with Opara when taking throw-in and again for late challenge on Dobson)

Redbridge: Alex O'Reilly, Dean Nevill, Ricky Dobson, Shayne Mangodza, Chris Wild, Richard Thomas, Yohance Lewis, Craig Edwards, Julian Edwards, Lloyd Opara (Dean Bradshaw 87), Helder Valdez (Djoumaint Sangare 67). Subs not used: Patrick Omgba, Richard Halle, Tom Davey