Defeat On The Road

Redbridge made the long midweek journey to Saffron Walden Town but came back with nothing to show after a 3-1 defeat.

Micky Weatherall's Redbridge made the long midweek journey up the M11 to face Saffron Walden Town.

Goalkeeper Rhys Hughes along with defenders Jon Watson and Joe Maskell were making their debuts for the Motormen.

The early stages all belonged to the home side and the first shot saw a curling effort from ex Redbridge striker Charlie Portway well tipped over by Hughes.

It was a good save however the resulting corner taken by Spike Bell sailed straight over the goalkeepers head and into the back of the net without anyone getting a touch much to his disappointment.

The home side certainly were not sitting on their lead and quickly looked to increase their advantage when Ryan Fleming had two bites at the cherry which was eventually blocked.

Redbridge were struggling to get into their opponents box as they were defending well in numbers preventing any meaningful attacks.

At the other end and Portway was first onto a long ball down the flank before he cut inside q defender and fired low past the dive of Hughes to double his sides advantage.

It was certainly a tough ask now for a Redbridge side who had lost their last five matches however they slowly started to push forward through Larry Asare who did well in winning a corner.

Dan Gilchrist was almost then in on goal before a defender got a vital clearance.

James Crane then got into the Redbridge box and went into a challenge shoulder to shoulder with Watson before falling to the ground however any penalty appeals fell on deaf ears and the referee waved play on.

The final chance of the first half saw a shot from Kai Heather which required Neil O'Sullivan to turn behind.

Portway almost grabbed his 2nd when a lovely cross was put over into the box however he just failed to get a connection on what surely would have been a goal.

Soon after it was Portway who turned provider as he floated a ball towards the far post looking for Crane who first time saw his volley smash against a post however the flag on the far side had been raised for offside.

The home side continued to press as Portway tried a lob which sailed over before he did find the net picking up a cross field pass before tucking the ball neatly into the corner of the net past a despairing dive from Hughes.

Redbridge did grab what was to be their consolation goal when Liam Burgess floated a free kick into the box where Connor Okus was quickest to react by firing past O'Sullivan.

Crane almost restored the three goal advantage when he dispossessed Watson before running in on goal and firing wide.

That was to be the final effort of the match as the full time whistle blew leaving Redbridge still in 18th position looking over their shoulders why the hosts remain fourth.

Report by Adam Silver