New Era Starts With Defeat

Micky Wetherall started life as Redbridge manager with a 1-0 defeat against Takeley but will take plenty of positives out of the performance

A new era began at the Oakside as new manager Micky Wetherall took charge for the first time as he tried to change the Motormen’s fortunes and get them moving up the table.

Standing in their way were an inform Takeley side sitting 3rd in the table with promotion ambitions and it was the away side who started the quickest and looked to attack from the off through striker Josh Sykes.

It was the home side who had the first chance when new signing Connor Okus saw his shot saved down low by Ronnie Yates. They should have gone in front when a good chance was spurned by Samuel Phillips after Vladut Sighiratau’s initial shot was parried and fell straight into his path.

The first chance for Takeley fell to Andre Humphrey as his shot was well saved by Lewis Greene before Sykes thought he had scored when after showing good composure in the box he saw his effort blocked on the line by Marcus Carter.

It was Sykes once again causing problems for the home defence as he got in front of his man and was first to react to a cross but his header was caught by Greene.

The away side came forward again after Alex Martin disposed his man before running into the area and unleashing a powerful drive which was carried away by Greene who was certainly the busier of the two keepers thus far.

Redbridge started to get on top and came forward with Phillips winning a corner which was swung in finding Okus at the far post who saw his effort blocked before the ball fell at the feet of striker Dan Gilchrist who could only managed to fire wide.

On two occasions they were guilty of not releasing the ball early enough which led to their attacks breaking down allowing Takeley to clear the danger. They then put together a nice passing move ending at the feet of Phillips but his touch was too heavy and allowed for a defender to clear.

With halt time looming and against the run of play Takeley took the lead when a long ball was flicked onto Jason Todd who poked home, it was a cruel blow to the home side who felt unfortunate to come in at the break losing.

The first chance of the second period came when Redbridge were awarded a free kick after Sighiratau was tripped, Okus took the resulting kick which drifted just wide.

Gilchrist then saw his drive deflected out for a corner before he then saw his effort well turned over by the diving Yates.
Takeley then came forward and had a chance when Todd stole the ball from Dean Hall and ran down on goal but saw his shot go wide of the target.

A let off followed for the home side as Sykes played through Oguntuga who looked likely to score but for a good challenge by Liam Burgess which saw the ball fall invitingly at the feet of Mason Page but his shot was well blocked and went out for a corner.

Oguntuga then stopped believing he was offside only for the referee to wave play on , he continued his run before cutting inside a defender only to have his shot saved.

A defensive mix up then saw a Takeley player pulled down to the ground by Greene and the referee had no hesitation in sending him from the field. With all the home substitutions already made one of their changes Taylor Tombides picked up the gloves and went in goal.

His first job was to try and save the resulting penalty taken by goal scorer Todd and he did just that as he saved down to his right denying a second goal for Takeley.

Several minutes of injury time were then played but Redbridge were not able to get the equaliser as the full time whistle was blown and although the game ended in defeat Micky Wetherall will be able to take the positives out of an improved performance in their fight against relegation.

report by Adam Silver