Match report: Redbridge 1-3 Cambridge City

Cambridge City made the short trip to Essex to take on Redbridge for the second time this season. The two teams had met previously in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round, which the Lilywhites won on penalties after the match had ended 1-1.

Both teams had been in action during the week. City played on Tuesday night, taking on newly promoted Mulbarton Wanderers, and walking away with all 3 points after a 2-1 victory. Redbridge played on the Monday and managed to beat Concord Rangers at home, 3-2, while playing the final minutes against ten players.

Referee Joseph Gray got the match underway and the first goal came instantly. A City throw led to a cross from Charlie Norman, which Jayden Randell headed back into the path of Fletcher Toll and the striker spun coolly to sweep the ball into the net, via a deflection and the crossbar.

City could've had a second just four minutes later. Freddie Hockey was left one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper and Lewis Greene had to be sharp to keep the score at 1-0.

However, it wasn't long before City got their second. A City free-kick was fired up long and it was Toll who picked up the pass; he then looped his shot over Greene to give his side a 2-0 lead.

City were in again after 11 minutes. Charlie Royle sent in a cross which Toll mis-kicked in his quest for his hat-trick. The loose ball was gobbled up by Travis Dodsworth, who struck his effort over the bar, much to the relief of the home fans.

Redbridge tried to start an attack by playing it at the back, but they were caught out by Royle. Royle then played a neat one-two with Jack Thompson in order to fashion a golden opportunity. Greene not only managed to save the shot, he held on to it as well.

Redbridge needed to get the next goal, and that's eventually what happened. Thompson had the ball in the middle of the park and Jack Chawner was able to pick the City man's pocket and come away with the ball. He then spotted Philp off his line and lobbed the visiting goalkeeper to give his side some hope and reduce the deficit to 2-1.

After 35 minutes it could've been 3-1 were it not for some fabulous reactions from Greene. Jaiden Babalola picked out Charlie Norman, and the cross found the feet of Toll, with the latter believing that he had scored, only for Greene to pull off a magnificent save.

Eight minutes later and it was 3-1. A long throw from Norman was aimed at the near post for Hockey to head in under pressure from the Redbridge defence. Hockey's goal was his third of the league campaign, with City now netting 24 goals in the league.

A poor back-pass from Greene nearly made it 4-1, although Greene recovered well to save Toll's shot after the striker had been given the chance for his hat-trick by Thompson.

The second half didn't have as much action in it as the first, although there was a penalty shout earlier on when Norman's cross appeared to hit Mekael Williams's arm. The referee waved away the protests, and the game carried on.

It could've been 4-1 after 57 minutes. Toll and Thompson combined well to feed in Babalola, whose cross was nodded just wide by Hockey.

A long throw for Redbridge then lead to a bit of confusion, as there was a tussle in the penalty area, referee Joseph Gray initially awarded a spot kick to the hosts. However, his assistant had waved for a free-kick to City and the decision was eventually awarded City's way.

Louie Remi had his chance after 73 minutes to add to his seven goals this season. After considerable pressure from Dodsworth, Remi was able to break free and manoeuvre himself into a shooting position. However, Remi rolled his shot wide.

Redbridge then had a free-kick after 84 minutes. The goalscorer Chawner tried his luck from the kick but his strike was comfortable for James Philp, who hadn't had to do much in the second half.

Philp was called into action not long afterwards when Emmanuel Kwatchey sent a long ball up to Fotsing Wabo, who had beaten the offside trap, and Philp was on hand at the near post to keep out the Redbridge forward.

Redbridge had the ball for the rest of the game, but couldn't find the two goals that they needed, even with ex-Lilywhite Charles Brown-Bampoe in the team, and City came away with all three points.

City have now won four of their last five away league matches; the only defeat was away to Gorleston only two weeks ago. City's win, coupled with the fact that Concord Rangers had been beaten by Wroxham, put the Lilywhites up to sixth. City will be back in action next weekend, when they take on Little Oakley, with the Lilywhites hoping to gain a third win on the spin.

Thanks as always to Connor Taylor-Creek for the match report. Photo courtesy of Ben Saich.