Redbridge remain top with hard-fought Oakwood win

Redbridge maintained top spot in the Premier Division as they ran out victors at a windswept Fairlop, the game being more about belief and battle, rather than technical skills.

MGBSFL Premier Division:
Redbridge 2 1 Oakwood
Sunday, 15 November, 2015

After a beautifully observed minute’s silence for the madness in Paris, the game was attrition from the off, the ball was out of play and in the air for much of the game.

There were a number of half chances in the first half for Redbridge with James Berkley and Sam Sollosi both denied by smart goalkeeping, while Daniel Brown missed when the ball landed at his feet two yards from goal.

Half-time came and the important thing for Redbridge was to go in 0-0 and come out fighting having restricted Oakwood to zero chances.

The wind was still playing havoc with any through balls or dead ball situations in the second half, but out of the blue , Oakwood scored . A mistake out on the Redbridge left saw the ball ricochet back to the striker and with his second chance, he drove it home. Brad Grant then kept Redbridge in the game, producing two outstanding saves.

The equaliser came from the Redbridge right and the wind certainly played its part, Ryan Cole using the conditions well to bend the ball away from the despairing dive of the Oakwood goalkeeper. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the Oakwood team and Redbridge were now in the ascendancy. With five minutes to, a superb through ball by Ryan Cole found last season’s top scorer, Garfinkle with a 40 yard dash towards goal. He took aim from 15 yards out and smashed it home to the keeps right. Cue massive celebrations from players and bench to celebrate a massive goal and what turned out to be a massive show of intent from Redbridge, we don’t know when we are beaten.

Redbridge manager Jon Jacobs said: “A draw would have been a fair result on the day, but I’m just delighted with the commitment and passion of my squad , they wear the Redbridge shirt with a lot of pride and the win was just rewards for keeping going.”