Friday football returned to a wet Oakside as the Motormen hosted Clapton with the home side knowing a point would take them back to the summit of the ESL

Clapton meanwhile arrived on the back of a series of heavy defeats and certainly would have wanted to keep things tight early on however it was straight to plan B after just two minutes as from a corner the loose ball made its way to Joe Elliott who drilled home into the far corner.

It was a fast start to the game for the home side with Michael Pindy already looking dangerous out on the right with his trickery and pace, he saw his cross come shot almost catch out Clapton keeper Alex Reed,

Clapton came out their half for the first time as Khyreece Smith-Reid got down the right flank before putting over a cross but there was nobody in a white shirt to be found.

Back at the other end and a defensive error allowed in Samraj Gill, he squared into Miles Peterkin who looked certain to score but he chose to shoot first time only succeeding in blasting over.

It was however two soon after when a slick passing move saw the ball quickly moved from one side of the pitch to another before a cross from Solomon Ogunwomoju found the unmarked Pindy who made no mistake from close range.

Clapton had a sniff at the other end when from a corner Joshua Hayward sneaked in at the far post unmarked but could only strike wide in a crowded six-yard area.

Defensively Clapton were the creators of their own downfall as once again they gave away possession in their own half this time allowing Peterkin to run in on goal just firing wide of the upright.

The chances were coming thick and fast for Redbridge and it was no surprise when they grabbed a third, Pindy broke free before looking up and passing into the box finding the run of Samraj Gill who met it first time dispatching past Reed.

Peterkin nearly got in on the scoring himself as he stole the ball in front of Reed and it was only for a last gasp defensive block which denied a fourth goal, the home side however did not have to wait long as the next goal duly arrived.

Peterkin got in behind his marker receiving the ball before taking a sublime first touch to take him away from another defender before emphatically dispatching past a helpless Reed in goal.

The half time whistle could not come soon enough for the away side who would certainly need to regroup.

The second period took a while to get going and dropped off somewhat in tempo as the continued heavy rain made conditions difficult.

Clapton having made a series of substitutions looked more dangerous and a good cross from wide man Max Murariu tried to find attacker Victor Ferrini but he was unable to get himself in the right position to connect.

Redbridge then came up field having made some changes of their own and one of those in Tony Martin found himself in the right place to get on the end of an Ogunwomoju cross slotting home from close range.

Reed in goal was having a good game regardless of the score line and he made a series of good saves including a full length dive to deny a powerful drive from Gil as he parried to safety

With time running out there was still time for Redbridge to score a sixth as new signing Daniel Okah slotted a ball into the path of Martin who rounded Reed before calmly slotting home

Full time was then called, a good 3 points for the Motormen which takes them back top whilst for Clapton it’s a case of back to the drawing board as they remain at the bottom reaches of the table.

report by Adam Silver