Redbridge hosted newly promoted Sporting Bengal United in what was their first match since the departure of managers George Christou and Jack Toghli, taking charge In the home dugout was the familiar faces of Ricky Eaton and Joey May.

Proudly displaying their new kits the home line up included newly signed goalkeeper Samuel Nwabuko along with attacking midfielder Malachi Napa, both having impressed during a recent friendly.

The perfect start saw the Motormen ahead within 5 minutes as newly signed Malachi Napa cut inside from the left before curling a sublime effort into the top corner.

Bengal to their credit showed a good response to falling behind and almost levelled when Mustafa Hussein saw Nwabuko off his line but his long range attempt fell just the wrong side of the crossbar.

They were then however guilty of giving the ball away which allowed Napa to this time turn provider finding the run of Rodney Botuli who rounded Sporting keeper Sidi Haidara before calmly firing home from a tight angle to double the lead.

Redbridge continued to dominate , Abs Conten-Thompson little dink into the area finding Mekael Williams in unfamiliar territory in the penalty box who got the shot on target which was well blocked.

At the other end Hussein carried the ball forward almost slotting in Brandy Makuendi however Nwabuko was quickly out of his goal to gather.

Botuli then had a couple of opportunities go begging in-between a Joseph Elliott free-kick smash into the wall from close range after a back pass to the keeper was collected

Into the second period and the away side as expected came out looking for a quick response, they got just that as from a corner Damilola Olusesi headed home completely unmarked from close range to half the deficit.

The home side were living dangerously and on one too many occasions guilty of giving the ball away cheaply, one such time almost saw Olusesi in again only this time to be denied by Nwabuko who turned the ball behind for a corner.

It was a much stronger half from the visitors who started to look far more dangerous, at this point the next goal in the game was crucial to the potential outcome of the match.

Redbridge did almost score when Botuli showed good skill to find his way into the box and shooting only for Haidara to make the stop before showing quick reactions to stop the rebound fro Tendai Quamina.

Back at the other end and a long free kick was sent up field and within a crowded box Nwabuko got down well to make the save on the goal line.

The away side were now piling on the pressure as they went in search of the equaliser however it was the home side who got the next goal.

Quamina was too quick for defender Freddy Tandon who mistimed his tackle leaving the referee no option but to award a penalty, up stepped skipper Joseph Elliott to fire low and hard to settle any nerves

It was and should have then been a fourth for Redbridge, substitute Wesley Gomes Dos Santos ran the length of the pitch before playing in Quamina who saw his shot well saved.

Into added time and yet again another penalty was awarded in similar fashion, sub Solomon Ogunwomoju played a pass into the feet of Quamina however this time it was the goalkeeper who brought down the player.

Same player, same outcome with Elliott making no mistake from 12 yards to make the scoreline somewhat flattering overall but one the Motormen will gladly accept and with it move up the table two places into eight.

report by Adam Silver