Redbridge hosted their first match of 2025 as they welcomed chasing Bury Town to the Techsoc.com stadium.

Taking charge for the first time in the home dugout was goalkeeper Connor Wheatley assisted by defender Henry Day who stepped in after previous interim managers Ricky Eaton and Joey May decided to step down following the New Year day defeat at Newmarket Town.

In a changed line up, Solomon Ogunwomou returned to the side which also featured young defender Jimi Feeley whilst the experience Ronnie Winn who had recently taken a break from the game made an appearance due to an injury hit squad, on the bench was Soumen Nandi and James Barlow themselves only just getting back to fitness.

It was a lively start to the match from both sides who immediately looked to go on the attack.

An early chance for the home side, Feeley put over a teasing cross finding Fotsing Pitoula Waba but the striker took too long to get his shot away and the chance soon went.

Bury then came forward for the first time in the game, Ryan Horne shooting wide from some way out before keeper Samuel Nwabuko was called upon for the first time this afternoon turning away a Max Maughn effort.

He had to be alert once again soon after as this time Maugh turned provider finding the run of Cemal Ramadan who saw his shot turned behind for a corner.

Redbridge withstood that early pressure and came forward with a nice passing move which resulted in the opening goal , a ball was played across into the path of James Love however he left it for Pitoula Wabo who calmly slotted home past the dive of Charlie Beckwith.

A lucky escape then followed for the home side , Mikey Davis saw his cross from the left blocked only for the resulting shot to deflect off a defender up over the dive of Nwabuko only to hit the crossbar and bounce down away to safety.

In an entertaining encounter the play was now back at the other end, Jack Chawner seeing his long range effort well tipped behind by Beckwith at full stretch.

A big chance then followed for the Motormen, a short kick out from Beckwith to defender Lewis O'Malley was intercepted by Ogunwomoju who rather than go for goal himself played the ball across to Pitoula Wabo who saw his effort saved, the ball eventually found it's way back out wide to Feeley who saw his deep cross almost sneak in at the far post.

It was the best spell of the game for the home side however they were almost caught out when Ed Upston saw his shot heading for the far corner only to be clawed away by Nwabuko

Just as when it appeared Redbridge would see out their lead to the break they conceded a penalty, a foul right on the edge of the penalty area was at first not given by the referee however he then decided to check with his assistant on the far side before coming to the decision that a spot kick be awarded

Cemal Ramadan stepped up sending Nwabuko the wrong way to level the score.

Into the second period and the first chance fell to Redbridge, Malachi Napa running down the left before seeing his cut back find Love who curled an effort wide.

At the other end Ramadan miscued a shot before Bury Town found themselves in front, Upson some distance out saw Nwabuko slighly off his line and his perfectly executed shot flew over him and came down off the bar into the back of the net.

Mikey Davis then fired wide through a crowded Redbridge penalty area whilst at the other end Joseph Elliott brought the ball forward exchanging passes with a team mate before getting in a shot which Beckwith could only palm away , unfortunately there was nobody in a blue shirt to follow up.

Bury then had a spell of possession and almost went further ahead but Nwanuko not for the first time made an important stop from Ramadan first time shot.

Further chances came and went for the away side who were able to prevent any further opportunities from Redbridge and saw the game out picking up an important win.

A disappointing afternoon as Redbridge suffered a 5th consecutive defeat however should take something away from the game in what overall was a good performance

report by Adam Silver